It really stinks.

The current labor shortage in New Jersey is now causing garbage collection problems in cities across Garden State as there are not enough drivers, technicians and truckers.

“We hear more and more that municipalities that have outsourced, privatized or contracted out garbage collection are facing delays or no collection,” said Mike Cerra, executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities.

He said when the pandemic started to slow down, no one really had a clue this was going to happen, so now “pickup is being delayed or not happening or is being significantly delayed, which obviously creates other problems also in terms of public health. “

Cerra said the problem is not confined to a specific area of ​​the state.

“Municipalities choose to provide the (garbage collection) service in various ways, those that have kept it in-house, through the Ministry of Public Works, are less affected than those that have outsourced it. “, did he declare.

He said if a garbage collection company doesn’t have enough workers, there’s not much a city can do to try and fix the problem.

John Hambrose, director of communications for the Greater Mid-Atlantic region and regional spokesperson for Waste Management, said that to fill vacancies his company holds special job fairs, including on a Wednesday in Toms River.

“We are offering eligible drivers and technicians a signing bonus of $ 7,500,” he said.

Hambrose pointed out that the company is also looking to hire route and park managers, supervisors and truck workers, clerks and secretaries, and another incentive offered is “a perk that will bring in up to $ 12,000. $ per year to our team members to complete their high school education. diplomas or to obtain certificates or bachelor’s degrees.

He said this benefit can also be used to study for certain master’s degrees, and next year it will be extended to spouses and children of team members.

“We think it changes families a lot, we think it can change people’s lives,” he said.

Cerra said that if your garbage pickup isn’t going on a regular schedule, use common sense, which means when it comes to throwing out the garbage you can consider “doubling the bags, you make sure things are closed, seal your containers and things of that nature. These are the short term solutions as we move forward and try to solve the problem in the medium term. “

The waste management event will be held at 1298 Industrial Way on Wednesday in Toms River between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

You can contact reporter David Matthau at [email protected]

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