Bereans want to know: when will regularly scheduled trash collection resume?
Waste Connections neglects to 'connect' with residents about service disruptions
BEREA — Trash is piling up around town as Waste Connections, the solid waste management company contracted for trash collection, has not maintained regularly scheduled pick-ups in the new year, allegedly due to weather.
The Edge made several unsuccessful attempts to speak with a Waste Connections representative about the service disruption. A voicemail was left by a man who identified himself as the company’s district manager, stating that “we didn’t run trash on a couple of days last week because of inclement weather and I’m not really interested in doing an article.”
A lack of information about when service would resume has prompted many residents to contact City Hall.
Calls began coming into City Hall last week, according to City Administrator Rose Beverly, who told The Edge that people were worried they’d have too much trash for the workers to collect, and that it would be left on the curb.
“No, the guys will get off the truck and pick it up if they had to,” Beverly said. “When they get behind they know they have to get out and do that.”
Waste Connections has an app for customers, but there was no mention of service disruptions posted there, nor were there any posts on the company’s website.
For some residents, including this reporter, trash has not been collected since last month. Trash collection resumed in some, but not all, parts of town today. Which routes are scheduled for pick up to resume and when, Waste Connections would not communicate to The Edge.
“We’ve been working with Waste Connections on putting together better communication procedures,” City Administrator Rose Beverly told The Edge. “After this, we see areas for improvement.”
An ordinance to renew Lily, Ky.-based Waste Connection’s contract was passed by City Council last September. The contract has still not been finalized, according to Beverly, but is anticipated to take effect in April of this year through 2030.
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