Trash pickup for McCandless residents will remain with Waste Management for the next two years, with a slight fee increase in 2027 and 2028, as approved by council members at their April 27 meeting.
Waste Management prices for McCandless residents, currently at $23.79 per month, will increase to $24.66 in 2027 and $25.98 in 2028. Town Manager John Schwend recommended the contract extension with the company while noting options are limited.
“When you have a waste-hauling situation, there are not a number of companies entering this market. They’re not beating on the doors to compete. It’s the same competitors with the same trucks, with the same service, with the same landfills. They typically know what they can handle and not handle,” he said.
McCandless and Ohio Township began a joint bid agreement in 2021 with the nationwide waste handler and disposal collector. The contract ends Dec. 31, with an option to extend the contract for the next two years.
Three comparable low-bid monthly prices for 2027 were provided by Schwend for reference — Hampton at $30.20, Robinson Township at $33.19 and the South Hills Area Council of Governments at $39.79.
Based on these bids, Waste Management’s bid for McCandless in the next two option years was recommended. An open bid process could potentially result in fuel surcharge costs and “unfavorable” bids, given the current market conditions, according to Schwend.
“There are not a whole lot of options. As years go on, the options get fewer and fewer. This business is not desirable to be in,” Schwend said.
Since Ohio Township also is opting in, it would put the two municipalities in a favorable position to advertise a joint bid in 2028, according to Schwend.
Several McCandless residents who spoke during council’s public comment period had mixed feelings about the waste collection provider.
Resident Lynn Appman, who voluntarily walks the streets in her neighborhood and picks up trash along the road, said the garbage collector was OK.
“I don’t think they do that bad of a job. But, I think they could do a better job,” said Appman, adding she occasionally has seen trash falling out of the back of trucks.
Bryan Snyder of McCandless said he owns properties throughout Allegheny and Beaver counties serviced by various trash collection companies. Waste Management has been his best experience, he said.
“Without a doubt, Waste Management … as a whole has been most responsive of what we’re paying them to do — and cheaper by the way,” Snyder said.
With almost 12,000 properties serviced weekly, the amount of complaints are minimal compared to the number of customers. The town will monitor whether complaints are repetitive to a certain area or situation, Schwend said.
Residents also can contact the town if they cannot reach the waste provider with a concern.
“Look at Waste Management as your partner in this and not your adversary,” Schwend said.
Franklin Park also has a contract with Waste Management. That contract is set to expire at the end of 2026, but no decision has been made on a new one.
Franklin Park typically bids the contract out in June of the last year, borough Manager Zachary Filous said.
Until then, the current rate for Franklin Park residents is $25.33 per month for curbside unlimited service. Also, residents in Franklin Park can pay $37.38 per month for rear yard service, where Waste Management collects the trash can from the side of the house and returns it empty.
Franklin Park’s contract does not include the yard waste service, as the borough offers a one-time curbside chipping service in the spring and fall, both collected by public works. The spring collection took place April 6, according to franklinparkborough.us.
Otherwise, Franklin Park homeowners can take yard waste — brush and tree trimmings under 4 inches in diameter as well as weeds and greens — to a collection site in Blueberry Hill Park.
Bradford Woods Council decided to accept Waste Management’s offer to extend the contract in 2027 with no increase in rates from 2026, according to borough Manager Rusti Null.
Null said the borough had two options: Exercise the option year on the current Waste Management contract with no price increase at $39.51 per month or put the contract out to bid as a single municipality, as discussed at the March 9 council meeting.
Bradford Woods participated in a bid multi-municipal contract with the North Hills Council of Government. Another multi-municipal contract will be open for next year for service beginning in 2028. Null said the borough has not yet decided on what it will do for 2028.
Pine and Marshall townships still have a couple of years remaining on their joint contract with Mars-based Vogel Disposal Services — until 2029.
The monthly rates are based on cart size. A 35-gallon receptacle for 2026, currently at $30.86, will increase to $31.94 next year.
A 95-gallon can, currently at $31.94, will increase to $33.05 in 2027.
Although prices for the 65-gallon cart were provided, currently at $31.66, and increasing to $32.76 in 2027, Marshall Manager Bob Grimm said that size will no longer be offered.
Marshall residents are provided one yard waste cart and that cost is included in Vogel’s monthly fee, Grimm said. For two additional yard carts, residents can be charged an additional $10 fee.
Vogel customers in Pine and Marshall do not get charged for yard waste during the winter months of January through March. when yard waste is not being collected, even if they have extra yard waste carts. Residents can opt out of the yard waste program, he said.
Waste Management also has a “snowbird clause,” allowing residents who leave their residences for the winter to cancel their service for up to five months only — from Nov. 1 to March 31. Any changes in their temporary cancellation period must be made 30 days before the requested stop date with a return date included, according to a letter from the company posted at townofmccandless.org.
Waste Management and Vogel also offer home collection for household hazardous waste, e-waste and recycling. Bulk items vary for each area, which is detailed on each municipality’s website.
