Problems with missed collections appear to have persisted in the months since Arlington changed its trash contractor last summer, resulting in almost $1 million in withheld payments.
The county withheld more than $855,000 from its invoices to Bates Trucking and Trash Removal between August and January, Katie O’Brien, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Services, told ARLnow.
After months of discussion, the Falls Church City Council has unanimously voted to change how the city funds residential trash collection and recycling.
City Council members voted 7-0 yesterday (Monday) to shift from a trash system funded through general taxes by all property owners, to one where only those in single-family homes and townhouses pay the cost.
Issues with Arlington County’s new solid waste contractor have continued throughout this month, with customers still reporting about 100 missed collections every day.
While the new contractor, Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, has extended collection hours and weekend service since beginning work on Aug. 1, the county has initiated “financial penalties” and lent some trash trucks to assist with collection. The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has four trash trucks it uses to assist with street litter cans, special events and other activities.
Complaints of incomplete and missed trash collections have hounded Arlington’s new solid waste contractor in its first few days of service.
Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, which replaces longtime county contractor American Disposal Services, began collecting trash, recycling and organics from Arlington single-family homes this month.
Falls Church is considering changes to trash and recycling services, but city leaders say a voter referendum is unlikely.
The changes could decrease the financial burden on some property owners while increasing fees for single-family homeowners.
Falls Church City Council members and staff on Oct. 7 mulled a number of possibilities that could change the way city residents pay for trash collection and recycling.
But with the exception of solid support for expanding the composting part of the program, there seemed enough disagreement on bigger issues for City Council members to push consideration to a later date.
