By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Ocean Pines trash collection vendor Republic Services is offering residents the option to use smaller bins for depositing household waste after issues arose with the contractor’s transition to larger, heavier cans.

Republic Services, the community’s contractor located in Delmar, recently adjusted its waste collection model to require the utilization of new 95-gallon bins, discontinue the use of resident-owned smaller cans, and mandate that trash stored in Hefty or other plastic bags is not eligible for pick up.

Previously, some Ocean Pines citizens elected to use their own small bins for collection days rather than the Republic receptacles. The new regulations recently announced by the vendor initially made it so that using the new 95-gallon cans provided by the contractor, dropped off to households last month, would be the sole option for trash pick-up.

Many residents reached out to the Ocean Pines Association regarding the modifications. Individuals cited a too-heavy and bulky container, complicated for some by physical limitations, and an inability to roll the larger cans over gravel driveways as their primary worries. Others have struggled to properly store and shield the new 95-gallon bins from the front view, a guideline required by the community’s Declarations of Restrictions. As a result, a town hall was held on Friday, Oct. 18, where neighborhood citizens could address their concerns with Republic Services representatives.

“The inability to use larger cans results in our residents using smaller cans, trash bags, or taking their trash to the Berlin Transfer Station,” OPA Board Member Jeff Heavner said. “The recent transition to larger cans and not allowing our residents to either use smaller cans or bagged trash is negatively impacting our community… Since the recent change, I’ve seen a substantial number of cans either left at the curb or placed in yards in full view.  This is a safety hazard for walkers, runners, and bike riders.”

In response to the feedback, Republic Services will now allow residents to sign up for a smaller 36-gallon bin in place of the 95-gallon. The size-adjusted receptacles will be roughly 10 pounds lighter than the initial option and will be provided by the company. OPA members can contact the vendor at 443-210-3505 or Ocean Pines if they wish to receive the alternative. As the new containers must be specially ordered, they will take a few weeks to arrive.

Republic Services General Manager Anthony Spirito said that resident-owned containers and plastic bags were discontinued to improve safety and worker accommodations. Requiring customers to use the Republic-issued bins allows the trash collectors to dump the contents in the truck via an electronic arm, which keeps them away from reckless drivers on the side of the road and protects their bodies from the constant strain caused by the repeated manual lifting necessary when garbage is stored in Hefty sacks or non-Republic Services cans.

“Our employees, when they are outside of the truck, are at risk of getting hit,” Spirito said. “…Our employees manually lifting these containers and putting them in the trucks is a wear and tear on their body. There was a time when our residential divers’ lifespans in the industry, right around the time they get to 40s or 50s, they are having knee surgeries, they are having shoulder surgeries, they are having back issues. We do not want our employees to have a 10–15-year window.”

Republic Services Municipal Manager Dominic Fulginiti clarified that despite the new rule, a few extra plastic bags will still be collected, provided they are placed next to the new containers. The sanitation workers will reload the bins with the miscellaneous sacks and use the automated arm or manually throw them into the truck if they’re light enough.

“When we put the carts out, the standard language is cart contents only,” he said. “However, we can collect extra bags. We would reload the containers. That does not include bulk items or construction debris. But if you happen to have a wild, crazy Halloween party and you have 10 extra bags of cannoli dip, we are going to refill the container.”

Along with the smaller cans, Republic Services is upping its offerings by introducing an additional six-yard waste pickups throughout the fall. These days, there will be no limit to how many sacks may be collected, but the leaves must be organized in brown paper bags. Currently, the sanitation company allows Ocean Pines residents to put out up to five leaf-filled containers for the two weekly collection days. This regular policy will act in conjunction with the new autumnal service.

“Anytime there is change, there is some chaos,” OPA General Manager John Viola said. “I know you do not want to hear that, but it is what we do with it, how we address it afterward, and I truly believe this team here and everybody else is addressing it.”