Two trash haulers – including the state’s largest waste management company — are seeking to loosen several key solid waste regulations in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. Casella Waste Systems and West Charleston-based Austins Rubbish & Roll-Off Services want to see a ban on food scraps in the trash — set to go into effect this July — delayed “indefinitely.” They also want to landfill recyclables during the state of emergency.
Casella, which is also making contingency plans if their workers get sick, contends these measures are needed to minimize disruption to trash pickup. The requests come as some recycling and trash drop-off centers around the state have closed or reduced hours during the pandemic.
Casella CEO John Casella wrote to Gov. Phil Scott on March 17, saying that the company anticipates pandemic-related challenges ranging from difficulty selling recyclable materials to problems with their subcontracted haulers. He called on Scott to “strongly contemplate” taking emergency steps like allowing waste to be collected 24/7 and lifting the ban on recyclables being landfilled, among other measures.