New S. Elgin trash plan ready

South Elgin residents only have to wait another few weeks before a new trash disposal and recycling program begins.

By the last week of November, Arc Disposal Co. should be furnishing residents with large, wheeled, lidded containers -- one for garbage and another for recycling, Village Finance Director Art Skibley said Monday.

The 95-gallon cart is reserved for garbage and the 65-gallon cart is for recyclables, although smaller bins are optional for anyone who needs them, he added.

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

Trustee Steve Ward is a big fan of the new carts and said they'll keep South Elgin looking beautiful by eliminating the amount of trash blowing around town on pickup days.

The village approved the plan earlier this fall, but it came up again last night during a measure to amend language in village laws that previously limited containers to being no less than 10 gallons and no more than 34 gallons.

The ordinance now refers to the devices as "proper refuse and receptacle carts."

Arc would pick up waste and recycling materials three days a week instead of two. Arc also would 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 bins.

Fliers will go out to the village detailing frequently asked questions about the program.

The new program is roughly $3 more than the existing one.

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

Cost of the eight-year deal will be $19.86 a month.

Arc has similar agreements with Gilberts, Carpentersville, Mount Prospect and Des Plaines.