Cold and Snow Slow Down Trash Collections in Philadelphia

By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This cold wave has wreaked havoc on trash collection in Philadelphia, so officials are urging residents to be patient: the trucks are coming.

Mother Nature has packed a wallop for trash collection vehicles in the city, according to Philadelphia streets commissioner David Perri.

"The record low temperatures, and using our trash trucks as snow plows last week, has put a lot of stress on our vehicles, and caused a significant number of breakdowns," Perri told KYW Newsradio this morning.

In fact, about one-third of all trash trucks needed repairs of some sort, putting the schedule about a day behind.

Perri says residents should put their trash out at the normal time, even if the trucks are delayed:

"We will be working extra shifts into the evenings.  We'll be working all day Saturday.  We will have this cleaned up by the end of the weekend," he said today.

In the meantime, Perri asks residents to be patient.  If you have a specific trash issue, you can call 311.

In:
• KYW Newsradio 1060
• City of Philadelphia
• Environment
• Philadelphia