Clerk Jill Bastian said the township has been getting calls, but Waste Away, Inc. owner Matt McKay said he has yet to hear about any complaints from customers in Orion Township.
McKay attended the Jan. 18 Orion Township board meeting, where trustee Michael Gingell asked him if he was aware of customers complaining of Waste Away employees picking up recycling and then putting it in the regular garbage trucks with other debris.
‘We’ve heard about a couple of occurrences of this,? Gingell said.
McKay said he had not, and the board asked Bastian to forward Waste Away the documentation of complaints that the township had received.
‘We have 959 customers in Orion, and 240 recycle,? he said. ‘The part (of recycling) that comes out of Orion is very small…having it go into the trucks has not been brought to my attention.?
McKay said he couldn’t believe that was happening.
‘We don’t require people in Orion to recycle,? Bastian said, adding that the township hoped it would encourage people to participate when it was added to the ordinance that trash haulers would offer recycling to customers in Orion at no extra charge.
According to Bastian, there had been problems in the past, as the township itself does not offer trash service, with getting customers? calls returned from various trash hauling companies that operate in the township.
‘When (customers) come in, sometimes it’s awkward,? she said. ‘We’re still stuck with trying to enforce the ordinance.?
Trustee John Garlicki was surprised McKay didn’t know about the complaints.
‘I find it hard to believe the clerk didn’t notify him of complaints,? he said.
Bastian said she kept a folder of the complaints in the clerk’s office.
‘If he doesn’t hear about it, how can he change it?? asked Gingell.