In spring 2013, Mt. Laurel switched its bulk trash collection from once a week to twice a month as part of privatizing its program.
However, some residents and managers from some of the township’s condominium complexes are not happy with how the new schedule has turned out.
Numerous people asked council to consider changes to trash collection for condominium complexes at last night’s Mt. Laurel council meeting. The residents expressed a wide range of concerns, from safety issues to the aesthetics of the area.
The biggest problem most residents had was with collection of bulk trash.
Dallas Heinemann, a long-time resident in the Le Club complex, said tenants have been told to try to hold bulk trash until the collection dates. However, she said twice a week is simply not enough for a complex housing 176 units.
“We try to tell people if you clean, please hold your stuff until the pick up date, it can be appreciated,” Heinemann said.
Heinemann said the complex has tried its best to keep the trash from piling up rapidly. However, with tenants constantly moving in and out at any point during the year, she said it’s not feasible for a complex to receive only two bulk collections a month.
“We need more,” she said. “We need that third pick up a month.”
“We pay a lot of taxes,” Heinemann continued. “All we’re asking is to pick up our trash.”
Ron Lonero, a trustee for the Ramblewood Mews complex, said the biggest problem with cutting back bulk trash collection is the safety issue. He said the regular dumpsters become blocked when bulk items pile up, creating a hazard for residents.
“It just does not work,” Lonero said. “It is not safe.”
Lonero said Ramblewood Mews has put a lot of money into making its dumpster area as clean and accessible as possible. Four years ago, the complex consolidated its dumpsters into one area, re-paved the area, walled it off and added lighting to make it safe for residents at night.
Lonero said the pile up of bulk trash has made it unsafe for residents who are throwing out their regular trash.
“You can’t get to the dumpsters,” Lonero said. “People start throwing their trash at the dumpsters.”
While bulk trash was the central complaint, Lonero said the complex’s dumpsters also overflow at times. Regular trash is only collected twice a week now instead of three times a week. Lonero said the problem is noticeable during the holidays and other times when people have excessive trash.
“We have a space to put it,” Lonero said. “There’s a limited amount of room.”
The Municipal Apartment Condominium Collection Service, or MACCS program, collects trash in Mt. Laurel’s condominium complexes. Numerous Burlington County communities participate in the program. However, Mt. Laurel still collects bulk trash in-house.
Council acknowledged the group has valid concerns about trash collection problems. Mayor David D’Antonio asked township manager Maureen Mitchell to take a look at the issue and see if the township can make improvements.
