{"id":127313,"date":"2025-08-07T21:08:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T21:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/127313\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T21:08:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T21:08:10","slug":"residents-complain-of-late-trash-pickups-after-arlington-hires-new-contractor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/127313\/","title":{"rendered":"Residents complain of late trash pickups after Arlington hires new contractor"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Trash awaits pickup on an Arlington curb following a change in solid waste contractors (courtesy anonymous)<\/p>\n

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Bates trash truck in August 2025 (staff photo)<\/p>\n

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Bates trash truck in August 2025 (staff photo)<\/p>\n

Complaints of incomplete and missed trash collections have hounded Arlington\u2019s new solid waste contractor<\/a> in its first few days of service.<\/p>\n

Bates Trucking and Trash Removal<\/a>, which replaces longtime county contractor American Disposal Services<\/a>, began collecting trash, recycling and organics from Arlington single-family homes this month.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been off to a stinky start. One resident described trash bins sitting on the curb for days, awaiting pickup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can tell all of you that as of today I, and the five other homes inside our cul-de-sac, are still staring at full trash bins and piles of rotting garbage bags on the sidewalks in front of our homes since Monday morning,\u201d the tipster told ARLnow yesterday (Wednesday).<\/p>\n

The county put out a statement<\/a> on Tuesday, acknowledging issues. Staff encouraged people to leave bins on the curb until they are empty and report missed collections using the county\u2019s \u201cReport a Problem<\/a>\u201d tool or by calling the Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are aware of reports of incomplete or missed collections as crews from Arlington County\u2019s new household solid waste contractor become familiar with routes and neighborhoods,\u201d the bulletin said. \u201cWe apologize for the inconvenience and ask for patience during this transition period between contractors.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Thanks for your patience, Arlington, during this transition to a new curbside collection contractor. If a cart has not been emptied, leave it out as crews work to catch up. Collection times may also have shifted for your day. https:\/\/t.co\/Vh6ynsDTMf<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nd1PUw68Mu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) August 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bates has added extra trucks and has its crews working extended hours, Katie O\u2019Brien, spokesperson for the county\u2019s Department of Environmental Services, told ARLnow. The contractor operated on Saturday to make up for missed collections and will do so again this weekend, if need be.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost carts have been serviced, but as the contractor\u2019s new crews work routes for the first time, there has been an increase in missed collections,\u201d O\u2019Brien said.<\/p>\n

She added that staff from the county\u2019s Solid Waste Bureau have been out inspecting routes and servicing missed collections.<\/p>\n

While Bates\u2019 crews may still be learning their new routes, this isn\u2019t the contractor\u2019s first time around the block in Arlington. Back in the day, the company used to contract for all of the county\u2019s curbside recycling pickup and half of its trash pickup.<\/p>\n

It unsuccessfully sued the county<\/a> in 2014 when the county moved to change contracts and award all of its waste pickup to American Disposal.<\/p>\n

The county\u2019s waste contractor services around 6,600 customers each day, collecting around 19,800 carts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe apologize to residents and greatly appreciate all the patience and understanding expressed during this transition between contractors,\u201d O\u2019Brien said.<\/p>\n

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