Arlington County's recent decision to hire a second waste contractor, Compost Crew, to assist with missed organics collections this spring highlights the ongoing challenges in waste management. This move comes amidst a history of complaints about the previous contractor, Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, which has been plagued by issues with late or missed collections.
The hiring of Compost Crew is a proactive step to address the high number of missed organics collections during the busy spring season. The cost of this additional service is $9,920 per week, a significant investment to ensure timely waste collection. The agreement with Bates, the primary contractor, stipulates that the county can deduct $100 from its invoices for each day of missed pickups, a financial incentive to maintain service quality.
However, the relationship between the county and Bates has been fraught with issues. Residents have reported full trash bins left on the curb for days, leading to the county's Solid Waste Bureau inspecting routes and addressing missed collections shortly after Bates took over. The financial implications of these missed collections are substantial, with the county withholding over $855,000 from Bates' invoices between August and January.
The complexity of waste management in Arlington is underscored by the fact that the contractor serves about 6,600 customers daily, primarily single-family homes, while multifamily properties are served by private haulers. The county's reliance on waste collection services, funded by solid waste fees, highlights the importance of maintaining a reliable and efficient system.
Looking ahead, the county is in the process of issuing a competitive solicitation to procure waste collection services beyond Bates' contract term, which ends on July 31. This move is necessary to ensure continuity and potentially improve service quality, but it also underscores the ongoing challenges in waste management and the need for continuous improvement in the industry.
