The contractor responsible for curbside residential collection in Barrie has brought in trucks from other regions as Waste Connections of Canada (WCC) plays catch-up in the wake of delays in picking up recycling.
A number of streets have been impacted, which WCC blames on a shortage of contract truck drivers.
Either way, the city has washed its hands of WCC and has awarded the next contract for curbside collection to a different company beginning in May 2024.
In an email response to Barrie 360, the city said the contractor finished the collection of recycling in the Friday area on Tuesday afternoon and has started in areas not picked up on Monday. The city has said recycling collection may be scheduled for Saturday, March 4, to help ensure all recycling is collected.
Last fall, there was blowback when bags of leaves were left at the curbside for weeks uncollected, which again WCC blamed on a shortage of truck drivers.
"The city issued financial penalties to Waste Connections in the fall," the city said in its email. "The city has an agreement with Waste Connections and that agreement provides remedies in the event of non-performance."
The city did not identify the new company that will be responsible for curbside residential collection.
The current delays do not impact garbage and organics collection.
More information about recycling collection delays: barrie.ca/RecyclingCollectionDelays
