New Ocean Pines Trash Vendor Takes Over Next Month

BERLIN – In spite of concerns from residents, Ocean Pines officials are confident in the new company they have selected to provide the community’s trash collection.

Last month, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors voted to award the association’s trash contract to Republic Services. Waste Management provided the community’s trash collection for the past three years.

“Every third year we evaluate our service contract for trash removal,” said Bob Thompson, Ocean Pines Association general manager. “It’s standard practice.”

The decision prompted questions from residents, who were concerned about the lack of information immediately available regarding Republic’s collection services and the speed with which the decision to change companies was made.

Thompson said he solicited trash collection proposals from several companies and decided to recommend a contract with Republic to the board of directors because it was the cheapest.

“Republic provided a more cost effective price,” he said. “There are a lot of people who were pleased with Waste Management. This is no reflection on the quality of service, this was an economic decision.”

Republic will offer trash collection twice a week — Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday — just like Waste Management did. Recyclables will be picked up once a week on the second trash pick-up day. Republic will provide a 65-gallon recycling container. For trash, residents can use their own containers or rent one from Republic for $1.20 a month.

“I’m confident we’ll have quality trash and recycling collection,” Thompson said.

Thompson said if issues arise he was confident they would be addressed quickly.

According to the Ocean Pines Association, any resident who wants to receive curbside trash and recycling collection needs to sign up with Republic Services by Dec. 19. Representatives from the company will be at the Ocean Pines Community Center Dec. 12 and 13. Residents can also enroll by calling Republic at 302-658-4097.

The company will begin its service in Ocean Pines Jan. 2 at a cost of $15.57 a month.

Waste Management will pick up its containers Jan. 2-15. Individuals who have paid Waste Management for service past Dec. 31 should contact the company at 800-633-9096 to discuss their account.