City addresses garbage collection delays; drivers needed

SHREVEPORT, La. — A shortage of drivers is hampering the city’s ability to keep up with its garbage collection schedule, officials said Wednesday in a news release. 

Despite that, the collection days have not changed. Still, there have been some temporary delays on some routes in the city in recent weeks. 

The Solid Waste Division needs 11 more CDL drivers to round out the staffing levels needed to be fully operational. There are enough employees to work on the back of the garbage trucks. 

The department’s goal is to have approximately 40 garbage trucks operating each week. Current staffing levels have that down to 30 trucks, which has made it difficult to complete the heavier Monday and Tuesday collection routes on schedule, city officials said.

Thursday and Friday routes generally have lower collection volumes and have experienced fewer delays.

The mayor’s office said residents should continue placing their garbage cans at the curb on their regularly scheduled collection day. Collection days have not changed. If a can is not serviced on its scheduled day, residents are asked to leave it at the curb so crews can complete the route as soon as possible.

“Garbage collection is a basic city service, and our residents have every right to expect it to be reliable,” said Mayor Tom Arceneaux. “Right now, we simply do not have enough qualified drivers to put the number of trucks on the road that we need. That is the problem, and we’re working to fix it. In the meantime, the employees we have are working extended hours in difficult summer conditions to serve this city, and I appreciate the work they’re doing. We know we need to get these routes caught up, and that is our priority.”

The city is actively recruiting qualified drivers to help address the shortage.

Applicants must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and at least one year of professional driving experience.

“We need drivers, and we’re hiring now,” said Arceneaux. “If you have a CDL, the required experience, and you’re looking for steady work serving your community, I encourage you to apply. We have positions available and we need good people to fill them.”

Interested applicants can apply through the City of Shreveport’s website by visiting ShreveportLA.gov, selecting the Human Resources tab and clicking Current Job Openings.

Applicants may also apply directly through the City’s online job posting for Driver Repairer:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/shreveportla/jobs/5442427/driver-repairer

For missed collections or other service concerns, residents can submit a request through Port City 311, available through the city’s website at ShreveportLA.gov, by downloading the Port City 311 app, or by calling 318-673-5510.