Trash Collection Update – Problems Persist with Republic’s Service

Borough officials continue to communicate with Republic numerous times every day over their admittedly poor performance and missed collections, both trash carts and bulk.

We have met with senior Republic representatives, discussed our legal options and have withheld payment.

This problem is not unique to Palmyra however; every town that Republic serves, as well as every other trash contractor in other communities — all across the state and country even — have been affected by industry-wide issues that are primarily due to having an insufficient number of certified CDL drivers who are necessary to operate large trash trucks. As a result, we often get newly assigned drivers who are less experienced than long-term drivers who have worked Palmyra on a regular basis. In other words, we get whomever is available.

In addition, supply chain and manufacturing delays have increased the lead time for new trucks and spare parts to well over a year and a half.

You should know the Borough is considering in-house trash collection and will make those necessary arrangements in future bid specifications. The current contract with Republic expires in March 2023.

The Borough continues to take every action to enforce our rights and the Mayor, Borough Council and administration — along with our legal representatives — take this matter very seriously, as the health threat that it is.

Declaring Republic in default is always an option – but we still need our trash collected every week and there are presently no viable alternatives.

Following is our current collection schedule:

Bulk trash pickup is the first Monday of Every month but could last the entire week depending on volume.
Bulk trash should be placed curbside by 6:00 AM on the first Monday of the month.

Regular trash pickup remains every Tuesday but could also take several days to complete. Please call us per the instructions below!
Regular trash should be placed curbside by 6:00 AM Tuesday morning.

If your regular and/or bulk trash is not picked up by Tuesday at 3:00 PM, please call Public Works at 856-829-8215 extension 2 and leave a message.
The messages are continually monitored and will be retrieved with in a short period after your call — missed trash and/or bulk will be reported to Republic by 4:30 PM.

Please leave your carts curbside.  There is no need to call Republic directly.

Extra regular trash and bulk trash can also be taken directly to public works at 1 Firth Lane, Palmyra, NJ 08065 on Saturday mornings from 7:00 PM – 12:00 PM and Wednesday evenings during the summer from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Thank you for your patience as we work towards a resolution.