Frustrated About Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Collection? We Hear You
In recent weeks, city staff have received an increasing number of calls, emails and messages with questions, complaints and concerns about trash, recycling and yard waste collection. We’re aware of delayed and missed collections, and are working with LRS, the owners of Johnson County Refuse, to improve service.
The City of North Liberty has long used a third-party contractor for residential trash, recycling and yard waste collection, like some 20 other nearby municipalities. Our community has traditionally been well-served by Johnson County Refuse, which was started in 1982 and remained locally owned until 2021. Not only has the service been reliable, flexible and accommodating, but the company and its owners supported community events and projects. In April 2018, after an open bidding process, Johnson County Refuse was awarded a 10-year renewal of its contract for residential collection services; while other companies expressed interest, none submitted a bid for the contract.
In December 2021, LRS announced its acquisition of Johnson County Refuse and took over the contract for the city’s collection services.
The current contract, which expires June 30, 2028, contains a variety of service requirements and penalties, including termination of the agreement, in the event that the hauler fails to meet those requirements for reasons within their control. LRS staff assures us they have hired and transferred staff to restore capacity and service levels. We will continue to work with the contractor to improve service and consider our options.
There is no quick fix: termination of the contract would be disruptive, and improved service from anther contractor isn’t guaranteed (a search for “johnson county refuse” turns up a recent news story about a different hauler in a different state failing to collect trash for weeks).
LRS’s local staff can be reached by email at [email protected] or phone at (319) 665-4498. North Liberty residents can submit a message on our webform (use the subject “Trash Collection”) that will reach the hauler and city staff. The City of North Liberty’s contract doesn’t apply to commercial customers or residents of other jurisdictions, and these customers should contact LRS directly.
