WMA seeking new vendors to take over trash-collection routes after Bates discontinues service Jan. 1

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority is seeking new vendors in addition to considering an in-house solution now that Bates Trucking & Trash Removal will no longer collect garbage on St. Croix from house-to-house customers and housing communities at the beginning of the new year, according to a WMA spokesperson.

As WMA addresses the transition of trash-collection services managed by Bates Trucking, the Authority’s goal is to always be able to serve the community, Lorna Nichols-Minkoff, WMA communications director, said. “We are negotiating right now working on solutions,” she said. “We’re currently getting quotes from vendors to take over the Bates house-to-house collection routes, and we will definitely keep everyone posted.”

James Bates, owner of Bates Trucking, told WTJX that he would no longer collect garbage from more than 4,000 homes and all the housing communities on St. Croix beginning January 1, 2025 due to significant unpaid debts. He said he must lay off about 20 employees who service those routes as a result.