Oakland Township residents angered by trash pickup nightmare

Garbage piling up outside homes

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Trash is piling up in front of houses in Oakland Township as residents battle to get their garbage picked up.

Anyone who crosses into Oakland Township can see trash piling up in front of the homes. Homeowner Don Henderson said he usually takes the trash out, but now he has to take it in.

"They forgot about us," Henderson said.

He said he doesn't want to leave the garbage out if nobody is going to pick it up.

"We are taking it in and out," Henderson said. "(There are) flies all over it when I try to take it inside."

Henderson isn't alone. Homeowners in the area have to subscribe to get their trash picked up. Todd Bury subscribes to a company called Republic, but he hasn't seen or heard from them. He said all he sees is his garbage piling up.

"We haven't been notified," Bury said. "The garbage is piling up."

GFL contracts with homeowners, and GFL admits it is working to clean up the mess.

At Henderson's home, GFL called Local 4 to let us know that trucks are on the way. Residents said they showed up in the afternoon.

You can watch Shawn Ley's full story in the video posted above.


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.