Waste pick-up services have been cancelled in some Perth suburbs this week after a recall of rubbish trucks

AUSTRALIA’S biggest waste collection company, Transpacific, has grounded its entire national fleet of 2800 rubbish collection trucks after a deadly crash in Adelaide on Monday, leaving kerbside rubbish collection in limbo. We break down what it means for you.

How many states does it affect?

New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria have so far all been affected by missed or delayed rubbish collections.

Why is it happening?

A Transpacific truck rammed into three stationary cars at a busy Adelaide intersection, killing two people. The driver and one other person were also injured and are fighting for their lives in hospital. The company decided to ground all its trucks to assist with police investigations and for the company to conduct its own internal investigation.

What is Transpacific?

Transpacific is the largest waste and recycling collection company in the country, with more than 100 municipal waste contracts across Australia.

Is it a union matter?

Transpacific says it has grounded its fleet to assist police, who are checking their trucks and maintenance records.

The TWU said it understood the truck was 30 years old, while Transpacific said the driver had undergone safety training.

TWU drivers have protesting what they say is pressure to cut costs, leading to unsafe driving. They say trucking companies are delaying necessary maintenance and keeping trucks on the road for too long as they are being squeezed by pressure to win contracts and keep cost-cutting.

Police are investigating possible brake failure or whether speed was a factor. Transpacific says it is co-operating with police and conducting its own investigation by grounding its fleet and reviewing maintenance records.

Who is to blame?

Police are investigating whether brake failure was involved, or if the driver was speeding at what they say is a “high risk location” at the busy intersection. The TWU says the driver had less than week on the job and was driving an old truck, blaming cost cutting for putting safety at risk. Transpacific says the driver underwent safety training.

What does it mean for rubbish collection?

The company collects rubbish for more than 100 councils.

Darwin’s kerbside collection in five suburbs has been delayed for 24-hours.

Rubbish collection in Perth and South-West WA have been stopped.

Collections have also been missed in NSW.

No rubbish will be collected in Victoria’s Benalla, Geelong or Casey.

In Adelaide at least two councils and some regional councils have had rubbish collection put on hold.

In Queenlsand, Cairns and Rockhampton have also been impacted.

Will my rubbish ever be collected?

Transpacific said it is working to get the trucks back on the road, but would not give a specific timeline.

On its website, the company says people in affected areas should leave their bins on the kerb and they will be picked up as soon as possible.