Murrysville reviews draft trash-and-recycling RFP as Republic contract nears 2026 expiry

Murrysville’s chief administrator presented a draft request for proposals on May 20 to replace the borough’s five‑year trash and recycling contract with Republic, which is due to expire at the end of September 2026. The discussion focused on whether to continue the current unlimited-trash model or switch to a cart‑based system that private haulers say can lower operating costs.

The RFP packages two principal residential options for bidders: an unlimited‑service model (the town’s current approach) and a cart service that would cap collection to what fits in a standardized container. Administration also included an optional sticker (pay‑per‑bag) program and a senior discount, and planned to preserve biweekly recycling, up to two bulk items per month and the door‑to‑door household hazardous‑waste and e‑waste collections.

Chief Administrator Mike told council the package mirrors the town’s 2016 procurement structure and is being prepared in partnership with Export through the Council of Governments (COG). “One is for unlimited trash collection and then the other would be moving towards a cart service,” he said, describing the two bid tracks. Staff added optional contract renewal language that would allow the borough, jointly with the COG partner, to extend the agreement in two two‑year increments if pricing proved favorable.

Councilors asked how current fuel prices might affect proposals and whether cart service would lower costs. Mike said haulers typically favor cart collections because they reduce labor and injury risk and therefore can bid lower, but he also reported that resident feedback favors keeping unlimited service. He said administration will seek Republic’s recent tonnage and hauling numbers to refine the RFP and plans a procurement timeline that would advertise the RFP after council review, open proposals in June and—if the schedule holds—consider an award in July so a new contract can take effect before the September expiration.

No formal vote was taken on the RFP itself on May 20. Council requested additional detail and asked staff to circulate draft language and any substantive refinements to council members before the next meeting.

What happens next: Administration will gather hauler tonnage data, refine the draft based on council input and return a near‑final RFP for council consideration; if approved, the RFP would be advertised in June with proposals opened later that month.