CAPE CORAL — The City of Cape Coral has put the company Waste Pro on notice after numerous complaints.
The City said, if Waste Pro can’t get everybody’s trash picked up on time moving forward, it may have fines to deal with.
All over Cape Coral, trash sits on the side of the road, with no one picking it up.
“I saw all the garbage and I’m like oh my God, another day," said a woman living on NE 6th St. who did not want to be identified.
She said it’s the second trash day in a row Waste Pro didn't come.
“For it just to be sitting here for two weeks, that’s just not acceptable. You get maggots, flies, you know it’s just disgusting," said the woman.
Over on the Southwest side of the Cape, Alan Rash told us Waste Pro allowed tree clippings to sit for more than four weeks, and this week, they were a day late on trash day.
"I asked if there was any supervisors that would call or speak to me, or at least give me some idea of what’s going on. I never received a phone call back," said Rash.
The company did respond to us though, saying "The demand for qualified drivers currently outpaces the supply due to the nationwide driver shortage."
City Spokeswoman Maurine Buice said, the company told them the same thing.
"Waste Pro informed City staff that they’ve been having staffing issues. Getting attendants for their trucks has been very challenging," said Buice.
But Buice said, despite those challenges, the City is running out of patience.
"If Waste Pro can’t fix the performance issues that they’re having, the city can impose, and plans to impose fines," said Buice.
That’s something the woman on NE 6th St. was happy to hear, because she said her trash can is getting worse.
“I know I’m going to definitely clean mine out pretty good, if they ever do pick it up," said the woman.
If you’re dealing with trash issues like that, the City wants to hear from you. You can call 3-1-1 to report a problem with trash pick up, or you can send an email to 311@capecoral.net.
The City plans to take all those concerns into account when deciding whether to fine Waste Pro at a special meeting on April 7th.
