Coronavirus isn’t the only reason trash pickup is delayed in parts of Richland County
Curbside garbage pickup has been delayed in parts of Richland County.
One of the biggest reasons for the backup in trash collection is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Richland County’s Solid Waste & Recycling officials said Tuesday in a news release.
But the COVID-19 health crisis is not the only cause behind the delays that has seen trash bins on streets longer than normal.
Another major factor has been the bouts of severe weather that have impacted the Columbia area over the past three weeks. Several of those storms moved through the region in the early morning hours when trash collectors would normally be on the road.
That severe weather compounded the issues caused by the coronavirus, according to the release.
The trash haulers Richland County contracted to pickup garbage have had staff restrictions in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, officials said. The companies contracted by the county include Waste Management, Waste Industries, CWS, Johnson’s Garbage Service, officials said.
Workers on the trash haulers are wearing masks and gloves as safety measures, according to officials.
Additionally, because of the “home or work” executive order — and with so many people otherwise staying at home to limit exposure — Richland County’s residents are “generating more yard waste than usual,” according to the release.
Officials said they are working with the haulers to deal with delays and complaints from customers.
“Trash and yard waste are collected as soon as possible — and sometimes the pickup is not the same day,” according to the release. “Residents are advised delays are possible anywhere because of the continued ripple effect of the current health crisis.”
Officials said not all areas of Richland County have experienced a wait for pickup, and those areas have varied. The delays have been for less than 24 hours, and routes are usually completed the following morning, officials said.
In March, Richland County temporarily suspended some of its solid waste collection because of the coronavirus. That was also when county officials said curbside collection of large bulk items such as furniture, carpets, mattresses and appliances would stop, The State reported.
Officials are directing residents with questions to call the county ombudsman’s office at 803-929-6000.
Take it to the landfill
In addition to curbside collection, Richland County Solid Waste & Recycling officials said residents can drop off trash at one of the following locations in the county:
▪ Clemson Road drop-off site — It only accepts recycling materials and is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, except for Mondays and Wednesdays.
▪ Lower Richland drop-off site — It accepts bulk items, metal, construction debris, electronics, waste tires, latex paint and recycling materials; and is currently open 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The site is closed Tuesdays and Thursdays.
▪ Richland County’s C&D Landfill Drop-Off Center — It accepts the same materials as Lower Richland, and is open from 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
SOURCE: Richland County Solid Waste & Recycling Division
This story was originally published April 29, 2020 at 9:48 AM.
