Neighbors growing frustrated after recycling pick-up is delayed

By Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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By WSBT News1

Story Created: Dec 29, 2008 at 3:36 PM EST

Story Updated: Dec 30, 2008 at 9:09 PM EST

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Christmas is over, and for many people the recycling has piled-up. But neighbors in part of St. Joseph County are not able to get rid of it. That's because Waste Management has not been by to pick it up.

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The Solid Waste Management District of St. Joseph County says it's because of several factors, including the holiday, bad weather, and contracts expiring.

Meanwhile, neighbors are dealing with piles and piles of trash in their front yards, causing a big mess.

"We had our recycle probably about this high [indicates height a bit lower than his shoulders] and we had some stuff on the side, too," said neighbor Kevin Marek.

Marek and his neighbors usually get their recycling picked up every other Thursday. But with Christmas, then the freezing rain on Friday, it didn't happen.

"And I was hoping Saturday, but nothing happened," said neighbor Monica Famoso. "And here we are the middle of the day on Monday and it's still sitting there."

The delay is frustrating many neighbors.

"Should I leave my stuff out? Should I bring it back in?" asked neighbor Larry Zielinksi.

Especially after high winds swept through the area over the weekend.

"It knocked this down," said Marek, indicating his recycling bin, "it knocked all the neighbors down. And I came out the next morning and it was about half way full, and everything else was gone and blowing down the street. We had to thank our neighbors for picking up our recycle for us," said Marek.

"It just makes the neighborhood so bad," said Famoso.

Officials with the Solid Waste Management District of St. Joseph County declined to be interviewed, but they did say Waste Management Inc. is legally obligated to pick up recycling by Dec. 31.

Marek and his neighbors are just hoping something will be done soon.

"But if a few more days went by, then we might start having to call and question," said Marek.

"Please come and get it," said Famoso.

A new company begins collecting the recycling on Jan. 2.

Waste Management says this week crews will be picking up recycling that wasn't picked up last Tuesday and Wednesday. Crews will also be picking it up on their normal days through Wednesday. If your normal pick-up day is Thursday, You'll have to wait until the next collection.

If people are having problems keeping their recyclables contained, officials say they should store them for their next scheduled pick-up.

Solid Waste Management says the new company will follow the same collection schedule.

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