Trash Collection Delays Frustrate Cinnaminson, Willingboro Residents

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Residents of several Burlington County communities said they were getting increasingly frustrated with Republic Services, their trash collection provider.

Scott Freedman of Cinnaminson told Patch on Wednesday that "all homes on Olmsted Lane and surrounding streets" did not have their trash picked up for 2 weeks.

He said that the trash in that area was ultimately picked up on Thursday, and also expressed annoyance with the situation extends to the company's internal team as well.

"Republic [Services] promises to pick up, never does and indicates they have no record of the missed pick up each time they are called," Freedman said.

In a Facebook group known as Willingboro Residents Past/Present/Future, a member going by the name of Dominique Cepale said on Wednesday that her trash was being "taken over flies ... and it's disgusting."

Another user of the same group, who identified themself as Hollie Twinkee-Dixon noted just before midnight on Tuesday that her trash had still not been picked up.

However, Cinnaminson said in an online message sent to Nixle customers Thursday that it was its understanding that the delay was due to Republic Service "enduring both personnel and equipment issues that are significantly hampering their operations."

Willingboro Mayor Kaya T. McIntosh also blamed the delays on personnel issues, saying in a letter posted on the township's Facebook page Tuesday that "a staffing issue at Republic Services has dramatically impacted" the company's ability to adhere to its usual schedule.

Both municipalities said the delays would likely last at least another week, and also asked their residents for patients and to keep their trash collection bins at the curb, even if they are full.

Willingboro added that residents who do not want to wait for their trash to be picked up can drop it offer at the township's Public Works Yard on Industrial Drive on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

In response to the townships' concerns, Republic Services told Patch "many industries are facing staffing challenges at this time, and the environmental services industry is no different."

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