Detroit garbage map.jpg

Rizzo Environmental Services and Advanced Disposal Services are scheduled take over trash collection in Detroit this spring. The move to privatize garbage services is expected to save the city $6 million a year, but had some department of public works employees skipping work and slowing down trash pickup in April, according to the city.

((City of Detroit))

DETROIT, MI -- The upcoming privatization of garbage collection in Detroit has some city employees skipping work, leaving trash pickup services behind schedule, officials said Saturday.

The city's Department of Public Works Director Ron Brundidge issued a statement saying trash collection is about two days behind schedule, in part because of extra bulk trash and yard waste that normally comes this time of year.

There's also been a slowdown due to some workers staying home, he said.

"Due to the upcoming transition to privatized trash collection in the city, we also have been experiencing a large number of DPW employees not showing up for work," Brundidge said.

"To address the situation as best we can, we have been bringing in crews from the private contractor during the weekend to help and will continue to do so."

The city expects Thursday's trash collection to be completed Saturday, and Friday's scheduled pickups to be completed Monday.

"This delay is expected to push normal trash collection next week back by approximately two days," Brundidge said. "We apologize for the temporary inconvenience during this time of transition and are asking that residents to please keep their trash containers at the curb until we are able to pick them up."

The city in November announced plans to have two private contractors take over trash collection and add curbside recycling in a move expected to save $6 million a year.

The privatized services are expected to take full effect by June.