Landscape charge drops in Lindenhurst

Subscription fees for yard waste collection in Lindenhurst have been slashed as part of a deal negotiated between the village and Groot Disposal.

In return for extending Groot’s recycling contract three years, the annual cost for weekly landscape waste pickup was cut from $162.50 to $100, village officials said.

“We approached them about a year ago with concerns that our rates for the subscription service were considerably higher than what other communities were paying,” said Village Administrator Matt Formica.

The number of households in the optional program had dropped from about 500 to 300, Formica said. The program allows subscribers to put out four parcels per week, be it yard waste, bundles or containers, he added. Nonsubscribers can buy stickers as needed for yard waste collection.

Residents who already have paid for this year’s program will receive a credit on their account. The subscription fee will increase $10 annually after this year.

In a related matter, residents through June can replace their recycling containers with larger, 95-gallon containers at no extra monthly cost. After that, a one-time $25 charge to switch sizes will be imposed. Residents should call Groot at (847) 693-2700 to make the change.

In return for the reduction on yard waste costs, the village extended the term of its recycling contract with Groot to 2016, with 3 percent annual fee increases.

The village hopes that some in the village of 4,800 residents will now rejoin or sign up for the yard waste program, Formica said.

“Refuse and recycling rates in Lindenhurst are the second lowest amongst area communities and these changes will further enhance the value of these services,” Mayor Susan Lahr added.