The mayor says businesses big and small can get a piece of Springfield’s yard waste pie.

Misty Buscher says after a new five-month deal with Waste Management – approved Tuesday – is done, the city will be divided into quadrants.

“The previous contract was a citywide contract for one hauler, and it’s difficult for some companies to bid on that, because they’re not big enough to pick up yard waste for the full city,” said Buscher, “so we are breaking that contract up. We’re going to go out for bid. Any hauler can bid on it, and the bid is just for them to pick up those brown bags and take them to Evans Recycling.”

Ald. Ralph Hanauer, on the WTAX Morning Newswatch Wednesday, said it’s a result of Republic Services making demands disagreeable to the council.

Buscher says after the new five-month contract with Waste Management is over, the bids will be for one-quarter of the city.

Also, the council passed a resolution against the United States Postal Service’s plan to shift processing work from Springfield to St. Louis. Will the council’s voice do anything to change the USPS’ plans? Doubtful, as Buscher said anyone who attended last week’s meeting on the subject could see the USPS’ mind appears to be made up. But, she said, it’s important to support the local workers.