Toters in 96, 65 and 35-gallon sizes
With more than a year still to go on its solid waste collection and disposal services contract, the village is starting to consider ways to tailor the program to community preferences.
This is good news to the residents who have plenty to say about how their waste and recyclables are collected each week. After all, it’s a chore “14,550 single-family collection units” perform 52 times a year — which should make all of us experts on the subject.
One major point of discussion promises to be whether to maintain a program that allows for a choice of vendor-issued carts that are billed monthly and volume-based stickers.
Many small or recycling-conscious families that generate a small amount of garbage aren’t keen on having to pay monthly for a big 64- or 96-gallon cart, which are currently the only sizes available. Neither are the snowbirds or other residents who travel frequently, as Commissioner Marilyn Schnell observed at the Feb. 2 village council meeting.
Other commissioners suggested the possibility of adding a smaller cart for those families. There also seems to be considerable interest on the dais for large recyclable toters. With recycling becoming second nature to more and more residents, the current 18-gallon bins are an inconvenience, at best.
Mayor Ron Sandack said his family puts out several containers of recyclables each week, as do many of the families on my block. Given that paper accounts for much of the material recycled, Garbage Day is often accompanied by an increase in blowing litter on our streets.
There are other disadvantages to the current program, as well, including its complexity, the confusion surrounding the disposal of bulk items and problems with Amnesty Day, such as the tendency of residents to hoard garbage for extended periods.
And then there is the sticker system, which allows residents to opt out of paying for this core service if they don’t put out trash. “However, costs are still being incurred for the basic operation of the vehicle that, arguably, should be spread across all potential users of the system,” staff wrote.
Sticker costs are also likely to rise faster than cart programs, as vendors require towns to meet minimum sticker sales targets to maintain current prices.
Sandack suggested surveying village residents to get their preferences before the time comes to negotiate a new contract or engage in a request for proposal (RFP) process.
Toward that end, you’ll find a survey on the right sidebar to gauge your preferences on ways to tweak the current program.
I am in favor of a full toter system in Downers Grove. I like the simple fact that everyone will pay for garbage collections even those that like to use the school dumpsters and park district garbage cans, no more blowing paper on windy days and a much neater look on collection day.
Where do I sign up at?
Kelly.
Wow…we agree!
I usually only have to put out our 32 gallon trash bin roughly once every 3 weeks, but both our recycle bins are usually full or overflowing every week. I don’t know how the economics of the two collections compare, but I do hope the village picks a system that is fair on both small and large users, and that encourages people to recycle. I suspect that if we’re forced to pay monthly our household will lose out.
My wife’s complaint with the existing collections is that the operator refuses to pick it up if the bin weighs over 50lbs (which ours sometimes does because of the cat litter). If going to a (small) toter would avoid that nonsense then we’d be happier.
I’ll be disgruntled if they do away with stickers–my husband and I put out two recycling bins every week, and a garbage can maybe once every three weeks. If everyone pays a flat fee for garbage pickup, it does away with the incentive to recycle instead of tossing things in the trash.
As a single senior resident, I opt out of the trash collection costs. My neighbors are happy for me to put one small bag of garbage in their half-empty toter.
On the other hand, I recycle a lot. I’d be glad to use something better than the two uncovered bins I put out now.
Our household is like Karens. Pre-recycling days, we used to put out two cans every week. Now we put out one can maybe every other week, $6-9/month in stickers (2-3), and weekly recycling, usually two bins. Stickers moves the cost mostly to those that toss the most. Smaller cans having lower fees works for me if we have to have flat fees.
Maybe it was Barnett that brought up downtown recycling receptacles and including the condo owners that have asked to be included in any village program. Both are good ideas.
Seems like a larger recycling bin would solve the “neat” need for most people, as it seems these items are the ones free flying on trash day. I would appreciate a large toter for recycling but I only put out a half a can a week in trash so I would be paying far more for a toter than the current sticker system, unless they have a $10 a month toter for trash and the village does not mind if i put my large toters on the sidewalk because my apron is very steep and I live on a busy street where people often hit our cans. I already pay my “spread” in taxes, fees and charity. Why penalize people who care enough to recycle or compost? We need to stop trying to make the waste collectors happy, we are paying them for a service.
Our family of four typically puts out one can and three recycling bins every week. I would like to see recycling toters: easier to carry to the curb, potentially easier for the waste management guys, less likely to let recyclables escape to blow around the neighborhood.
A smaller garbage toter is a definite possibility. More than anything, I want to see the system promote recycling and fairly distribute costs to all users. As much as I dislike stickers, they’re a constant reminder of the rising costs to haul our waste; and recycling is key to reducing a family’s expenses.
Here’s one question I’m hoping a current trash toter customer will answer: Do they keep the raccoons at bay?
We were so outmatched by the ‘coons in our neighborhood that my husband built a corral for the garbage cans. Three years later, it’s falling apart and I have other priorities on my honey-do list above a trash corral.
If the toters keep the raccoons away, I might consider the extra expense.
Would like to see recycle bins with a cover….the amount of curbside litter after garbage day is unsightly.
Another point to contemplate is the considerable amount of recyclable material the blocks culverts and sewers when the snow melts. It’s a right of Spring to walk around the neighborhood culverts and pull out packaging – my kids love it! I took plastic packaging out of a culvert that was flooded so high water was in the street. However, I agree that the current recycling program incentivizes people recylce (present party included). As far as Elaine’s question about being raccoon proof – It’s better to keep the recycle toters in the garage until the morning of pick up since identity thiefs are fond of the pieces of information they could pick up in your recycle toter.
For those that have more then one recycling bin…..the current contract with the village from what I have been told by the garbage truck driver is they only allow one recycling bin not 2 or 3 or more.
Let me first say that I think our current garbage haulers are much better than the knuckleheads that previously did the job.
I like the current system we have, it offers something for everyone. If we shift to a toter only system, then the residents that put out a can every few weeks will more likely start fly dumping.
When Arc started hauling our garbage residents were no longer asked to separate their recyclables, so I went to the hardware store and bought a 39 gallon can, (with a good lid) marked “recycling” on it, and repurposed the other recycle bins (our family mosttimes had four at the curb) Why is it that the windiest days are garbage days, and people don’t think about putting the heavier stuff on top of the papers.
The truck that picks up on our block is fitted with a grabber that reaches out, grabs the can, and dumps it, the guy only has to get out of the truck to tear the sticker off of the handle and remove the lid. I can’t imagine that the weight of the can would be an issue, unless all the trucks are not similarly outfitted. With my weight and size 13EE I get my moneys worth.
The only thing(s) going to keep raccoons at bay is a 22 and a flashlight!
They do not keep racoons at bay, we have actually seen a racoon working on opening the toter and succesfully getting the job done. It was an interesting feat.
Elaine, we strap our garbage can lid down with a bungee cord, and that’s been working fine. It’s a bit of a nuisance, but it’s better than finding garbage strewn all over the yard.
Here is what Willowbrook has:
Solid Waste 95/65/35 gallon carts are to be used; all refuse must be placed in the cart.
Recycling 65/35 gallon carts are to be used; all recyclables must be placed in the cart.
Yard Waste Requires one (1) sticker affixed to each biodegradeable bag or bundle; cart rental optional.
Bulky Items One bulk item collected per week at no charge. $35 for each additional item.
White Goods Collected on regular route day with 24-hour notice. $25 COD charge per item.
C&D Material C&D and “Clean-Up” Debris collected at extra charge. (See below.)
Lemont refuse collection:
Refuse Service
Garbage cans are issued by Waste Management. All items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 am on the day of collection.
One large household item, such as discarded furniture, mattresses, etc. will be collected on the regular pick-up day. Carpeting/padding should be cut and rolled in four-foot lengths weighing no more than 50 pounds each. Additional oversized items may require a special pick-up. Please contact Waste Management for an estimate.
Waste Management will bill residents directly for service on a quarterly basis. A $1 senior discount will apply to all qualified senior citizens that are at least 65 years old and that own and occupy their own dwelling.
Recycling Collection
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as garbage pick-up.
BINS used for recycling.
Replacement or additional recycling bins may be purchased by calling the Customer Service Department of Waste Management.
Items Accepted
Newspapers
Mixed paper products
Glass jars and bottles
Aluminum / metal cans
Plastic food grade containers
Items Not Accepted
Polystyrene (carry-out containers)
Bottles that contained:
Motor oil
Pesticides
Chemicals
Naperville refuse collection:
The City of Naperville contracted residential waste hauler is Allied Waste Services.
Under the five-year contract, residents are required to use garbage containers that are 32-gallons or less in size, weighing less than 60 pounds when filled. This regulation, a provision in both the current and prior contract, is strictly enforced. Residents preferring to use larger garbage containers are encouraged to purchase a residential garbage cart from the city. These garbage carts can easily be lifted mechanically by garbage trucks, which is why they can be larger in size. The weight limitation is 220 pounds of household waste. Under our contract, oversized garbage carts purchased from the city will be the only oversized containers permitted.
General Information
Naperville began its curbside recycling program in 1986, making it the first community in Illinois to offer this service to its residents. The program has grown and improved from a bi-weekly service that required a large amount of sorting to a weekly service that requires virtually no preparation work at all.
Both garbage and recycling are collected every week on the same day. Please see the garbage collection schedule for information on your collection day. The city provided one recycling bin for every single-family home in the city. The bins are the property of the city and must be left at the home in the event of relocation. Additional bins may be purchased from Resource Management, or a water-tight plastic or metal container no larger than 32 gallons and clearly marked as recycling may be used.
Note: City issued, 32-gallon garbage carts are not suitable for recycling purposes
There are lots of different refuse programs as you can see by the few that I researched. Willowbrook is ahead of the curve from a refuse collection stand point. Naperville charges for extra recycling bins and require a small 32 gal trash can for refuse that cant weigh over 60lbs. Lemont has a hybrid system where you have to use the toter for refuse, but they have recycling bins. I hope this helps. Downers Grove prides itself on being a leader in the municipal government arena. I feel if the village is going to continue to be the example of good government for the western suburbs a two toter system is of vital importance!
The current sticker program gives a financial incentive to recycle which some people still need. Any mandatory toter program will put that at risk.
Our family of 6 only puts out garbage every other week. A small, under $10/month toter option would save the last minute trip to Jewel for a sticker.
We put out much more recycling than we do trash. We started putting our recycling in a 32 gal trash can (sometimes more than 1) and we have had no problem with Allied picking them up. We use the tote for the trash and have found it to be very convenient.
Like Mark and Karen, my household is low volume output. Garbage is on the curb in a 33 gal can every other week on average. Could go longer but not sanitary, especially in the warm months. Raccoons aren’t a problem because the can is kept in the garage with a lid on it.
If toters are cleaner, I am willing to go to a sticker based toter in place of the garbage can. If forced to pay for monthly billing for a toter I will probably just dump everything in the toter and be done with recycling which we routinely sort out now in large volumes now.
On the one hand, I could go for a larger container for recycling. One 18-gallon bin isn’t enough.
On the other, I wouldn’t care for going to a toter for garbage. Generally, I put out 1 33-gallon can of garbage of week. But sometimes, I can fill up 2 cans (cleaning, party, holiday, etc.). If you only have one toter and you have more than it can hold, what do you do?
By the same token, sometimes I prefer to set out garbage bags, rather than my garbage cans (planning to stay out late, leaving for vacation on garbage day, etc.). If we go to toters, then I’m stuck having someone bring in the toter in my absence.
Obviously, these are huge issues, but they are issues that switching everyone to a garbage toter faces.
Here’s my last issue. I’ve seen the aftermath of dumb teenage kids driving down a block and purposefully hitting every garbage can that was sitting on the curb (as well as the mailboxes). If a toter gets totaled, who gets stuck with the bill for replacing them? I assume that even a 35-gallon toter is more expensive than a Rubbermaid garbage can of comparable size.