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Madison Heights begins rollout of new garbage and recycling toters; assistance available for residents with mobility issues
Summary
City officials said new toters are in use now, will be mandatory on Oct. 6, and Priority Waste — which assumed GFL accounts last June — is the contracted hauler. Residents who cannot move toters can request pickup help through the city manager’s office or DPS.
Madison Heights city officials told residents at the Aug. 25 City Council meeting that new city-issued garbage and recycling toters are available for immediate use and will be the only accepted containers beginning Oct. 6.
The change follows the transfer of service customers from GFL to Priority Waste after GFL sold to Priority Waste last June, city staff said. City Manager Marsh described the procurement and rollout at the meeting and told residents how to request assistance if they cannot move the new toters.
“You can use them now. October 6, they will be the only ones available to be used, but you can use which whatever you've been using or the new ones until October 6,” a council member said during public comment when a resident asked whether the new containers were already in service.
City Manager Marsh explained the vendor transition and procurement history: “GFL actually sold to Priority Waste last June, so we originally had planned this rollout for last summer. But then in June, GFL actually sold themselves legally to Priority Waste. So Priority Waste assumed their customers.” Marsh added that the city issued an RFP in March and that Priority Waste was the only bidder.
Marsh and other staff described a process for residents with mobility or disability needs to request curbside assistance. “They can reach out to city manager's office or they can call and we can mail it to them. So if someone's disabled or they're unable to take it to the street and they don't have anybody to do it for them, they can do that. Priority Waste will actually go get it and take it to the curb for them,” Marsh said.
Several residents asked whether earlier legal or contract disputes prompted the change in hauler. Marsh said there were operational problems with the prior contractor but that no litigation involving GFL prompted the change: “I mean, there wasn't any legal issues with g f l. We, you know, had problems with them, of course, but there was no legal issues with them back and forth. And that wasn't the reason they're no longer here.”
City officials said most households should receive toters by the end of the week after the meeting and reiterated that residents have roughly one month to adjust to the new containers. Staff said residents who need additional toters or who did not receive one should contact the city for assistance.
The council also noted that some residents donate extra toters they do not need, and the city said it would try to help households that require additional containers. The city indicated the distribution was funded in part through grant or program funds and that residents who bought their own toters previously were not eligible for a refund.
What happens next: the new toters will be the only accepted containers starting Oct. 6; residents who need help should contact the city manager’s office or DPS to get the assistance form or assistance arranged.
