‘It’s the principle:’ Bend residents share concerns about missed glass recycling pickup by Republic Services

Company says in statement they have been working to resolve 'staffing challenges'

(Update: adding video, poll, comment from Bend resident, Republic Services, City of Bend)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Some Bend residents have shared with NewsChannel 21 their grievances with garbage and recycling companies not making scheduled pickup of their glass recycling lately.

Some have expressed their discontent with having to pay for a full service but not seeing that service in return.

Bend resident Charles Wollitz said Thursday, "I resent the fact that Republic keeps billing me the full amount for my garbage pickup every month, even though they don't pick up all my garbage. So I'm paying for service I'm not getting, and you know, I've complained to everybody I can think of. It hasn't seemed to have made any any effect."

Wollitz says Republic Services has neglected to pick up his glass recycling bins since Tuesday. The bins remained untouched as of Thursday morning. Wollitz says this has been happening sporadically over the last year and a half. When he calls to express concern, he's told it'll get taken care of, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

"When they don't pick it up, we have to put in our regular trash bin, which fills that up," he said. "We are -- we have a small trash bin. Normally, that's just fine, but when we throw the bottles in there, we have to do it over a couple of weeks, so we don't overfill our trash bin."

Wollitz isn't the only one with grievances. In response to our social post on Facebook, other Bend residents in Bend and Redmond expressed frustration with Republic Services.

Selena Cook commented, "Twice now, three weeks apart, they skipped over our house and another neighbor's as well. This is with Republic." Another commenter, Irene Miller said, "Bend Garbage was the best. Since Republic took over, it's been more money, and they miss a lot of my glass and auto oil."

Wollitz says he pays on average around $25 a month for service. 

"It's the principle of the thing," he said. "You know, if you're going to collect money from me, then provide the service that I'm paying you for."

NewsChannel 21 had a meeting set with a Republic Services representative, but they canceled, saying corporate officials wouldn’t authorize the interview.

Instead, they provided a statement, saying Covid created staffing challenges, but they've taken steps to address the issue and set up a texting system to communicate with customers. They added that they've also opened  local offices for community members to express concerns. 

Wollitz says he's gone to the city and county for help and has been told their hands are tied.

In a statement, the City of Bend said it forwards customer complaints to Cascade Disposal and Republic Services. They have two weeks to provide a written response to those complaints. The city said it does not get involved in individual disputes between customers and the companies. 

Wollitz said, "I don't know how they operate their company. But like I said, they've always been pleasant to deal with, but it's just not getting the job done."

Wollitz says he's filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and he suggests if Republic does not address these issues, it may be headed for a class-action lawsuit.