Waste Management customers frustrated by delayed trash pick

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People living on Dodge Lane in Valley Station say their trash was picked up Monday for the first time in three weeks, and it's becoming a regular problem.

Jeff Melcher said his trash is supposed to be picked up weekly but that hasn't been the case over the last six months.

"It's almost like they pick it up two weeks in a row, and then they miss a week and then two weeks, miss a week, and then sometimes double weeks. You just never know," Melcher said.

Melcher says communication with the company has also gotten steadily worse.

"We don't even get messages anymore. It just seems like they don't want to be in the residential trash pick-up anymore," Melcher said.

Metro Councilman Khalil Batshon lives down the street and has experienced the same problems.

"I have had to myself take several things to my personal business and dump it because I've had that luxury but not everybody has that luxury," Batshon said.

Batshon's neighborhood is not in the Urban Services District, so they're left to contract with other companies. In this case, it's Waste Management.

Batshon says he's been getting calls from other people in his district seeking help with the same problem.

"I took the liberty of calling Waste Management and reaching out and saying, 'Hey, what's the problem? What's going on,'" Batshon said.

Batshon says the company told him they were behind, but offered no other explanation.

Waste Management released this statement to WLKY:

"WM is focused on the safety of our employees and the communities that we serve. As we transition fully to automated side load (ASL) trucks, all waste must be bagged and inside the WM cart. Any WM customer that doesn't have a WM cart should reach out to Customer Service at 800-607-9509, to request one.

"Jennifer McKay, Sr. Communications Specialist - Mid South"

According to neighbors, even trash that is properly loaded in the appropriate carts isn't getting picked up, and getting assistance is nearly impossible.

"The neighbors are fed up. The community is fed up. We need better service. We need to have better communication," Batshon said.

Demarko Hurkes has been driving for Waste Management for three months and says the company is really trying to get to all of its customers, but staffing has made that challenging.

"Honestly, no one wants to be a trash man," Hurkes said.

At first, Hurkes was also hesitant to take a job picking up trash, but now says he's happy with his decision and the company.

"It's great money. There's nothing wrong with the pay. It comes down to the fact that we need qualified employees, qualified CDL Class B, Class A drivers, and people who actually want to work," Hurkes said.

Melcher says he understands the struggles companies are facing right now but says they must do better.

"All I know is if you pay for a service, then you should get it, and we haven't been getting it," Melcher said.