Export officials talk trash about garbage, recycling hauler Republic Services

Export officials hope making headway with their garbage and recycling contractor will lead to fewer issues with hauling service in the borough.

Council members have been unhappy with Republic Services for some time, discussing unaddressed issues at council meetings and fielding complaints from residents about missed pickups and poor service.

“The recycling truck doesn’t even come down my street,” Councilman Vince Harding said. “The truck’s too big. It can’t make it down.”

“That’s just not right,” Councilwoman Melanie Litz said.

Republic’s contract with the borough specifies the company must use smaller trucks on all but three borough roads. “Occasionally, due to mechanical issues, the use of a larger truck is required, and that change is approved by local authorities,” a Republic spokesperson said in a statement issued to the Tribune-Review.

Mayor Joe Zaccagnini said that isn’t the case, and that larger trucks regularly are used for pickups in the borough.

“Those big trucks are tearing up the curbs and the new roads,” Zaccagnini said.

Council President Barry Delissio said he spoke with a Republic manager this week.

“…We went over everything,” Delissio said. “That’s more of a response than I’ve gotten to date. He said they would look into things and get it straightened out.”

Export officials joined with Murrysville in negotiating the hauling contract, which is up at the end of the year. Delmont officials also expressed an interest in joining the contract, despite also fielding a fairly steady stream of Republic-related complaints.

Councilman John Nagoda, a fierce critic of Republic, said the borough should consider switching to a local hauling company.

“(Republic) doesn’t care,” he said.

Delissio said he’s hopeful his recent conversation will lead to a change.

“We’ll see on Tuesday when the trucks come through,” he said.

Republic officials declined to provide a figure for complaints originating in Export over the past year.