CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The City of Chesapeake has ended its curbside recycling contract with TFC Recycling effective immediately.

The city was already planning on ending its curbside service on July 1, but a city official who spoke to WAVY’s Regina Mobley said the contract needed to be terminated so city workers could empty the bins that have sat full for weeks for many ahead of the planned switch.

Mayor Rick West told WAVY’s Brett Hall that the city made the call after it was clear TFC “could not meet their obligations.”

He said the city is also withholding about $700,000 in payments from TFC for May and June.

Chesapeake officials say waste management will first start collecting materials in blue recycling bins as trash on Saturday, June 25 and Monday, June 27.

Then blue and brown (trash) bins will then both be collected as waste on normal schedules.

“Due to the excessive amount of material which has been left uncollected by our former recycling vendor, additional crews and vehicles will be working extended days and hours to get caught up as quickly as possible,” the city said.

The city said in the meantime to leave your blue bin on the curb until it’s collected, and going forward they can be used as trash overflow bins.

If you still wish to have curbside recycling, Chesapeake has listed subscription services that are available.

For the list of drop off sites starting July 1, click here.

Michael Benedetto, president of TFC Recycling told Ten on Your Side his company is among the vendors offering subscription service. He’s also offering an apology to residents of Chesapeake,.

“We regret and apologize that our service has not been up to even our own standards and we are doing our best each and every day to bring on folks and deal with the supply chain pandemic-related issues that everyone is facing,” said Benedetto.

The city estimates that eliminating curbside recycling would save up to $2 million in the next fiscal year.