Correction: A previous version of this story misstated when trash and recycling would be picked up for residents who did not receive service Feb. 3 and 4. Their trash and recycling will be picked up Feb. 10 and 11, respectively.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard is considering legal action against Republic Services for failing to pick up trash and recycling in the city Feb. 4.
According to a press release issued by the City of Carmel, the city had street department employees work overnight into the morning Feb. 4 to ensure all streets were plowed after city officials were told by Republic that service would resume that day.
On Feb. 4, however, the city learned that Republic did not plan to pick up trash and recycling until Feb. 6 and 7. Residents who did not have their trash and recycling picked up Feb. 3 and 4 will have it picked up Feb. 10 and 11, respectively.
The press release stated that Republic “blamed the lack of drivers and the condition of the roads outside of Carmel” for its decision.
“I pointed out (to Republic on Feb. 4) that all of Carmel’s roughly 500 miles of roads, as of 8 a.m. today, were plowed and open as a result of our 92-vehicle, snow-removal fleet and staff working all last night,” Brainard stated. “This snowstorm was not a surprise and had been forecast for many days. Republic knew they might need to make arrangements to secure drivers who live outside the city and bring them to Carmel. The city would have been happy to help with that effort.”
Republic Services issued a statement about its decision to cancel services Feb. 3 and 4.
“The Republic Services team cares about the communities we serve, and the safety of employees and residents is our top priority,” it stated. “Due to the severe winter storm that has been affecting many areas across the country, we made an initial decision to suspend service on Thursday. We continued to monitor conditions and the forecast and determined that it would not be safe to operate on Friday. We are proud to serve the Carmel community and look forward to resuming service as soon as it is safe to do so.”
