Gwinnett garbage fight heads to court

Representatives of garbage hauler Waste Pro are scheduled to appear in Gwinnett County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon to argue the company did not defy a judge’s ruling as the company solicited garbage collection business in Gwinnett County after Jan. 1.

Company representatives will appear before Superior Court Judge Michael Clark this afternoon to answer the allegations made in a suit filed by Robertson/Allied Sanitation, the county’s largest private hauler.

Waste Pro was one of two haulers selected for exclusive franchises under the county’s proposed solid waste collection plan. But, last month, Clark enjoined the county from implementing the program, and the county was forced to resume its current policy of allowing any licensed hauler to do business.

In papers prepared early Thursday, Waste Pro said it was never enjoined by the court from conducting business in Gwinnett. Waste Pro also argues that Robertson/Allied now is asking the court to stifle the very competition the company was calling for a month ago.

Robertson/Allied is arguing that Waste Pro is dragging its feet in reimbursing customers who prepaid for a service they no longer need. Robertson/Allied also charges Waste Pro is continuing to send mail to and distribute garbage and recycling carts to people who have not asked for their service.