Canton Joins Group of Municipalities Writing Republic Services Urging Timelier Updates and Speedy Trash Collection Stoppage Resolution

CANTON — Canton Town Administrator Charles E. Doody has joined a group of municipal leaders in sending a letter to Republic Services asking for better communication and urging the company to quickly find a resolution to ongoing trash collection issues throughout the region.

“We write to you as municipal leaders from across the region and as customers of Republic Services, regarding the ongoing work stoppage caused by stalled union negotiations,” Doody wrote, co-signing the July 3 letter with municipal leaders from the cities of Malden, Peabody, Gloucester, Watertown and Beverly; and the towns of Danvers, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Swampscott, and Wakefield. “Reliable curbside waste and recycling collection is an essential public service, and this disruption has had significant ripple effects throughout our communities.”

Earlier this week, the Town of Canton kept residents up to date regarding the ongoing disruption in trash and recycling collection services due to a work stoppage by Republic Services initiated by the company’s labor union.

“While we fully respect the collective bargaining process, we strongly urge all parties to return to the negotiating table in good faith to reach a fair and timely resolution,” Doody and the other municipal leaders wrote. “As the impasse continues, the impacts on our residents, businesses, and municipal operations will undoubtedly become increasingly difficult to manage.”

Republic Services informed the Town that crews from outside Massachusetts are currently being mobilized and will begin curbside collection operations in Canton starting Monday, July 7.

But as a result, residents have been asked to not place trash or recycling at the curb for the remainder of this week. Collection efforts will resume next week to catch up on missed pickups and restore normal service as quickly as possible.

“As this situation progresses, we are compelled to raise several pressing issues that have exacerbated the impact of the work stoppage,” Doody and his fellow municipal leaders wrote, citing the following:

• Lack of timely communication: Municipal leaders have not received consistent or coordinated updates from Republic Services throughout the negotiating process or following the work stoppage announcement. This has hindered our ability to effectively inform residents, plan municipal operations, and manage expectations during a service disruption.
• Delays in deploying backup resources: The pace at which contingency plans and substitute crews have been mobilized has been concerning. Several communities are expected to be without service for extended periods of time with little clarity on when or how coverage will resume.
• Fragmented messaging across communities: The absence of unified communication to all impacted municipalities has contributed to confusion and frustration. A coordinated, transparent approach is essential to managing public trust and maintaining continuity of service.
• Potential Public Health emergencies: The impacts of stored and/or stockpiled trash and the potential of illegal dumping leave the communities in a position to remedy public health impacts.

“We strongly request that Republic Services leadership hold regular update meetings with municipal leaders from the affected communities — timely, consistent communication is essential to ensure that all parties are informed and aligned,” the municipal leaders wrote. “These regular updates, along with opportunities for direct questions, will help us all work collaboratively to plan more effectively, respond appropriately, and minimize disruption.”

The municipal leaders requested a virtual meeting with company representatives.

“Once again, we continue to respect the collective bargaining process and the rights of workers to negotiate fair terms,” the letter concludes. “At the same time, we expect clearer, more proactive communication and contingency planning moving forward.”

The Town of Canton appreciates the continued patience and understanding of its residents during this disruption. The Town will continue to provide timely updates as more information becomes available.

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