DUMFRIES, Va. — Is there something stinky in Dumfries? If you ask some members of the Town Council, it’s the trash service.
During a public meeting Tuesday, members of the Council complained about broken trash cans, shared frustrations of residents who didn’t know where to go to obtain one, and said some trash is left in cans or blown about the streets after the trash truck drives away.
“I talk to a lot of public works folks and they seem to be picking up TVs and couches that are just sitting on the side of the road, and no one seems to know where these TVs and couches are coming from,” said Councilman Derrick Wood.
Dumfries in 2010 signed a $208,000 contract with American Disposal Services to pick up and haul away trash from homes and public buildings in the town, said Public Works Director Greg Tkac.
When signed, the contract had some stipulations: American Disposal Services would provide a trash can for every current household in the town at the time the contract was signed, and an option to extend the life of the contract beginning in 2015 was also included, said Tkac. But as trashcans break, get lost, or stolen, the disposal company is not required to replace them. Residents should, said Tkac, go out and buy their own.
Overall, Town Manager Dan Taber said American Disposal Services has room for improvement. According to s statement from the company, improvement is something they’re already working on.
“We take all reported concerns seriously and take all necessary actions to address them promptly. We are currently working with the Town Manager on a resolution for any concerns,” stated American Disposal Services spokeswoman Jessica Vazquez in an email.
The trash talk comes after the Council discussed ways to make recycling mandatory like it is in localities like Arlington, and Washington, D.C. Wood said such a ordinance would reduce waste, improve public heath, and open up potential partnerships with the town and companies that could provide recycling bins in exchange for promotion.
American Disposal Services currently provides recycling bins as part of their contract. Mayor Jerry Foreman said if the contract is going to be renegotiated and recycling services provided by someone else, he wants to know how much money the town and American Disposal would save on the waste removal agreement.
Wood said someone needs to be tasked with making sure residents recycle.
“No one is checking to see if recycling in this town is properly enforced,” said Wood.
