Big Changes to County Garbage Collection

Miller Waste Systems is gearing up for a major change in the way garbage is collected in Cumberland County.

Jeff Traver, Miller’s Eastern Region Manager, appeared before County Council yesterday to answer questions about the plan to consolidate garbage collection and double the number of collection routes.

The company plans to collect garbage, organics, and recyclables all on the same day, every two weeks. The current pickup schedule collects recyclables every two weeks, then garbage and organics on the alternate two week cycle.

Admittedly, it is a cost saving plan for the county, but it is also a concern for the safety and well being of employees. Two of the four pickup routes are more densely populated in the northern part of the county. A typical workday is 14 hours, especially in summer when cottagers are present. Employees cover the two southern routes in about six hours a day.

The company feels the proposed changes will even out the work proving a better life balance and safer work conditions for its employees.

Once approved, the waste collection changes will start in April, next year, but not before a public education campaign promoting the changes, new collection zones, and schedule.

The photo from our archives shows a fire at the Pugwash Transfer Station.

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