Cities in Southeast Michigan hit with major changes to household waste collection

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Waste collection is undergoing a massive transition in Southeast Michigan.

This week, GFL Environmental informed customers that it is selling its residential collection services to Priority Waste.

West Bloomfield Township is one of 75 municipalities affected by the change that takes effect July 1.

Township Supervisor Steve Kaplan says some GFL drivers have already left to take jobs with priority waste, leaving GFL struggling to keep up with its current workload, causing waste to pile up, as well as frustration.

“We have answered more than 700 calls in the last three days from people wondering when their rubbish will be collected. Why are we answering those calls? Because if we don’t it means the residents will call GFL, the main number, and they might be put on hold for 60 minutes and then talk to someone with a bad attitude who doesn’t know when the next pickup will be,” Kaplan said.

West Bloomfield Township is focused on ensuring a smooth transition, including maintaining the existing four-day pickup schedule that residents have relied on for years.

They have yet to comply with Priority Waste, but plan to make several demands, including a $10 refund for residents due to the missed collections so far.

“Not only do you have the smell, but sometimes animals get into the garbage bags and spread the food,” Kaplan said.

Although GFL’s announcement caught several dozen municipalities off guard, in Canton Township they were already planning to switch to priority waste starting July 29.

“They have a lot of cameras and they use technology. So their technology will find the route. So once they get used to the routes, the trucks will help them get to where they need to go. And that’s important because if you have problems with resources and if you put in substitutions you will get a lot of missed pick-ups because they drive past the courthouse. Canton Township has a lot of courts and a lot of little hidden neighborhoods Graham-Hudak, Canton Township Supervisor.

CBS News Detroit reached out to GFL asking about the transition and the delays, but has not heard back yet.