Painesville residents who opened their mailboxes to find surprise $50 trash cart invoices can put their checkbooks away. City officials today told homeowners to ignore the bills, which appeared to charge $50 per trash or recycling cart just as the city prepares to switch garbage haulers. The timing, with the outgoing company in its final week of collections, left some neighborhoods understandably confused.
City leaders say the invoices were mailed by Republic Services and sought $50 per cart for retrieval. City Communications Director Mike Cook told the outlet the notices were sent in error and that residents should not pay them. As reported by Cleveland.com, officials are urging people to disregard the mailings while the city sorts out the mistake.
When the switch happens
The city says Republic Services remains responsible for curbside collection through June 26, and Major Waste Disposal Services is scheduled to begin pickups the week of June 29. Residents were asked to leave Republic carts at the curb after the outgoing company's final collection so crews can retrieve them, and to contact the Public Service Department at (440) 392-9676 if service is missed. The city also warned that crews will make only one attempt to collect Republic's containers and that some homes may briefly have two sets of carts during the swap, according to the City of Painesville.
What the new contract covers
"Major Waste will provide weekly trash and recycling pickup, weekly seasonal yard waste collection, bulk item pickup, and a senior discount program," the city noted after City Council approved the agreement in May. The council voted 6-0 to join an existing Major Waste contract covering nearby communities, according to the City of Painesville.
The surprise billing surfaced as Republic prepared to remove its carts after completing its final collections, and the city has repeated that the mailings were an error and should be ignored. Cleveland.com reported that officials asked residents to be patient during the transition between haulers and to report any missed pickups so the city can follow up.
If you received one of the invoices, keep it on file and make sure your carts stay accessible for crews. City staff say they will monitor routes through the changeover and urged residents with questions to call the Public Service Department for guidance.
