Coronavirus emergency impacts Waste Management, County Hauling garbage services
Waste Management announced Tuesday it is temporarily suspending some services throughout Western Pennsylvania during the coronavirus emergency.
Beginning Wednesday, the company said it is suspending collection of bulk items such as furniture, carpet, mattresses and appliances; spring and bulk cleanups; and collection of yard waste such as grass clippings, brush and tree limbs until further notice.
Spokeswoman Lisa Kardell said the company “will focus its employees on the collection of trash and recycling, which are essential health and safety services.”
The company said all trash and refuse must be bagged and sealed and, wherever possible, placed in containers.
Loose items will not be collected.
Recyclables, including cardboard, must be placed inside recycling bins. Items outside of bins will not be collected.
The company said it will enforce bag and cart limits under its contracts.
County Hauling service changes
County Hauling, based in Belle Vernon, also announced changes to its services, including suspending pickup of bulk items and yard waste to maintain trash collection.
More people working from home has caused a significant increase in the amount of trash being produced, the company said in a notice on its website.
In the notice, the company said that only bagged trash will be collected. Loose trash in or outside of cans will not be collected. Because the CDC says the virus can stay on cardboard for up to 24 hours, the company is discontinuing cardboard collection.
If the virus continues to spread or if it’s advised by government officials, the company said it will eliminate curbside recycling collections to reduce the risk of infection of its drivers and staff.
If there is a broad infection with a community or among its drivers, the company said it will provide roll-off containers for trash only at community centers or government buildings. The company emphasized that all other options would be exhausted before collection is interrupted.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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