Private garbage collectors draw fewer complaints than unionized: data

Toronto’s decision to experiment with private garbage collection seems to be paying off.

The city began contracting out trash pickup in the western part of Toronto to Green for Life in 2012.

Recent statistics released by the city show the number of complaints has significantly decreased since Green For Life took over – Pushing some to call for all of Toronto’s trash pickup to go to private bidders.

“We have to do this gradually, but we will do it,” Deputy mayor of Toronto Doug Holyday said. “The only way it would not happen is if the union picked up their socks and became more efficient and showed us the same savings.”

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The numbers, recorded over a period of 17 weeks show there was an average of 39 weekly complaints in a district covered by union workers compared to an average of 13 complaints in a district covered by private garbage collection.

A statement from the Toronto Civic Employees Union, CUPE Local 416 – which represents the unionized garbage collectors – said these statistics “paint an incomplete picture of solid waste collection in all districts.”

The statement from Dave Hewitt, vice president, continues, “While we agree that customer satisfaction is important, resident complaints do not capture critical information that the city has not released, including diversion rates for all districts and how much contamination of waste streams is taking place in each solid waste district.”

However, the city claims its own employees have started doing a better job since the contractors came in.

“We’re seeing sick time down, overtime down and we’re seeing reduced complaints as well,” says Jim Harnum, general manager of Solid Waste Management Services.

But Councillor Gord Perks says if the city continues to contract to private bidders than there will be no competition with the public sector and standards will drop.

“Once you get the whole system private, that’s when the quality of service declines,” Perks adds.

City estimates had suggested up to $11 million per year could be saved by privatizing garbage collection.