'Significant Delays': 7-Day Trash Strike Sparks Frustration Across North Shore, Greater Boston

PEABODY, MA — While trash collection has resumed in most of the cities and towns served by Republic Services amid the ongoing sanitation workers' strike, resident uncertainty remains as routes are missed, recycling goes untouched and bags pile up in hot barrels amid the summer heat one week into the Teamsters Local 25 strike.

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt told the city's residents and businesses to expect "significant delays" and that he expects "those delays to continue" into the week.

"With so much uncertainty, the best information I can provide is for those who have not had their trash picked up, please leave it out curbside," Bettencourt advised. "For those that have had their trash picked up, I'm told that Republic strives for a regular week this week. ... Please put your trash out on your regular pickup day, but expect delays of at least a day or two and maybe more.

"I'm sorry that I am unable to provide more specific information but the situation is extremely challenging and unpredictable."

• Trash Pickup To Resume Amid Sanitation Workers' Strike Across North Shore, Greater Boston

He said he is working with colleagues from Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Lynnfield, Malden "and many other communities affected by the work stoppage ... trying to assist in achieving a fair solution."

Other cities and towns served by Republic with delays include Marblehead, Swampscott, Topsfield, North Reading, Arlington, Watertown, Canton and Wakefield.

Beverly officials said the number of trash drivers would be increased from three to five as of Tuesday.

"Given the current drivers' unfamiliarity with Beverly," the city said in a message to the community, "they have missed many streets these past several days."

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton met with Local 25 President Tom Mari and striking workers in Peabody on Tuesday morning. The union said the workers are fighting for improved wages, better benefits, and stronger labor protections in line with industry standards.

Republic Services has said that its current proposals are competitive and fair in those respects.

Picket lines on Tuesday were set up at four locations in Peabody, as well as Revere, Holbrook, Roxbury and Quincy.

In Danvers, officials said there would be no yard waste pickup this week and that the temporary pause on bulky items would continue.

Swampscott officials said those whose trash is scheduled to be picked up Monday were to have both trash and recycling picked up Tuesday. Tuesday pickups would happen as scheduled, the town said.

In Lynnfield, trash-only collection was set for Tuesday with a one-day delay. There is not curbside recycling there.

Lynnfield opened its temporary emergency drop-off services & DPW facility on Summer Street with for residential trash, commingled recycling and regular yard waste Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Marblehead officials asked residents who have not have not had their collections to contact the Board of Health to report them at BOHemails@marblehead.org and said the transfer station would remain open to Marblehead residents during the strike.

"We want to make sure to make those streets that have not had a collection a priority," the Board of Health said. "We apologize for the inconvenience and difficulty this situation is causing."

Malden officials said regular curbside trash collection will resume on your usual trash day. Blue trash bags are not required

Curbside recycling remains paused until further notice due to staffing shortages from the ongoing strike and that recycling-only dropoff was available at the Ferryway School Parking Lot from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trash is not accepted at that site.

"The DPW Yard is not accepting trash at this time," Malden officials said. "We're working to add more trash dumpster hours."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)