Expect Ongoing Garbage, Recycling Pickup Delays In Tempe: City

TEMPE, AZ — The city of Tempe is advising its residential garbage, recycling and green organics customers that they should not be surprised at delays in pickup "for the foreseeable future."

The city attributes the ongoing delays to a chronic staffing shortage that was exacerbated over the holidays by unexpected absences because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Garbage and recycling collection will at times run behind schedule and some containers may not be serviced until later in the day or later in the week," the city said in a news release.

The city advises customers whose trash or garbage is not picked up on the scheduled day or time to leave the containers at the curb. If solid waste is running behind schedule, employees might do collections later in the day or in the week, the city said.

While the city struggles with solid waste staffing, Tempe is asking residents not to put out their containers for collection unless they are three-quarters full or need to be emptied because of foul odors. The city also requests that customers break down their own cardboard boxes to help speed up collection.

"This situation has been, and continues to be, the result of staffing shortages and challenges associated with recruiting, hiring and retaining qualified operators, as well as other factors such as procurement delays due to supply chain issues, transfer station delays due to manpower shortages," Tempe said in the news release.

The city added that this situation is a problem throughout the solid waste industry, not just in Tempe. The city promised that it's working to ensure that no garbage routes are missed each week. First priority is given to garbage collection routes, followed by recycling, then green organics, according to the city.

"We understand that this situation is an inconvenience and we appreciate your patience and support," the city said.