Republic Services tells local customers to expect yard waste pickup delays

Customers of Republic Services in multiple Lorain County communities have been told by the waste hauling company to expect delays in their yard waste collection. Republic is attributing the delays to staffing challenges. In a statement provided to The Chronicle-Telegram, the company apologized for disruptions to service. "Many industries are facing staffing challenges at this time, and the recycling and waste disposal industry is no different. We are working to address these delays and appreciate our customers' understanding and cooperation during this time," the statement said. Republic stated that it will "continue to carefully monitor the needs of our customers and communities with the supply and availability of our talent and adjust our efforts to attract, engage and retain talent accordingly." The company is hiring, and more information is available at https://republicservices.jobs. Republic Services "offers a competitive salary, generous benefits, paid vacation, safety bonuses and numerous career advancement opportunities," the company said in the statement. Republic did not address in its statement if customers will see an adjustment on their bill if pickup is significantly delayed. North Ridgeville Mayor Kevin Corcoran said some residents are rightfully upset with delays in pickup, but he has talked with other communities and learned they are experiencing similar delays. It seems to be a widespread problem not unique to Republic, he said. It is not clear exactly how long delays will be in each community that is affected. Lorain Safety/Service Director Sanford Washington said he'd sent an email to Republic Municipal Sales Manager David Kidder about the disruptions in service that have plagued residents throughout the city. "Yard waste and bulk waste have been the big issues that all over the city they have been just slow and unresponsive," Washington said. "I believe, as I talked to Dave Kidder, they just did not have the staff for whatever reason to meet some of the demands that they've had from most of their clients." The letter to Kidder gives the company 10 days to respond, requiring an explanation for the service disruptions and plans to fix the problem, or face the potential for contract termination. Lorain's contract with Republic runs through the end of the year. The city will start advertising for bids on Friday. In the meantime, the city requested additional dumpsters be placed at Colorado and Missouri avenues and the former city garage at 114 E. 35th St. Street for residents to discard bulk and yard waste. It is not the first time Lorain has had issues with bulk pickup. In April 2020, Mayor Jack Bradley spoke to Republic Services and its lawyers after the company initially refused to collect curbside bulk trash as specified in the city's contract. In a video statement to residents, Bradley said after some discussion, Republic reversed its stance on the issue. In a notice on its Facebook page, Grafton Village said residents should place yard waste in the regular blue trash bin, not the green recyclable bins. Republic will continue to collect yard waste in the blue bins through Oct. 1. The change was at Republic's request, according to the post, citing "temporary and sudden personnel staffing limitations." A call to Village Administrator Joe Price was not returned Wednesday. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Media Coordinator Anthony Chenault said Republic Services "does not have a permit or waiver to accept yard waste in with regular solid waste in Lorain County." Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com, or Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com.