Waterloo Region pleads for patience amid waste collection backlog

As another waste collection cycle is starting, did last week’s problems get resolved? CTV’s Colton Wiens finds out.

Residents are still reporting delays with Waterloo Region’s new waste collection schedule.

On Tuesday, one week after the launch, green bins lined the street along The Country Way in Kitchener.

Neighbours said they were supposed to be picked up on Friday.

“I’m a little upset with it,” Rodney Higgins told CTV News. “Because of the new system, I understand, it takes time and all that… I’ve heard there’s other neighbouring communities around that have the same type of system. You think they would have gone and asked, ‘How did your rollout go your first week?’”

The region posted an update to social media on Sunday which said crews would finish collection on Monday.

That didn’t happen on The Country Way.

“Many cases of missed collection were reported early and have since been resolved,” the region said in an email to CTV News on Tuesday. “The Region is checking with residents who filled out the form about missed pick up last week. If the waste is not picked up, the Region will reach out with next steps.”

Meanwhile, residents throughout the region also said their bins had been damaged.

“Residents with damaged carts can reach out to the Region through the online form, or by contacting the Service First Contact Centre, to arrange for them to be repaired or replaced,” the region said.

For now, waste collection is back on its regular pickup schedule, but anyone who is still having issues is encouraged to fill out the online form.