Font size:
CLINTON TOWNSHIP—Sometimes a private firm that faces no competition must behave as if it were surrounded by competitors. Why? Because if it did not, it soon would be. That may be the economic lesson to be learned from recent experience with rubbish pickup in this Macomb County community.
After an owner of a townhouse complex sued the township over its contract with a single hauler, Waste Management, officials attempted to encourage customers to explore their options. Township officials mailed out more than 43,000 flyers advertising the fact that they had opened up their garbage business to consumer choice. It appears, however, that few people see the need to change.
Residents, according to a June 10 story in The Detroit News, seem to regard the service provided by Waste Management as good to excellent, especially since the company lowered its rates in anticipation of possible new competition. At least one other firm, BFI, decided not to apply to do business in the township because of Waste Management's low rates and high customer satisfaction. (Two other companies, Sterling Sanitation and Tringali Sanitation, said they would not apply because Clinton Township requires $15 million in insurance, which they regarded as too costly.)
Supervisor James Sinnamon told The Detroit News, "Waste Management has done an excellent job on collecting trash in the township."
