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Republic Services cites CDL staffing shortages after 300 missed recycling pickups; city, company plan joint notice
Summary
Republic Services told Pleasant Grove leaders the company faced summer CDL staffing shortages that led to a one-time miss of recycling service for roughly 300 homes; the company said it will expand training and provide opt-in notifications and a joint statement with the city.
Republic Services told the Pleasant Grove City Council on Oct. 7 that a summer shortage of commercial drivers contributed to missed recycling collection for about 300 residents. City Administrator Scott Darrington introduced Republic representative Gordon Raymond, who said the company prioritized trash and used temporary staff from nearby locations while hiring and training new drivers.
"They did miss recycling pickup for approximately 300 residents two weeks previously," Raymond said, and added the company had brought drivers from Idaho and Virginia and opened training facilities to help workers obtain a CDL. Raymond said Republic aims to have 24 staff performing daily residential pickups and expected staffing to stabilize once training finished. He said he did not believe there would be similar service issues in the winter.
Council members pressed for clearer communications to residents. Council Member Cyd LeMone asked whether residents could opt in to receive notices of delays; Raymond replied that Republic typically needs residents to call and opt in because the city bills customers and Republic does not always have resident contact details. Council Member Eric Jensen suggested the city and Republic issue a joint statement explaining the problem and the steps being taken; Raymond said he would work with staff to draft that notice.
The company described temporary operational steps — pulling staff from other Utah locations and using a lead operations manager to oversee workflow — and outlined a five-week CDL training and background-check process. Mayor Guy Fugal thanked the company for extended pickup hours and noted the driver shortage has affected multiple communities.
