Irondequoit town officials are considering whether to dump two prominent trash companies after hundreds of residents reported sudden service cancellations and ongoing missed pickups.
Deputy Supervisor Peter Wehner said Waste Management dropped nearly 200 customers in Irondequoit earlier this year, citing “safety concerns” related to trash pickup. Some of those residents then entered new contracts with Casella Waste Systems, before their service was again suddenly canceled, according to Wehner.
He said the waste hauling companies claimed narrow streets made pickup difficult for their large trucks, but also suggested some financial motive for dropping the customers.
In a statement, Casella denied canceling service to Irondequoit residents.
“In some instances, where roads are not easily accessed or do not allow for safe operation of our standard service offerings, we have had to provide alternative options such as a common collection point or driveway service with an alternative vehicle,” spokesman Jeff Weld said. “These options are priced differently than our standard services, but they are available for the residents.”
Waste Management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What are the options for trash pickup in Irondequoit?
Irondequoit does not operate a municipal trash collection system, but the town is responsible for licensing private companies to provide waste management service within town limits. Currently there are four options: National chains including Casella and Waste Management, or the local guys, Dependable Disposal and Suburban Disposal.
Wehner said that license prohibits trash companies from refusing service for difficult or less-profitable routes or colluding on pricing and service areas. “When haulers drop harder-to-serve neighborhoods or selectively cancel accounts, it hurts residents and undermines a fair, reliable system,” he said.
Irondequoit residents report missed trash pickups, empty promises
Problems with both companies have been well-documented on social media for months.
Emma Macintyre Bertolone, who lives off Titus Avenue, said she went three weeks without trash pickup in September after contracting with Casella. She claims the company made empty promises when she called to complain: They would send a truck tonight, tomorrow, next week.
“I’m upset,” she said. “I’ve called and called and they keep giving me the runaround saying somebody will be there, and nobody comes.”
She canceled her service and switched providers shortly after.
Angie Anderson, who lives on the west side, had a similar experience with Casella a few years ago. She dropped the company and contracted with a local, family-owned firm, Seyrek Disposal. Then, Casella bought out Seyrek this summer and her headaches returned.
Public hearing set Dec. 16 to decide fate of Waste Management and Casella
Both women fear an eventual trash monopoly would leave residents without recourse if they encounter bad service.
“Something should happen,” Anderson said. “People shouldn’t have to go through this.”
The town board will host a public hearing Dec. 16 to hear from residents, Casella and Waste Management before deciding whether to revoke licenses for the two companies. The hearing will start at 7:35 p.m. at Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Ave.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Irondequoit may dump big trash haulers as pickup problems pile up
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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