New Britain council awards 2027–2031 trash contract to Waste Management, approves monthly bulk pickup alternate

The New Britain Borough Council voted June 10 to award its five-year trash-collection contract (2027–2031) to Waste Management, including an alternate that would permit each household one monthly bulk-item pickup, council members and staff said.

John, a staff member who presented the RFP results, told the council four companies submitted bids — Waste Management (the current provider), Republic Services, Whitetail Disposal and JP Mosscaro — and that Waste Management’s proposal, including the alternate bulk-pickup option, produced the lowest projected per-unit cost. “I was very impressed with Waste Management,” John said, adding that Waste Management “knows exactly what their costs are in this borough.” Council approved a motion to award the contract, including the alternate bulk-pickup, subject to John and another staff member’s final review and approval of the contract package.

Why it matters: staff said the competitive bidding produced rates well below earlier expectations and that residents will begin receiving separate bills for trash service on or about July 1. Council members discussed trade-offs between leaving bulk collection in the base rate versus an alternate that charges by a contractor fee schedule; with the alternate added, staff estimated the annual per-unit charge would remain substantially lower than some competing bids that, when combined with alternate fees, could exceed $1,000 a year.

Council discussion focused on cost, convenience and billing. Mike, a staff speaker, and other council members noted Waste Management will not change all carts immediately and that consolidated billing handled by the contractor could allow a senior discount through the vendor’s system. Several members said they were pleased with the responsiveness of Waste Management in town and with the competitive process; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Details from the RFP and council discussion: staff said four bidders attended the pre-bid meeting and all four submitted bids; one vendor that attended the pre-bid meeting did not bid. The alternate bid would allow two bulk items per household on the monthly pickup day, handled under the contractor’s fee schedule. Staff recommended awarding the alternate to avoid frequent individual fees for bulky items; council approved the alternate and directed staff to complete final contract review.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contract paperwork and return with any final edits; bills for the new contract cycle are expected to be mailed beginning July 1, and the first charges under the 2027 contract will appear thereafter.