Mundelein may consolidate trash removal

Mundelein is one of two Lake County communities allowing residents to choose the company that takes away their garbage -- but that could change.

Village leaders on Monday discussed whether the town instead should be served by a single hauler for household garbage, yard waste and recyclable trash.

Such a move could reduce truck traffic, consolidate garbage-related services and encourage recycling, Assistant Village Manager Michael Flynn said.

It also could mean the end of the village's annual spring cleanup -- an effort that addresses larger household items such as a couch or a roll of old carpeting -- because such items could be put to the curb as part of the regular trash removal service, officials said. That would save the village money, officials said.

Mundelein trustees and administrators discussed the issue Monday during an hourlong public works committee meeting. Neither the committee nor the full board took formal action on the matter.

Mundelein Disposal handles about 85 percent of the residential trash-removal business in town, according to a village memo, while Waste Management handles about 10 percent of the business. The memo attributed the remaining 5 percent to vacancies or alternative disposal methods.

Beach Park is the only other Lake County town that offers residents a garbage-removal choice, Flynn said.

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County long has recommended municipalities have contracts with single waste haulers. Having such a deal in place would be good for residents, Village Administrator John Lobaito said, because a company would want to keep the village and residents happy to keep that contract.

Trustee Terri Voss said residents she's spoken with about the possible change don't want garbage fees to increase or service to slip.

Trustee Ed Sullivan believes using one company would be more efficient and lower costs.

One resident, Jack Forshaw, was critical of the change, saying residents should be able to choose their garbage company so they can switch firms if they're dissatisfied with service.

"I'm not so sure it's good for government to tell people who they can or cannot use in their homes," he said.

Residents who want to share opinions on the issue with village officials should call Flynn at (847) 949-3223 or send an e-mail to mflynn@mundelein.org.