'Blew my mind': Chinatown businesses fight to end contract amid trash strike

Source: NBC Boston

Multiple businessowners in Chinatown say Republic Services has refused to let them out of their contracts, even as they've needed to sign deals with new trash companies to avoid citations from Boston.

By Michael Rosenfield • Published August 23, 2025 • Updated on August 23, 2025 at 12:21 am

As the trash strike that began on July 1 stretches into late August, several restaurants in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood say they've been fighting with Republic Services to get out of their contracts with the company.

"At a certain point, our trash was so piled up, we had to keep some trash inside the restaurant," said Desmond Cheng, the manager of both Hei La Moon and Kaze Shabu Shabu.

He says the trash at his two restaurants wasn't being picked up and he was cited from city code enforcement. He ultimately signed a deal with a new trash company.

But he says his representative at Republic Services wouldn't allow him to terminate his contract.

Read more: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/blew-my-mind-chinatown-businesses-fight-to-end-contract-amid-trash-strike/3795794/