More garbage woes for Niagara
Niagara garbage collection woes continued Wednesday, as the Region’s contractor fell further behind for trash pick-ups.
Emterra Environmental, the company hired by Niagara region to collect recycling and garbage, attempted to meet its usual Tuesday pickup schedule, but was unable to complete the task.
Regional spokesman Darrell Neufeld said those areas that were scheduled to have trash collected on Tuesday should have their garbage picked up by Thursday.
The delay is the latest in a string of issues that has caused garbage to pile up on curb-side in St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie.
On Tuesday, the Region said garbage collection was slowed down by the recent winter weather. But the delays were caused by issues unrelated to the cold and the snow. Emterra has struggled with vehicles breaking down and staffing shortages. Garbage that was supposed to be collected last Friday has still not been picked up and the Region says it is enforcing the terms of its contract with Emterra.
Catherine Habermebl, director of waste management services at the
Region, said Tuesday that under the terms of the Region’s contract with Emterra, there are financial consequences for the company for failing live up to its obligations.
She said there were “legal issues” at play, so she would not detail what those consequences were other than to say they do not take the form
of a penalty.
Neufeld said Emterra is trying to meet its pick up schedules this week. However, residents whose regular pickup is scheduled for Friday are being asked to bring their trash inside and put it back out on the curb for a Saturday morning pickup.