Flooding changes Fox Valley garbage pickup

Property damage from last week's storms and flooding prompted several Fox Valley towns to loosen their rules for garbage pickup.

Elgin designated several residential areas throughout the city where there will be special pickups on weekly trash collection days until Sept. 8. Garbage must be placed in containers no larger than 40 gallons and no heavier than 45 pounds.

Bulk items and two appliances also are permitted. If you live in a designated area, all these items may be disposed of without a sticker.

To dispose of sandbags or find out if you live in a designated area, contact the Elgin Public Works Department at (847) 697-3160.

Algonquin residents who live in areas where the village recommended evacuation will be notified that they can dispose of items damaged by flooding on their garbage day.

To find out if you live in an affected area, or to dispose of flood-damaged items outside of the designated areas, call village hall at (847) 658-2700.

Carpentersville residents are entitled to unlimited garbage pickup this week -- except for construction debris and appliances -- because the village declared itself a natural disaster area.

In East Dundee, garbage crews will try to pick up any flood-damaged items, including appliances, on Wednesday.

"Nothing has changed … but the waste hauler will be as cooperative as possible with property owners," Village Administrator Frank Koehler said.

In several towns that use Arc Disposal, the normal rules apply. Residents are permitted unlimited garbage pickup as long as the refuse is in containers no larger than 34 gallons and no heavier than 50 pounds.

Arc's contracts with area villages -- South Elgin, Lake in the Hills, Gilberts and Sleepy Hollow -- also allow residents to dispose of one bulk item per week.

To dispose of anything beyond one cubic yard of waste and one bulk item per week, you should call Arc Disposal at least 48 hours before your scheduled pickup time at (847) 981-0091 to get a cost estimate.

Carpentersville will evaluate the village's garbage needs at the end of the week to determine if they should continue with unlimited pickup, Arc Disposal said.

Officials in Pingree Grove, where there was minimal storm damage, said they still hadn't decided Wednesday whether to loosen the rules for garbage pickup.