Taking the green route with garbage

In its efforts to become greener, South Elgin has inked a deal with a disposal and recycling company to bring a cart program to town.

It's a move that some trustees say will put an end to trash, garbage cans and recycled materials flying all over the streets.

Residents use 18-gallon bins for recycling. On trash day, residents leave the bins, garbage cans and bags on the curb for pickup twice a week.

Under the new program, Arc Disposal Co. will furnish residents with large, wheeled, lidded containers -- one for garbage and another for recycling. Collections will occur three times a week.

Moreover, Arc will collect one large item -- such as an old sofa -- per week at no extra charge. And if you produce more garbage than the bins allow, you can rent more.

The new contract expires in 2014 to help Arc defray costs associated with purchasing the carts said Rick Bulthuis, Arc's municipal affairs and business development manager.

All residents will receive a 95-gallon container for trash and a 65-gallon bin for recyclables. Smaller trash and recycling bins will be optional for seniors.

The village currently charges residents $16.75 a month -- included on the water and sewer bill -- for pickup of trash and recyclables.

The new price is $19.86 a month.

Trustee Mike Kolodziej was the lone trustee to vote against the plan, citing an 18 percent increase in the existing price.

"That's, in my opinion, a big chunk of change," he said. "That's almost 20 percent. If gas, water and electricity were going up 20 percent, we would be screaming bloody murder."

Village President Jim Hansen responded that residents are paying for an extra service, not forking over more money for collection alone.