A Republic Services transfer facility; similar to its sites in East Chicago and Lake Station

Republic Services dump sites have closed to Gary residents

Contributed By:The 411 News

If folks in Gary are wondering how much longer they will be able to take their worn refrigerators and stoves to disposal sites, the answer is ‘it was two weeks ago.’

Two weeks ago was Tuesday, December 15 when the Gary Common Council approved an amendment that adjusted the Gary Sanitary District’s request to raise the rate on residential trash collection. Instead of getting the $11.95 monthly hike it wanted, the council settled on a $6.45 increase.

After examining GSD’s rate request with a fine- toothed comb for most of October through December, a council majority decided the almost $12 per month increase placed too much of a burden on citizens' pocketbooks.

The council's amendment eliminated costs for the disposal sites operated by Republic Services; they were part of the city's contract with Republic for household trash collection. Gary residents could drop off, for free, construction debris and other items they couldn't put on the curb at Republic's transfer sites in East Chicago and Lake Station.

On Wednesday, Republic Services employees at both sites said they were not accepting items from Gary residents since "Gary ended the service for its residents about two weeks ago."

Residents feeling the pain have turned to Gary's City Hall with questions. A Dept. of Public Works employee said to call the city council.

Vanessa Williams, office manager for the Common Council had received several calls about the transfer sites not allowing access to Gary residents. Williams said she was passing the messages to city council members.

Common Council President William Godwin replied in an email, "The Common Council is the legislative branch of government and has absolutely nothing to do with managing transfer sites. I’m copying Dan Vicari who is the head of GSD to whom I would refer users. And further, this very silly move by the mayor’s administration will be very publicly addressed in the new year."

Thursday, Gary's Deputy Mayor Trent McCain responded, "After the Council’s passage of CPO 2020-69, as amended by substitution, the free citizen waste drop-off program is no longer available at the East Chicago and Lake Station transfer stations. Republic made the decision to abruptly respond to the Council’s move, not the City."

Mayor Jerome Prince clarified the situation later in the day with a press release for Republic's customers. "Residents can place one large waste item per week alongside their blue Republic garbage receptacle and it will be collected that day by Republic. All items are eligible for pickup except liquids, paints and tires."

For users of the transfer facilities, Mayor Prince added, "If a resident has a load of garbage or solid waste, they may take it to the Republic Waste Services transfer station at 15th Avenue and Clay Street at their own expense."

Story Posted:12/31/2020