Trash carts raise a stink in S. Elgin

It's the worst case of hot potato to have ever hit South Elgin.

If you've got issues with the new trash and recycling carts, who are you supposed to call?

South Elgin officials said residents should call ARC Disposal Co., the company behind the wheeled carts that as of Monday are now in use.

"They're the ones that should be handling the situation," Finance Director Art Skibley said Tuesday.

But some residents -- including Trustee Scott Richmond -- said ARC is referring them and their complaints to village hall.

"Apparently, there's a communication gap as to who we really talk to," resident Bob Frabizio said.

The village has received 150 phone calls since ARC delivered the carts last week, Skibley said.

While some callers complimented the program, most had complaints, said Skibley, whose department is handling the onslaught of calls.

Trustee Michael Kolodziej accuses ARC of giving residents the "runaround" and playing "cat and mouse."

Rich Bulthuis, ARC's municipal affairs manager, has stepped in and said residents should either refer to the brochure that came with their carts or call the company with questions or concerns.

ARC's phone number is (847) 981-0091.

"Please do not call the village as this only delays processing legitimate requests," Bulthuis said via e-mail.

Trustees in October finalized a seven-year deal with the company to furnish each home with wheeled, lidded carts for garbage and recyclables. Kolodziej was the lone trustee to vote against the switch.

These carts replace the old system in which residents put out an 18-gallon bin for recycling and any size garbage can for everything else.

It's a move some trustees have said will put an end to trash, garbage cans and recycled materials flying through the neighborhood.

Still, not everyone sees that benefit of the program.

Some residents, Skibley said, thought they were entitled to smaller carts -- the one for trash is 95 gallons and the cart reserved for recycled materials is 65 gallons.

Others have complained they're too big for storage and that they'll be tough to maneuver in the snow.

"I think you're looking at a mess for the next four or five months," said resident Rick Dreher.

Disabled residents and seniors who are at least 65 qualify for smaller carts, which they can get by calling ARC, Bulthuis said.

ARC also is working with certain condominium and townhome associations whose rules call for smaller carts, he said.

Everyone else is required to use the existing carts, he said.

Trustee Steve Ward acknowledges change is difficult, but asks residents to give the program a chance.

"Once you get used to them, they're the best," he said of the carts.