Transition to new garbage collection provider underway

DeSoto County Director of Environmental Services/Parks and Greenways Ray Laughter updated the Board of Supervisors this week about the transition in garbage collection service from Waste Pro to Waste Connections. Laughter’s main message coming from the report was for residents to be patient as the transition continues, and once the transition is complete, the service will be better than it has been over the past several months.  

The county’s contract with Waste Pro ended at the end of September and when put out for bid, supervisors selected Waste Connections to take over the contract for garbage and recycling services to residents in the unincorporated areas of DeSoto County.  

The old contract saw Waste Pro provided late service happen more frequently, or no service at all and that led county officials to not continue with Waste Pro and switch to a new provider.  

“We’ve had a few bumps in the road, but Waste Connections’ priority now is to get everyone who doesn’t have a cart, a cart, and focus on those who need second and third carts,” Laughter told DeSoto County News on Monday. “As of right now, we’re telling people to continue to call Waste Connections at 901-398-5400 or you can call us at 662-469-8152. We’re working to make sure everyone gets a cart. If anyone has any other problems, they can call us about it.”

Laughter said it is the third time that he has overseen a switch to a new garbage pickup provider and this one had gone “relatively smooth,” as he put it. He is just asking for some patience from the public during the switchover.   

“Waste Connections is working until dark every day, working seven days a week until they get everybody a cart and get everybody picked up,” Laughter said.  

Waste Pro may still be in the process of collecting their carts and Laughter wants residents to call his office if their Waste Pro cart is not picked up.  He also said if Waste Pro did not get your garbage in the last week of their contract, a county garbage truck will be dispatched to pick it up. 

“The board has prioritized that we get everybody serviced and we allow Waste Connections room to do their job,” Laughter said. “We’re going to work with them and support them anyway we can. We’ll help them deliver carts, help them pick up garbage, however they need us until things begin to run smoothly, because they have a good system in place.”

He added Waste Connections has a full staff and extra people were brought in to help with the DeSoto County contract.  

“They’re going to do their job and they’re going to do it better than in the past contract,” Laughter added.  

More information about garbage services, including rates, is found on the official DeSoto County website.