Des Plaines residents will have a new system for garbage collection next year after aldermen voted 8-0 this week to consider only the use of rolling garbage and recycling bins.
Mt. Prospect-based ARC Disposal & Recycling has collected trash in Des Plaines for seven years, but the company’s contract expires in five months, officials said. Residents currently use traditional garbage cans and rectangular 19-gallon recycling bins.
Aldermen voted Monday night to ask bidders on the waste-hauling contract to include rolling 95-gallon garbage carts and rolling 65-gallon recycling carts. Aldermen who have used the carts in a pilot program said they encourage more recycling, discourage animals and prevent trash from blowing through neighborhoods.
“My neighbors came running out to see them,” Ald. Laura Murphy said. “They’re neater looking.”
Des Plaines residents pay $14.66 per month for garbage collection but could expect to pay about $18 per month for the rolling bins, Ald. Don Smith said.
Richard Bulthius, ARC municipal affairs and business manager, said his company intends to bid the contract.
The cost would cover new bins for about 30,000 customers and the purchase of waste-hauling trucks with mechanical arms.