Businesses, commercial properties and larger residential developments in Evanston are in the process of switching over to a single solid waste company.
Over the next two months, approximately 1,500 waste hauler accounts serviced by Waste Management, ARC Disposal, Flood Brothers, Veolia, Lakeshore, Allied Waste and other haulers will all switch to Groot Industriest under the city’s new Municipal Solid Waste Franchise.
“It just makes sense,” said Streets and Sanitation Superintendent Suzette Eggleston.
“Why does one condo building get serviced by one company and the building next door serviced by another?” she said.
City officials believe the franchise takes advantage of economies of scale to lower refuse costs for most participants, increases recycling to preserve landfill capacity, reduces emissions by reducing the quantities of trucks performing the same tasks, and reduces wear and tear on city streets and alleys.
“Streamlining this service saves money, time and energy. It is the right thing to do and is in line with the City’s strategic plan and green efforts,” Eggleston added.
It also provides a revenue stream to the city; a $3 fee per container yard will be noted on monthly invoices from Groot Industries as an “Evanston Administration Fee.” Recycling containers are exempt from this fee.
In the cases where participants face an increase in costs from their previous hauler, the City offers a Cost Assistance Program to offset the cost of increases by paying the cost difference between the old rate and the franchise rate for a specified length of time.
Residential properties that are serviced by City of Evanston crews and condominiums and town homes that participate in the City’s refuse program and are serviced by Flood Brothers are excluded from the program. Additionally, hospitals, universities and government agencies are also excluded.
Groot clients can request waste assessments to fine tune the frequency of service and the capacity of the containers by contacting the company at (800) 35GROOT (354-7668). Since the City holds the franchise, clients with any problems with Groot can contact the City Streets and Sanitation Division, (847) 866-2940, to resolve issues.
Groot will also be supplying roll off boxes for all general contractors, homeowners and businesses for construction, clean-up or general purpose needs.