Trash awaits pickup on an Arlington curb following a change in solid waste contractors (courtesy anonymous)
Bates trash truck in August 2025 (staff photo)
Bates trash truck in August 2025 (staff photo)
Complaints of incomplete and missed trash collections have hounded Arlington’s new solid waste contractor in its first few days of service.
Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, which replaces longtime county contractor American Disposal Services, began collecting trash, recycling and organics from Arlington single-family homes this month.
It’s been off to a stinky start. One resident described trash bins sitting on the curb for days, awaiting pickup.
“I can tell all of you that as of today I, and the five other homes inside our cul-de-sac, are still staring at full trash bins and piles of rotting garbage bags on the sidewalks in front of our homes since Monday morning,” the tipster told ARLnow yesterday (Wednesday).
The county put out a statement on Tuesday, acknowledging issues. Staff encouraged people to leave bins on the curb until they are empty and report missed collections using the county’s “Report a Problem” tool or by calling the Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000.
“We are aware of reports of incomplete or missed collections as crews from Arlington County’s new household solid waste contractor become familiar with routes and neighborhoods,” the bulletin said. “We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for patience during this transition period between contractors.”
Thanks for your patience, Arlington, during this transition to a new curbside collection contractor. If a cart has not been emptied, leave it out as crews work to catch up. Collection times may also have shifted for your day. https://t.co/Vh6ynsDTMf pic.twitter.com/nd1PUw68Mu
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) August 5, 2025
Bates has added extra trucks and has its crews working extended hours, Katie O’Brien, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Environmental Services, told ARLnow. The contractor operated on Saturday to make up for missed collections and will do so again this weekend, if need be.
“Most carts have been serviced, but as the contractor’s new crews work routes for the first time, there has been an increase in missed collections,” O’Brien said.
She added that staff from the county’s Solid Waste Bureau have been out inspecting routes and servicing missed collections.
While Bates’ crews may still be learning their new routes, this isn’t the contractor’s first time around the block in Arlington. Back in the day, the company used to contract for all of the county’s curbside recycling pickup and half of its trash pickup.
It unsuccessfully sued the county in 2014 when the county moved to change contracts and award all of its waste pickup to American Disposal.
The county’s waste contractor services around 6,600 customers each day, collecting around 19,800 carts.
“We apologize to residents and greatly appreciate all the patience and understanding expressed during this transition between contractors,” O’Brien said.