Some neighbors still without trash pickup in Cape Coral; Waste Pro put on notice

Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

We reported recently neighbors in Southwest Florida’s largest city say weeks have gone by without trash pickup at their homes, and it’s causing pileups that are also mounting stress for those living with them.

Frustrations among some people living in Cape Coral over lack of garbage pickup by Waste Pro continued Monday, as nearly 500 calls were made by residents over the weekend in complaint over the situation.

Every time Barbara Anderson goes to take out the trash, she feels like a trash compactor.

“I’m trying to keep it where it won’t come open,” Anderson said.

She says Waste Pro has not picked up her trash in five weeks, and she’s had enough.

“It’s disgusting,” Anderson said.

The City of Cape Coral estimates at least 500 other people called to complain about Waste Pro since last Friday.

“The girls on the phone are very accommodating,” Anderson said. “They are apologetic, and they’re going to notify this one and that one, but my garbage still sits there.”

When we visited Anderson’s neighborhood street, the scene was a line of rugs, couches, chairs and even a door left on the side of the road.

“Stuff like that was supposed to be picked up the next day, and it’s still sitting there,” Anderson said. “It’s weeks on end, and they don’t seem to be coming to do anything. It’s very frustrating.”

Cape Cora City Council put Waste Pro on notice, notifying the trash pickup service it has 30 days to fix things or face fines of $100 to $250 per incident.

“All of our emails are just jammed with this,” Councilwoman Gloria Tate said. “I drove around the city yesterday. I felt like calling it ‘Mattress City.’ It’s just really out of hand.”

Waste Pro told the city it’s suffering from a shortage of drivers, but the company is still taking customer money.

“I’d like to see better service,” Anderson said. “That’s all I’m asking for is my garbage to be picked up, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

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