A growing garbage pickup issue is turning into a public standoff this week. After the city’s collection contractor Red Ambiental announced a partial suspension of trash service starting Friday, January 23, residents took to social media to vent — and some floated a dramatic response: dumping trash outside municipal offices to force action. The two locations most mentioned are: - UMA (Unidad Municipal Administrativa) - Presidencia Municipal downtown No organized protest has been announced, but the conversation alone shows how quickly service disruptions hit a nerve in a beach city where heat, insects, and tourism make trash a very visible problem. What’s behind the service cuts Red Ambiental says the slowdown isn’t about staffing or trucks — it’s about unpaid bills. According to the company, the city is roughly seven months behind on payments, with reported arrears exceeding 160 million pesos. The contractor says it continued operating despite the debt because trash collection is critical for public health, but that the financial strain forced a partial and temporary reduction to prevent a complete system failure. A phased payment plan was reportedly agreed to, but Red Ambiental says it wasn’t honored. So far, officials haven’t released a clear timeline for resolving the debt or a detailed list of affected routes, leaving many neighborhoods unsure when their next pickup will happen. What this means for residents (including expats) In Vallarta’s climate, even one missed pickup can quickly lead to odors, pests, and stray animals. While dumping trash at government buildings would make the issue visible, it could also spread the problem into nearby streets and businesses. For now, practical steps include: - Keeping trash sealed tightly - Storing bags off the sidewalk when possible - Avoiding loose or exposed waste - Paying close attention to any temporary schedule changes This isn’t the first time trash collection has caused frustration in the city, but this dispute appears rooted in finances rather than logistics. The next few days will show whether talks between the city and the contractor restore normal service before tensions escalate further.