Michigan Township Switches to Single Hauler System

The Waterford, Mich., Township Board of Trustees just voted to switch its residential collection contract to a single waste hauler.

The township ended up awarding the contract to GFL Environmental after several months of discussions with residents who either opposed or discouraged the switch to a single hauler. According to The Oakland Press, residents raised concerns about the price and level of service they would receive with a single hauler over having a choice of haulers.

Under the five-year contract, Waterford’s 26,000 residents will be contracting directly with GFL, as opposed to having the single hauler trash pickup added to their tax bill. In the contract, GFL states that the township would receive a 5 percent discount on services if it were to allow collections Monday through Friday, instead of Monday through Thursday, according to the report.

The Oakland Press has more:

The Waterford Township Board of Trustees voted Aug. 26 to switch the township to a single residential waste hauler, awarding the contract to GFL Environmental.

The board has been in discussions over the switch since the beginning of summer, bringing residents out to town hall to oppose or discourage the switch. The most common comment from residents is that they wanted a choice of trash hauler, followed by concerns about the price and level of service they would receive. Township Supervisor Gary Wall continually stated the board would only vote in favor of the switch if it made financial sense for the township.

Read the full article here.