Streets & Sanitation
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE
Franchise Memo
Proposal to Establish a Municipal Solid Waste Franchise
With the assistance of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), the Public Works Department has developed the concept of an exclusive solid waste franchise for collection and disposal of all commercial refuse in the City. This concept was introduced to the Council last year during the departmental program reviews and was listed as an initiative of the Streets and Sanitation Division for implementation in 2008.
The basic concept is that it is in the City's best interest to establish one hauler as the designated hauler of commercial waste. The hauler would be selected by the City using the bid process and the selected hauler would provide solid waste removal for all City business, institutions, and multi-family dwellings that are not serviced by the City or our agent through some other program.
The current system has many haulers using our streets and alleys with multiple companies servicing businesses located side-by-side. Having a franchise waste hauler minimizes the number of trucks on our streets and in our alleys by having one hauler provide this service. More important is that the franchise waste concept has been proven to reduce the cost of solid waste collection and disposal to the businesses which are served. It also provides a framework that will allow us to offer recycling for businesses at a minimal cost.
SWANCC assisted us in surveying of our business community and they found what they have found in every municipality they have surveyed to date - pricing for this service is inconsistent with the service provided. They believe that franchising will establish reasonable rates for all businesses and that the bid process will provide the best value for our business community.
In summary, the franchise will reduce removal cost for the businesses, increase recycling, and reduce truck traffic on City streets and in the alleys. The franchise will also provide revenue to the City because it is our intent to charge a franchise fee to the hauler. It is possible to produce revenues in the $200,000 per year range and it is our recommendation that these funds be used to purchase new refuse carts and recycling
PUBLIC WORKS 
Streets & Sanitation
Solid Waste Franchise