Taking Out Reston's Trash For Nearly 40 Years

 As John Hasle, who founded Reston Trash Service in 1974, drives down Hunting Horn Lane, he recites customers' names: “the Sziedes, the Doyles…the Kays.”  He even knows most of the dogs by name too.

 Reston Trash Service picks up trash, recycling and yard waste for 775 single- family homes in south Reston.  Hasle and his two employees, Ted Lee and Darnell Stewart, have 69 years of combined experience—and nearly as many entertaining stories—about people and their trash.

A few weeks ago, Hasle’s office phone rang started ringing off the hook.

“Are you selling Reston Trash?” several customers asked. “ ' No,' ” Hasle replied. “Why?" 

Turns out American Disposal Trash Services, one of three main trash companies serving single-family homes in south Reston, had launched a door-to-door sales campaign encouraging homeowners to switch to their company.  ADTS reps were apparently telling homeowners that Reston Trash was selling to another company, AAA Trash.

An ADTS rep says that was an error. “It is not of us to put another company under the bus,” says company spokeswoman Amanda Busey. “It’s not what we stand for.”

Nonetheless, longtime customers have shown their support for Hasle, as he contacted them by letter to dispel the rumor.

 “It’s not a fancy company, but I love supporting a small, locally owned business,” says Reston resident Regan Harned.

Hasle advertises by word-of-mouth and neighbor recommendations. 

“I can’t make the offers that the guys with the deep pockets make.”

But he does offer reliable personal service and consumer record that is free of complaints.  Like many other businesses in this economy, Reston Trash is feeling the pinch - the truck gets about four miles to the gallon.  

 Hasle remembers the "Snowmaggedon" storm of 2010. He says he was the only trash service that made it through some back streets off  Lawyer’s Road. 

“Everyone used my truck’s tracks  to get in and out of the neighborhoods,” he said. 

With trash comes trash stories. There was the time a  homeowner disposed of gas in champagne bottle. Another who put swimming pool chemicals in a plastic bag that upon disposal, started a chemical fire in the back of his truck. 

“I’m not complaining," he said. "In fact, it makes every day interesting.”