Suburbs across Metro Detroit are up in arms over Priority Waste's recent service disruptions, with residents reporting missed trash, recycling, and compost pickups. The company's new CEO, Aaron Johnson, has been tasked with addressing these issues, but the question remains: can he turn things around?
The service disruptions have been ongoing since Memorial Day, with some communities, like St. Clair Shores, taking drastic measures. They're switching haulers, reviewing penalties, withholding payments, and exploring other contract enforcement options. The mayor of Dearborn Heights, Mo Baydoun, is demanding a $13,000 reduction in Priority Waste's May invoice and is withholding payment while reviewing additional enforcement options.
The issues came to a head after Priority Waste expanded its southeast Michigan footprint through the acquisition of GFL Environmental’s municipal collection operations, affecting approximately 75 communities. The transition contributed to service disruptions, with broken-down trucks and uncollected recycling and yard waste.
In Westland, Mayor Kevin Coleman agrees with the sentiment, noting that the company has taken on more than it can handle. The city is reviewing route maps and contract provisions that could allow them to assess fees for missed or delayed pickups. Clinton Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem also mentions that the township has a five-year contract with Priority Waste, with a $50 fine for every missed pickup not handled within 24 hours.
Priority Waste has acknowledged the recent service issues, attributing them to financial and operational challenges. They've hired 28 new drivers, ordered 91 new collection trucks, and are working to reduce service backlogs. The company's new CEO, Aaron Johnson, has been tasked with improving operations and reliability, with owner TPG investing approximately $190 million to stabilize the business, modernize its fleet, and improve route reliability and customer service.
However, the question remains: can Johnson turn things around? With a history of service disruptions and a new CEO, it's unclear if the company will be able to meet the demands of its customers and communities. The suburbs are watching closely, and the future of Priority Waste's reliability and consistency hangs in the balance.
