The companies that provide trash and recycling collection in our neighborhood, mainly American Disposal Services and Republic, have increased their prices, failed to provide consistent pickup, and have stopped negotiating neighborhood rates for our Civic Association.  In the not so distant past, a representative from Canterbury Woods was able to negotiate a Canterbury Woods community rate and a free bulk pickup. However, recently both ADS and Republic informed us that they no longer negotiate with Civic Associations, and that they will only negotiate rates with Home Owners Associations (HOAs).  Republic was the first company to stop working with civic associations several years ago, and ADS stopped negotiating rates with civic associations after it was acquired by a Canadian company called Waste Connections in December of 2018.

After receiving numerous complaints by our residents about the trash / recycling issues, we began working with the Braddock Road Supervisor, Mr. Cook (currently Mr. Walkinshaw), to formally lodge complaints with the county and to investigate what was going on with ADS, Republic, and other private providers.  You can read an article of the steps Fairfax County took by searching online for “Fairfax County Investigating American Disposal Services for failed trash pick-ups”.  An additional article titled “Driver crunch results in missed trash pickups across Fairfax” was published by the Sun Gazette Newspapers, Brian Trompeter, on 6 May 2019. 

The CWCA board has looked at other potential options for trash pickup in our neighborhood.  A viable option is to have our trash / recycling services to be provided by Fairfax County.  In order to be considered for this option the county requires a petition to be signed and submitted to government representatives for Fairfax County.  Once the petition is signed by 55% of the Canterbury Woods homeowners, then Canterbury Woods can submit the petition to Fairfax County.  Fairfax County then votes on whether or not Canterbury Woods will be approved for county pickup.  The below table compares the various trash / recycling options.  The rates for ADS / Republic are the monthly rates (multiplied by 12) that a new customer would be charged if signing up.  These rates were taken directly from their website on the 20^th of February, 2020.  If you are an existing customer it is highly likely that you already have a lower quarterly rate, like I do.  However, you need to understand that both ADS and Republic are in the process of gradually increasing everyone’s rates until they are on par with the new customer’s rate.  In other words, expect your bill to go UP!

So, just WHAT has the CWCA board accomplished?  We have been working with Lainie Shifflet who is a Sanitary District Administrator with the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program to get information on how to petition Fairfax County to get County Trash and Recycling services in Canterbury Woods.  I will post a document on the website that outlines the process for all to view.  In a nutshell petitions are due on the 30^th of June or the 30^th of January and Public Hearings on the petitions occur in October and May.  Services would begin the following January or July.  So, in a hypothetical example IF Canterbury Woods submitted a petition that had >55% of the homeowners that signed it by July 2020, then the board would review the petition in October and IF the board approved our community for services, then trash / recycling services would begin on 1 January 2021.  So, 1 January 2021 is the earliest possible date our community could get county services, if approved. 

Here is what the CWCA board is doing:

1. Posting updates on Yahoo Groups, Canterbury Woods Facebook page, and the CWCA website.
2. Working with Fairfax County government representatives to undertake the petition process.
3. We will hold two open forums on the subject at Canterbury Woods elementary school to discuss the issue on the following dates.  We have Lainie Shifflet confirmed as the guest speaker.
   1. 25 March 2020 (Wednesday from 7-8pm)
   1. 21 April 2020 (Tuesday from 7-8pm)
4. Expect Fairfax County to mail you information on the fact that a petition is underway in our neighborhood.
5. Tracking signatures from homeowners to get an accurate tally
6. Submitting the petition if and when the number of signatures exceeds 55%.

Just because the petition process is underway does NOT mean that we are going to get county services.  It merely is collecting signatures from Canterbury Woods home owners to see if there is enough support to continue with submitting a petition.  Submitting a petition with over 55% of the homeowners in support does not guarantee county services either, it would still have to be approved by Fairfax County.  If we go to County services, they would be the ONLY providers in the neighborhood.  We would no longer have multiple providers and trucks.  If trash / recycling services are approved, then the entire neighborhood would be on county services regardless as to whether or not you supported the petition.  Looking forward to the discussions.   Thank you for your patience and cooperation!  

Files related to the process and information are provided at the links located below. Thank you! Sincerely, Dale Johnson