The town stays with Republic Services for the next five years, saying they offered the best deal and service for waste hauling.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
NEW WASTE HAULING CONTRACT APPROVED
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (JUNE 15, 2022) – Republic Services has a new five-year contract to handle waste and recycling for the town.
At a recent meeting, the Town Council approved the proposal, which was one of two submitted for a request for proposals from the town. Republic Service’s proposal was 15 percent less than the other bidder — MEGA/MTG Disposal.
The Phoenix, Arizona-based Republic Services has been handling the town’s curbside “Pay-As-You-Throw” hauling program for years after taking over for Waste Management.
Based on comments from several council members and town Recycling Coordinator Will Cronin, they were happy to have Republic Services back.
“I think it’s worked out very well and I think Republic has done an excellent job,” council President Paul M. Rodrigues said. “They’re extremely responsive, they’re very timely for the most part…(Cronin) has been extremely responsive and thank you for that.”
“Some of the drivers that drive for Republic are fantastic,” Santos said. “If they tip over the bucket and they know that it’s a senior living in that house, they will get out of the vehicle and and stand it up again.”
Although the new contract with Republic is somewhat higher than the prior agreement, no price increase is planned for the 2022-2023 “Pay-As-You-Throw” year, which begins Nov. 1.
To participate, there’s a $141 user fee and special yellow bags must be used to dispose of household garbage. Recycling is taken away for free weekly and in season, yard waste is removed without cost to the subscriber. The town also holds multiple Bulk Waste Amnesty Days, where users can get rid of many larger items free of charge.
Cronin said the town and hauler are looking at a potential route change — moving the collection day in Easton’s Point up in the week for pickup. Currently, trash and recycling in that neighborhood in the southern section of town is collected Thursdays, which can cause some of the bins from short-term rentals to be left out too long.
Moving forward, several council members suggested the town do what it could to attract more “Pay-As-You-Throw” users. Councilman Dennis Turano suggested the town put together a flier and campaign to show how the program is truly the best deal going for trash service.
“We need to start thinking about how we increase that participation rate so that this program remains viable,” Rodrigues said.
For more information about the “Pay-As-You-Throw” program, visit https://mdl.town/CurbsidePAYT online.
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/5008/nycu-payt
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