Local trash haulers change collection, recycling schedules

By Eric Seiverling
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Schools, restaurants and retail stores aren’t the only businesses affected by the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.
The pandemic has also forced local trash and recycling services to change collection policies.
On Tuesday, Waste Management, which services Pleasant Hills and Jefferson Hills boroughs and Elizabeth and Forward townships, announced it was reducing its field workforce, causing the company to suspend “non-essential” bulk collection of items such as mattresses, furniture and carpet, its spring bulk collection and yard waste such as grass clippings, brush and tree clippings.
The company stated all trash and refuse must be bagged and sealed, and loose items will not be collected.
Waste Management’s residential contact centers are also temporarily closed as its employees conduct remote operations.
Business contact centers remain operational.
And Waste Management isn’t the only trash service to change its policies.
Big’s Sanitation of Rostraver Township, which runs 68 trucks daily and services 21 municipalities, is also asking customers to not place loose items on the curb for pickup.
Joe Eori Sr., owner of Big’s Sanitation, said items such as furniture, cushions and bed mattresses should be wrapped in plastic bags.
“It would leave such a mess along the streets if they’re not wrapped,” he said.
County Hauling of Rostraver has also made changes to its pickup policies.
As of last week, only properly bagged trash will be collected and loose trash whether inside or outside a trash can will not be collected.
County Hauling has also suspended all bulk pickups, yard-waste pickups and cardboard collection, citing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s report that the coronavirus can survive on cardboard up to 24 hours. The company recommends cardboard be placed in a bag and put out for standard trash collection.
County Hauling also warned that recycling collection will be eliminated if the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread or if the company is directed to do so by government officials.
Despite the area’s trash services being altered, Eori said customers of Big’s Sanitation are showing their appreciation to its drivers and trash collectors.
With precautions being taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the City of McKeesport and County Hauling announced Tuesday that recycling pickup will be suspended until May 26. In the coming weeks, residents are asked to check www.mckeesport-pa.gov for a revised 2020 recycling calendar.
“We would like to thank the residents for leaving gift cards and monetary tips,” Eori said. “They really do appreciate the garbage guys.”