Bend Garbage sold to Ariz.-based Republic Services
A big ownership change is coming to one of the basic services folks depend on in Central Oregon: garbage pickup — as a local, family-owned business is being purchased by the No. 2 provider in the country.
Bend Garbage Co. announced Wednesday it has entered into an agreement to sell Bend Garbage & Recycling, High Country Disposal and Deschutes Recycling to Republic Services, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona, the nation’s second-largest trash hauler, behind only Waste Management Inc.
Bend Garbage & Recycling and High Country Disposal provide waste management, recycling and hauling services in Bend, Redmond and Sisters. Deschutes Recycling is a recycling depot and compost facility located at Knott Landfill in Bend.
Brad Bailey, president of Bend Garbage Company, said in a statement, “We have been honored to work with our cities, counties, and such a great community over the years, but we feel now is the time for our family to retire and transition the company to new ownership.”
The company said Republic Services is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal, and currently serves several communities across Oregon.
“Republic Services brings a high level of experience in solid waste management and disposal, recycling, and sustainability initiatives, and I am confident their team will provide the excellent level of service our customers have come to expect,” Bailey explained.
“I have confidence in their ability to successfully lead the company and our employees into the future.”
Bailey assured that customers will not experience any interruption in their services throughout the transition and should visit bendgarbage.com or call 541-382-2263 if they have questions about their account.
Brad Bailey and his father and predecessor, Bruce Bailey, did not disclose terms of the deal, but said the transaction is expected to close in late March.
Brad Bailey said Bend Garbage is about 60 years old and that his mother and father, Bruce and Karin, moved over from the Valley and acquired it from the original owner in 1985, involving other family members along the way.
“There were 12 employees then, 112 now,” Bailey told NewsChannel 21.
While assuring that the timing with recent heavy snow-related challenges is coincidental, Bailey did acknowledge, “This is about the toughest we’ve ever seen.”
“We suspended most services last week and are struggling this week, not able to complete all routes,” he said. “We’re extremely grateful to the customers for being so patient and understanding” as they, too, navigate the tall snow mounds and slippery streets to do their jobs.
“It was important to us that the company who stepped in our footsteps would carry on what we’ve started here,” Bailey said. “We’re confident based on what we see in other communities that they shared our values and will treat our employees well.”
Bailey, 57, said he’ll remain aboard for about a year, during the transition. And he may well not be retiring, as in no more work. But he does have his first grandchild, a 2-month-old granddaughter, who lives in Seattle with her family and is an extra reason to do some traveling.
