Politics & Government

Renegotiated Contract Would Come With Smaller Trash Cans

The Village of Buffalo Grove is considering a new contract with Waste Management that would allow residents to opt for smaller trash carts at no additional cost.

Buffalo Grove residents who think their new trash cans are too big could soon get some good news. Village officials will consider next week approving a restructured agreement with Waste Management that would allow residents to obtain a smaller trash receptacle.

Until last month, residents purchased their own garbage cans, while recycling carts were provided by Waste Management. The village’s new contact with the company includes Waste Management-issued trash cans, which were distributed in April in either 64- or 96-gallon sizes.

Earlier this month, residents from various Buffalo Grove neighborhoods complained that the 64-gallon cans are too large. Residents who have smaller, one-car garages said they are unable to fit both their car and their new trash can inside. In some cases, leaving trash cans outside results in fines from homeowners associations, they said.

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“Further, these 64 gallon totes are not a reasonable level of service for those of us in one or two person households, often senior citizens. We typically have only one or two grocery store shopping bags of refuse per week,” resident Ed Muldoon wrote on Patch.

“Our whole community can’t put them in the garage. They are peppered around the neighborhood,” Jan Obrand told village officials at last week’s Chamber of Commerce meeting.

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Recycling cans are provided in both sizes, as well as a 35-gallon size for smaller households. After receiving complaints from some residents after the larger trash cans were distributed, Buffalo Grove announced that residents who wished to have a smaller trash can could obtain a 35-gallon container for a $2 monthly fee.

Village Manager Dane Bragg will ask Monday for Buffalo Grove trustees to approve a renegotiated contract that gives residents the option of trading their current can for a 35-gallon one at no additional cost.

“When the program was first launched in April, many residents were pleased. The automated system is cleaner and more efficient than the traditional manual collection. Toter carts provide the Village with an improvement in service, environmental benefits, and a safer work environment – which ensures a high level of cost-effective service,” Bragg said in a press release. “However, some residents have fewer demands for the 64 gallon or larger toter. We’ve found that those residents would benefit from having the smaller 35 gallon trash toter.”

The current five-year Waste Management contract runs through 2017. The renegotiated contract includes a two-year extension, which would allow the company to recoup the estimated $170,000 it would spend to switch larger trash carts for smaller ones, according to the press release.

This year, residents have until June 7 to request a different size trash cart. After that, residents would be able to switch cart sizes at no cost each May. A $25 fee would be charged for size changes requested during all other months.

Buffalo Grove officials will vote on the renegotiated contract during the May 20 board meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall. 


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