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Bedford council hears Republic Services explain December trash delays, vows improved communication
Summary
Republic Services told the Bedford City Council that an unexpected 470-ton increase in residential waste, wet landfill conditions, new drivers and holiday staffing led to service delays in December. The company and city leaders agreed on steps to improve routing, staffing and communications.
Republic Services representatives told the Bedford City Council on Jan. 14 that unusually high residential volumes, wet landfill conditions and staff turnover combined to cause multiweek delays in curbside trash collection in December.
The city invited Jerry Harwell of Republic Services to explain the company’s response after residents reported missed pickups. “In December…this year, it went up 470 tons,” Harwell said, describing the rise from November. She told council that an extra 470 tons equates to roughly 40 additional landfill hauls, given an 8- to 10-ton load per truck.
That spike was not solely holiday waste, Harwell said. A warm fall kept leaves on trees longer so they dropped in a short period and residents bagged them for curbside pickup. “There’s a lot of bagged leaves out there,” she said, and noted Republic’s preference that residents mulch leaves rather than…
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