The Ware County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to award the county’s garbage collection and disposal contract to Ryland Environmental, selecting the company over competitor Republic Services after a detailed evaluation and public discussion.
Commissioner Jon Tindall, who made the motion to approve Ryland’s proposal, highlighted two resident- focused benefits which influenced his decision.
“The reason I wanted to go this route is I really like the benefit of a Saturday opening for the transfer station,” said Tindall. “Also, being able to haul out there 300 pounds a quarter for a year for the residents. That’s a huge benefit to all of our residents.”
A three-member staff committee evaluated both proposals using weighted criteria outlined in the county’s Request for Proposals. Categories included company experience, personnel experience, service approach, and fees.
Over all three evaluators, Across all three evaluators, Republic Services posted the higher average weighted score, earning 97.42 compared to Ryland Environmental’s 89.42. The evaluation tables in the agenda document show:
• Company experience (40 percent): Both firms scored strongly, though Republic consistently received perfect scores from evaluators.
• Personnel experience (15%): Both companies earned full marks, indicating confidence in staffing and operational capability.
• Approach (10%): Scores varied slightly, with Ryland receiving lower marks from one evaluator, but both firms were generally viewed as offering solid service plans.
• Fees (35%): This category produced the widest spread.
∞ Republic’s proposal included a $19 monthly rate, a $70/ton disposal fee, and lower return-trip charges.
∞ Ryland proposed a $19.15 monthly rate, a $60/ton disposal fee, and a higher return-trip charge. Ryland also offered a $19.65 optional rate allowing residents one free quarterly visit to the transfer station with up to 300 pounds of waste, a benefit which ultimately resonated with commissioners.
Despite Republic’s higher technical score, commissioners emphasized resident convenience and added services when casting their votes.
Ryland’s proposal also noted its rates and fee services are based on a minimum of 4,000 paying customers, a threshold that commissioners believe the county can meet.
Ryland Environmental is a Georgia-based waste management company known for serving rural and midsized communities with a focus on customer accessibility and flexible service options. The company operates multiple regional facilities and has expanded steadily across South Georgia over the past decade.
Ryland emphasizes community-oriented service models, including extended operating hours, local staffing, and programs designed to reduce illegal dumping by offering residents more disposal options. Their proposal for Ware County reflects this approach, particularly through the Saturday transfer-station hours and quarterly free disposal allotment.
Although Republic Services scored higher in the formal evaluation, commissioners unanimously selected Ryland Environmental, citing the added value to residents and improved access to disposal services.
The agenda item was approved without modification, with the board expressing confidence Ryland’s service model will better meet Ware County’s needs in the coming contract period.
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