DeKALB – City officials and Lakeshore Recycling Systems are outlining exactly what residents can expect with the changeover in waste pickup services in DeKalb.
DeKalb Public Works Director Tim Holdeman said residents will get the same unlimited refuse services with the new provider, but at a reduced price coming in September. He said Lakeshore will be sending notices via mail next week and the city will continue to communicate via social media and the city’s website.
“It really is key for this transition to go smoothly,” Holdeman said.
The DeKalb City Council approved the Morton Grove-based company, which came in as the lowest bidder for a new waste removal contract, at its June 25 meeting. The move earned the ire of Waste Management employees and DeKalb residents.
The Lakeshore service contract begins Sept. 1, but the first residential service pickups will begin Sept. 6 because of the Labor Day holiday. Waste Management will take its containers during the last week of scheduled pickup, according to the city's website.
Each household automatically will receive a 95-gallon refuse container and a 65-gallon recycling container.
Holdeman said residents will pay $16.98 a unit a month for the new waste removal service provider, which is $3.63 less than what residents are paying currently. He said the rate still will go up 2.5 percent each year in the five-year contract with Lakeshore.
Katie Neary, municipal manager for Lakeshore Recycling Systems, said the company created a DeKalb-specific portal for residents to reference regarding their services and request smaller or additional containers. She said the company is excited to be part of the community and answer any questions residents might have.
“We look forward to meeting DeKalb residents,” Neary said.
Josh Connell, managing partner for Lakeshore Recycling Systems, said he knows that some people were not thrilled with the change in service after the announcement at the June City Council meeting. But residents still will have the same garbage pickup day, compost pickup service beginning immediately and monthly curbside service for electronics waste beginning Oct. 1, all for a reduced price, he said.
“And we keep more items out of the landfill, which is what we’re all trying to accomplish,” Connell said.