ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — St. Johns County reports possible delays in collecting yard waste. This comes as Republic Services, a waste collection company, reports facing a staffing shortage both locally and regionally.
The county’s Solid Waste Division is working with Republic Services to collect yard debris “as quickly as possible,” the county said.
St. Johns County Public Works is asking locals in the northern part of the county to be patient as it reports crews are about five days behind on picking up yard waste.
STORY: JEA production crews, professional contractors tree trimming during hurricane season in Jacksonville
“They pick up yard waste every week for St. Johns County. That’s 66,000 homes in the northern part for public services, so over time we do miss a pickup here and there, but a little bit of delay just compounds the issue,” Public Works director Greg Caldwell said.
Caldwell says Republic Services is about six to eight people short. That means fewer workers manning the company’s up to 10 trucks that usually go out every day.
“They feel like the economic stimulus package and some of the government issues that were going on have increased the shortage for them,” Caldwell added.
Clay County reports similar issues with collecting yard waste, reporting they’re running up to six days behind. A company out of Gainesville has even come to help Waste Management in Clay County collect yard waste, the county reports.
STORY: Winning lottery ticket sold at Jacksonville convenience store
Meanwhile, St. Johns County says it’s working with Republic Services to bring in additional resources to get back on schedule. Caldwell adds that there’s talk of increasing pay to bring more workers on board.
The county wants locals to know the yard waste collection delay should not affect garbage and recycling collections.