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Republic Services reports rising residential and commercial tonnage; warns of cost pressures
Summary
A Republic Services representative told council the hauler now services about 800 Mount Angel homes monthly and reported steep cost increases for parts, tires and labor; the company reminded residents of a Woodburn drop-off facility for hard-to-recycle items and its low-cost Internet program.
Republic Services delivered its annual update to the Mount Angel City Council on Sept. 6, reporting growth in residential and commercial waste volumes and outlining operational and cost pressures affecting service.
"We have 7 drivers continuing to serve the City of Mount Angel. We hit just about 800 homes each month, and that's tipping roughly 88,000 pickups per year," the Republic Services representative (introduced to council as Travis Comfort) said. He told council residential tonnage rose by about 1,000 tons from 2020 to 2021 and that commercial tonnage more than doubled in the same span.
Comfort noted cost pressures driven by higher parts prices and inflation. He said several parts were up roughly 25% and that commercial-grade tires for trucks have increased about 50% over two years; labor costs have risen roughly 11% as employers compete for staff. He said trucks and equipment costs increased more than 25% from 2020 to 2021 and had grown another ~30% into 2022.
Comfort reminded residents that hard-to-recycle items, e-waste, paint and chemicals can be dropped off Monday through Friday at Republic Services’ Woodburn facility, and that the company will be in town to distribute carts for Oktoberfest preparations.
The company said it will return next year with a more detailed year-over-year assessment and noted upcoming state legislative efforts (truth-in-labeling, DEQ standardized recycling lists) that could change curbside materials and depot collections.
The council thanked the presenter and had no further questions.
What happens next: Republic Services will provide a fuller year-over-year analysis at a future meeting and will coordinate collection logistics for local events.
