The City of Shreveport Department of Public Works is reminding residents that regular garbage collection days have not changed, despite temporary delays on some routes in recent weeks. The delays are the result of a shortage of qualified truck drivers within the Solid Waste Division.
Public Works currently has employees available to staff the back of garbage trucks but is 11 drivers short of the staffing level needed to operate a full collection schedule.
The department’s goal is to have approximately 40 garbage trucks operating each week. Currently, staffing levels allow the City to operate approximately 30 trucks, which has made it difficult to complete the heavier Monday and Tuesday collection routes on schedule. Thursday and Friday routes generally have lower collection volumes and have experienced fewer delays.
Residents should continue placing their garbage cans at the curb on their regularly scheduled collection day. Collection days have not changed. If a can is not serviced on its scheduled day, residents are asked to leave it at the curb so crews can complete the route as soon as possible.
“Garbage collection is a basic City service, and our residents have every right to expect it to be reliable,” said Mayor Tom Arceneaux. “Right now, we simply do not have enough qualified drivers to put the number of trucks on the road that we need. That is the problem, and we’re working to fix it. In the meantime, the employees we have are working extended hours in difficult summer conditions to serve this city, and I appreciate the work they’re doing. We know we need to get these routes caught up, and that is our priority.”
The City is actively recruiting qualified drivers to help address the shortage. Applicants must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and at least one year of professional driving experience.
“We need drivers, and we’re hiring now,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “If you have a CDL, the required experience, and you’re looking for steady work serving your community, I encourage you to apply. We have positions available and we need good people to fill them.”
Interested applicants can apply through the City of Shreveport’s website by visiting ShreveportLA.gov, selecting the Human Resources tab and clicking Current Job Openings.
Applicants may also apply directly through the City’s online job posting for Driver Repairer: governmentjobs.com/careers/shreveportla/jobs/5442427/driver-repairer
Public Works typically experiences greater staffing challenges during the hottest months of the year, when outdoor working conditions are particularly demanding. At the same time, collection volumes fluctuate throughout the year.
With the beginning of the school year and an anticipated seasonal decrease in residential collection volume, the department expects conditions to improve as it continues recruiting drivers and working through delayed routes.
The City asks residents for patience as crews work to return all routes to their regular schedule and reminds residents not to change the day they place their carts at the curb.
For missed collections or other service concerns, residents can submit a request through Port City 311, available through the City’s website at ShreveportLA.gov, by downloading the Port City 311 app, or by calling 318-673-5510.