A circuit judge has ordered Waste Pro to fulfill its contractual obligations to collect garbage in the City, saying the company cannot remove equipment or quit collecting waste until Port St. Lucie’s new waste hauler begins in September.
Due to the continued failures of Waste Pro to fulfill its obligations under the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement, the Mayor and City Council directed attorneys for the City to petition the St. Lucie County Circuit Court, seeking relief for the residents and business owners from the proliferation of uncollected garbage.
Circuit Judge Laurie Buchanan heard from both the city and Waste Pro on Thursday afternoon, May 26, 2022. Sworn testimony was introduced from the City Manager and the City’s Solid Waste Manager, as well as an expert witness retained by the City who is a specialist in industrial hygiene and environmental health matters.
Judge Buchanan credited the City with making the difficult decision to temporarily pause recycling in order to facilitate better solid waste service. She then issued an order prohibiting Waste Pro from removing any trucks or equipment, including dumpsters, from the City until September 15, 2022, without the express consent of the City. Judge Buchanan further ordered Waste Pro to fulfill its obligations to collect garbage as required under the contract.
“For more than a year, City leaders have worked on multiple fronts to help provide relief for residents regarding Waste Pro’s poor service,” City Attorney Jim Stokes said. “Our litigation against Waste Pro has been one of these efforts, and with the Court recognizing that Waste Pro’s failures have become severe, we now have a court ruling that will compel Waste Pro to substantially comply with the contract they signed.”
With this order in place, should Waste Pro fail to make every possible effort to collect garbage as required, the City will have the option to seek a finding of Contempt against Waste Pro for disobeying the Judge’s order.
Regular updates about Waste Pro’s progress in collecting trash in the City can now be found at the top of the City’s website at www.cityofpsl.com.
Beginning in September, FCC Environmental Services Florida, LLC will be Port St. Lucie’s new solid waste collection hauler. The new solid waste collection schedule will be announced to residents by mid-August 2022.
For updated information and a detailed list of frequently asked questions about the solid waste program, visit www.cityofpsl.com/solidwaste. To submit a request to 1PSL about waste collection, call 772-871-1775, visit the 1PSL web website or download the 1PSL app.
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