Republic Services strike: Bay Area trash collection delays continue
Problems and garbage bags pile up as a sanitation workers strike continues to drag on affecting around two dozen Bay Area cities.
Some communities are finding alternative solutions together to avoid overflowing trash bins.
In Alameda County, Fremont, Newark and Union City are teaming up to avoid very stinky and potentially unhealthy situation.
Trash, recycling and compost bins were still out and not getting picked up on Thursday by sanitation provider Republic Services in several cities across the Bay Area.
Garbage pick up has stopped for tens of thousands of households and businesses in the region serviced by Republic Services because workers have staged a solidarity strike with workers fighting for a new contract in the Central Valley city of Manteca.
In an effort to stop the trash from piling up, residents and businesses in Newark and Fremont are being asked to bring their waste to a recycling center in Fremont. The center processes 300,000 tons of waste a year and expects that tonnage to increase significantly with the strike.
Residential garbage drop-off sites have been set up in Union City at the BART station and Mark Green Sports Center.
Fremont, Newark and Union City are also working on a long-term plan in case the strike drags on, but have not yet ironed out details.
Republic Services in a statement said it is ready to resume negotiations with the union and reach a deal that benefits everyone involved. But for now, talks remain stalled.
The company previously said it anticipates “temporary service delays” for some recycling and waste collection customers in the following areas:
- Stockton
- San Jose
- Solano County
- Fairfield
- Suisun City
- San Pablo
- Richmond
- Hercules
- Pinole
- Rodeo
- Crockett
- El Sobrante
- Piedmont
- East Richmond Heights
- Bay View
- Montalvan
- Tara Hills
- North Richmond
- Rollingwood
- Union City
- Newark
- Freemont
- Half Moon Bay
- Daly City
- Colma
“We are making adjustments to our operations to continue providing service during this situation,” Republic Services said in a statement.