Garbage collection in the Schwalm-Eder district: Improvement in sight after problems!

Garbage collection in the Schwalm-Eder district: Improvement in sight after problems!

In the Schwalm-Eder district, garbage collection remains in the hands of Prezero, despite some teething problems that have put a lot of strain on residents and municipalities in recent months. How HNA reports, Prezero will continue to operate as a service provider for another six years. The initial problems resulted from a combination of staff shortages and technical defects that resulted in unemptied trash cans.

Schrecksbach's mayor Daniel Helwig emphasizes that although there are still challenges, the situation has improved significantly. Felsberg's mayor Björn Faupel was unable to identify any current complaints and praised the progress. In contrast, Melsungen's mayor Timo Riedemann describes the situation as mixed, with streets still regularly forgotten during collection.

Causes of the difficulties

Prezero cites several factors for the initial problems. These include a lack of local knowledge among the emergency services, technical problems with the new vehicles and difficult road conditions. These difficulties were not just local, but are part of a nationwide issue. NH24 reports that many counties are facing similar difficulties, exacerbated by a shortage of qualified drivers.

The managing director of the Schwalm-Eder-Kreis Waste Management Association, Dr. Peter Zulauf, warns that contractual options exist to respond to ongoing problems. If difficulties arise, there is even the possibility of the contract being terminated early, which could further unsettle citizens.

The look into the future

Waste disposal companies are not only under pressure in the Schwalm-Eder district. A survey of the Bavarian state newspaper shows that fewer and fewer people are willing to work in garbage collection, which could lead to further contract shortages. Peter Kurth, President of the Federal Association of the Waste Management Industry (BDE), warned in 2022 of an increasing shortage of drivers, which is also reflected in canceled disposal tours.

The current situation shows that despite measures taken to improve things, there is actually no quick solution in sight, while citizens continue to rely on reliable collections. Close communication between Prezero and the municipalities is required to avoid further misunderstandings and to make waste disposal smoother in the future.

For citizens who are waiting in vain for their bins to be emptied, there are short-term measures to contact Prezero: the hotline can be reached at 05683/9224200, and complaints can also be sent by email to sek.reklamation@prezero.com.