Dive Brief:

• Officials in Oyster Bay, NY filed a lawsuit alleging a hauler breached its contract to transport yard clippings from the town’s transfer station. 
• The hauler was awarded a two-year yard waste contract from the town. The company was to transport residential, business, and municipal waste totaling approximately 30,000 to 40,000 tons per year. 
• The suit, which seeks $1 million in damages, was filed on behalf of town officials in August through the state Supreme Court in Mineola, NY. According to the suit, Reliable Wood Products LLC refused to pick up grass clippings, leaves and branches, and demanded more money for services.

Dive Insight:

In July, Reliable told the town that the yard waste contained contaminants -- meaning a material other than yard waste (such as trash) was found mixed with the clippings. As per the terms of the contract, if over 3% of the waste collected contained contaminants, the hauler could refuse pick-up or return it at the town’s expense. Thomas Sabellico, Oyster Bay special counsel, said the hauler didn’t choose either approved method to address the issue, and just continued to complain about the situation. 

In August, the company demanded the town pay an additional $11.22 per ton to continue with the services. On August 20, the Reliable Wood Products stopped collecting yard waste.

Oyster Bay has sought services using another company, Omni Recycling, that has entered into a temporary emergency contract with the municipality. The town plans to accept bids in the future for a new contract.