Butler County-owned garbage hauler increases garbage fee by 75% in neighboring community
A resident of Sewickley Hills in the northern part of Allegheny County is outraged that his fee for hauling garbage will increase by 75%, and he is accusing the borough and garbage hauler Valley Waste Services of Beaver Falls of corruption, malfeasance and price gouging.
Valley Waste is owned by Vogel Disposal of Adams Township.
John Kichi said the increase is 10 times the rate of inflation, yet service to customers will “decrease” by making recycling pickup bimonthly instead of weekly.
He said a neighboring municipality saw a 25% increase, and customers there received a free garbage receptacle and new senior discount from Valley Waste.
Doug Vogel of Valley Waste Services said last week that Valley Waste bid on a contract advertised by Sewickley Hills, meaning customers do not have individual contracts with the waste hauler.
A letter from Joe McWilliams of Valley Waste Service said significant cost increases across the board, as well as industry-specific cost increases during the past three years include:
