In response to a directive from Mayor Jean Stothert to solve its issue with trash collection delays in the city, FCC Environmental has added drivers and expanded its pick-up schedule. According to an email sent to Omaha residents experiencing trash pick-up delays, FCC has extended driver schedules and has added drivers to Omaha routes “by relocating employees from other cities to assist,” effective immediately. “FCC managers who are CDL certified will also be assigned to collection routes, and all drivers will work Saturdays to collect missed or rescheduled collections,” the email states.
The changes will be in effect until trash collections catch up to scheduled pick-up times. The company has most recently been experiencing delays with yard waste pickup, which was itself delayed after FCC prioritized picking up carted garbage and recyclables in late October. Omaha awarded its trash collection contract to FCC Environmental in 2020. The company added yard waste collection in 2021. People have been complaining about the recent delays.
With the race on to get all of the leaves raked out of our yards before the first heavy snowfall, the city’s waste collector is making adjustments to keep up with the pace. As Omaha residents line up bags of yard waste to be picked up, the removal has been running slow. “We are seeing an increased call volume,” said Jim Kee, the quality-control manager for Omaha Public Works. “I just think that’s kind of normal when you have a bit of a lag in service.”