HUNTSVILLE — If you’re a customer with the Recycling Alliance of North Alabama, your blue cart may be sitting on the curb a while longer.

“RANA customers – we sincerely apologize for the delays you are experiencing with your cart pickups,” RANA said on its website. “We are working with the City of Huntsville and Madison County on a recovery plan that will hopefully get us caught up this weekend. We ask that you continue to keep your cart on the curb until we are able to pick them up.”

On Monday, the company cited “downed equipment and parts shortage” for the delays.

“Trucks have been brought in from other areas to assist in route completion,” RANA said. “We appreciate your patience as crews work to complete all November recycling collection. Crews are working on third Thursday routes today (11/28).

“ALL remaining routes for November will be delayed as well.”

Meanwhile, Red River, the contractor for RANA, declared bankruptcy and was purchased by Platform Capital.

Along with the City of Huntsville, Platform Waste Solutions, a portfolio company of Denver-based Platform Capital, said it acquired municipal contracts with Union City and Nashville, Tenn.; and Del Rio, Texas.

Reportedly, issues around the pandemic impacted Red River’s bottom line. During the lockdown, businesses didn’t product as much trash which reduced the need for pickup. Since commercial customers pay by quantity, Red River’s revenue suffered.

Meanwhile, since people were home more with teleworking and not going to work, the residential trash increased, requiring the need for more workers to pick it up. But municipal rates are set and Red River saw its labor expenses increase.

Being unable to make ends meet, Red River declared bankruptcy.