Lake County Gazette

The Zion City Council recently discussed the future of local trash collection as the City's trash collection service provider plans to update its entire fleet of trucks.

During the April 4 council meeting, officials discussed the City's current garbage service contract. Village administrator David Knabel explained that the five-year contract with Waste Management was nearing its end, and a clause in their contract meant that with a 60-day notice they could enter into negotiations over the contract and the future of the partnership. Waste Management has entered into negotiations with the City and has been discussing a possible agreement for several weeks now. Knabel noted that Waste Management informed the council of increased costs of doing business due to inflation, fuel prices, supplies and staffing difficulties.

One issue is due to how Waste Management is trying to streamline its operations. The company is relying more on automated functions for pickup services, changing from manual loaders on trucks to vehicles with fully automated arms. This decision will impact trash collection throughout the city because garbage is currently being picked up manually in alleys. But collection will become more difficult if the company switches all of its trucks to those with overhead arms because of low overhead utility lines. If the company goes through with its decision, garbage will only be able to be picked up from the front of properties.

"We know logistically that's going to be a huge pain and a huge adjustment for a lot of people," Knabel said in the meeting. "But basically recycling goes to the front as it is now; it would be the same process. We still are going to have to work out internally and logistically how to handle, how to manage the compliance of that, how to make sure that any complaints related with that are handled properly."

Knabel went on to add that the council has asked the company to delay deploying the automated garbage trucks until Sept. 4 to allow the City more time to raise public awareness for how the new trucks will operate.

Other changes to trash collection services include reducing recycling pickup from every week to every other week. As a compromise, Waste Management will be offering larger collection bins that hold up to 92 gallons. These upgraded bins will be provided free of charge to residents who typically fill up their current container. Additionally, the company's leaf vacuuming program will only be continued for one more year due to certain issues. Brush and stick pickup will continue as normal.

The City will continue working with Waste Management to inform residents of the changes and handle any complaints or issues that arise as they are implemented in September.