STERLING, Va. — Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include Bobby Frazier's comments. It was previously reported that Frazier had filed for bankruptcy. He told WUSA9 that he is considering bankruptcy.
Trash continues to pile up for thousands of households in Fairfax and Loudoun counties after their garbage collection company announced, with little notice, that they were closing.
"I am incredibly saddened to inform you that Haulin' Trash, LLC will be closing its business effective December 1st, 2022." said Bobby Frazier, the owner of the company, in an email to customers. "We have faced many challenges over the past several weeks that we simply cannot overcome."
Customers say they noticed something was wrong, when their garbage had not been picked up in at least three weeks.
"I put my trash out and it didn't get picked up," said Rebecca, a Sterling resident. She says the suspension of services was unexpected. "There was apparently an email that went out that I didn't get," she told WUSA9.
Like many customers who have voiced their frustration online, Rebecca is left wondering how she will be reimbursed for the $120 deposit for the trash containers and the remaining time left on her one-year contract.
"We just want our money back. That's really it, money and answers," says Rebecca.
The Kapfer family says that like many of their neighbors in Herndon, they decided to switch over to the local small business during the summer because they were offering a one-year service deal if customers paid 11 months upfront.
"They were always on time. They would answer your calls immediately. Special pickups were not a problem. I can't say enough good things about Haulin' Trash," said Laurie Kapfer.
Her husband Greg Kapfer told WUSA9 that they were rooting for the local who was offering the best rate.
Frazier told WUSA9 that he first started having issues in October when three of his eight garbage trucks broke down. The business owner says he needed seven trucks on the road to be able to provide consistent service for his customers. He says he had his employees working weekends and holidays to keep up with the demand, but it was still not enough.
"We just couldn't keep up," he added. Frazier says he is considering filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. He says that perhaps the most difficult part of this process has been having to lay off his employees just before the holidays.
Fairfax County's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services says they started to see a surge in resident complaints about missed collections. An estimated 3,000 customers, including 1,800 single family homes, have been affected in their jurisdiction according to the Fairfax County agency.
Haulin' Trash informed customers in an email that financial issues, "will be handed over to a court appointed trustee over the next couple of weeks and they will be in charge of any credits or refunds."
Former Haulin' Trash customers are now forced to hire trash service companies authorized in their county, but some say they have been declined due to increasing wait lists.
Fairfax County and Loudoun County will not be providing additional pickup services for the residents affected by the Haulin' Trash bankruptcy.
Fairfax County is asking residents seeking assistance with reimbursement for service to contact Consumer Affairs Branch, Cable and Consumer Affairs at (703) 222-8435 or to file a complaint.
Loudoun County will be offering a temporary trash drop-off service on the next two Saturdays to Loudoun residents who were customers of Haulin’ Trash. There will be a $7 charge, and only cash will be accepted.
The services will be available on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 10 between 8:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. Residents may drop off household and yard waste at Park View High School, located at 400 W. Laurel Avenue in Sterling. The drop-off site will be located in a parking lot adjacent to the school’s ballfields.
The temporary drop-off site will accept regular household and yard waste. Bulk waste, such as furniture, electronics and other large times, will not be accepted. Commercial waste also will not be accepted.
Loudoun County residents may also choose to drop off waste and recyclables at the county’s landfill, located at 21101 Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg.