Retaliation Over Middletown's Garbage Changes?

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — As Middletown prepares to transition to its new consolidated garbage and recycling pick-up system in a few weeks, some residents are reporting what may be possible retaliation from their existing garbage companies.

"The incidents have been isolated, but we've heard of a handful of issues," Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger told Patch on Thursday. "Some residents are reporting their companies are picking up their cans two weeks before the end of the year, and it's only Dec. 21. Other residents have reported damage being done to their cans. One woman came up to me in church of all places and said she paid in advance and is now having trouble getting refunded."

"It's a little upsetting," he added. "Someone told me they saw a truck slam the cans down so hard they cracked."

As Patch reported, this fall Middletown Township made the surprise announcement that they were switching over to a consolidated trash and recycling pick-up system, in which all 23,000 households in the sprawling Township would use the same trash and recycling pick-up company. Central Jersey Waste and Recycling was awarded the $21 million contract, and they will be paid by the Township. Right now, Middletown homes are serviced by a myriad of different trash collectors, which residents contract and pay privately.

It's a big change and has not been without controversy: Middletown is currently being sued by the trash collector that lost the contract, Republic Services. And many residents complain the changes were done in secret and without a public discussion beforehand. Middletown maintains they chose Central because they simply submitted a lower bid by about $92,000. Related: Middletown Sued By Trash Collector Over New Trash Pickup Changes

Another big problem is multiple residents are reporting their current provider wants to charge them to pick up their trash cans.

"According to state law they cannot do that," said Scharfenberger. "They cannot charge you to pick up your old cans. Plus, the Township will come and pick up your old cans for free."

If your private hauler will not come to your home to retrieve your garbage can, Middletown Township will be providing a one-time pickup of old cans beginning on February 1 for the North Zone and February 9 for the South Zone.

"Listen, this is going to be a little rocky through the transition," Scharfenberger said Thursday. "Hopefully in six weeks it will be smoother."

Your private hauler cannot charge you to retrieve their own trash can(s), Middletown said on its website. If your private hauler is trying to charge you a fee, please contact the State’s Consumer Affairs Department at (973) 504-6200. You can also click here to file a complaint online or to fill out a printable form and mail it in to the Division.

Click HERE to view the State of New Jersey’s Customer Bill of Rights for Solid Waste Collection which states that you must give your provider 7 days written notice that you are cancelling. There is nothing in the Bill of Rights that suggests that your private hauler can charge you for can return.