Residents complain of uncollected bins as La Habra Heights shifts trash service to Ware Disposal

La Habra Heights staff told the City Council on Nov. 12 that the city transitioned solid-waste service from Republic Services to Ware Disposal in October and crews are in the process of exchanging carts and adjusting service levels. Staff said some Republic carts remain in neighborhoods and Ware representatives were present to answer questions.

During an extended question-and-answer period, councilmembers detailed multiple reports of Republic carts left along narrow roads for weeks and pressed Ware for a plan to retrieve those carts and complete exchanges. Kevin (Ware representative) said Ware had not been given accurate inventory information from Republic, had ordered additional bins, and was running exchanges and pickup runs to retrieve remaining Republic carts. He also said Ware is not yet enforcing separation of organics/recycling/garbage and would not fine residents for contamination at this stage.

Councilmembers emphasized resident frustration and blight from uncollected carts; one councilmember urged Ware to post status updates and to follow up on specific addresses. Ware staff offered to take addresses after the meeting for direct follow-up.

During public comment, a resident identified as Claudia said she had called Ware multiple times without a returned call, had no carts delivered, and asked the city to offer more frequent community "dump days" for yard waste. Claudia also reported a separate incident where a drone repeatedly flew close to her property, which made her feel "violated;" she said the sheriff told her she could not shoot the drone down.

Staff said ongoing bin exchanges, billing adjustments for former dumpster customers and continued communication with Ware are priorities until the transition is complete.