In preparation for the roll out of the grid garbage collection system, today the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation will begin posting notifications on City-serviced household refuse carts in targeted wards to inform residents of their new garbage collection day. The grid garbage system will begin on June 11, 2012 in select north side wards, and will be rolled out citywide by the end of the year.

"Over the past several weeks, we have worked closely with the aldermen and community groups to inform residents about the benefits of the grid garbage collection system as well as potential day of service changes," said Commissioner Thomas G. Byrne, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. "Everyone should anticipate receiving the same high quality, weekly collection services they have come to expect from the City of Chicago with a significant savings to taxpayers. Some residents may experience a change in their refuse collection day, but that will be the only change."

Residents who live within the phase one roll out boundaries in wards 40, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 and receive City of Chicago refuse collection services will receive notices on their carts beginning Monday, June 4 through Friday, June 8. For operational purposes, notices will be color-coded, and outline residents’ new day of service beginning the week of June 11, 2012.

Additionally, the notices will inform residents who receive curbside blue cart recycling services that their recycling day of service will also change to the same day as their garbage pickup. Residents who receive alley blue cart recycling services will not experience changes to their recycling collection service.

The first phase of the seven-phase grid garbage collection roll out will begin on Monday, June 11. Phase two of the roll out will include wards 30, 33, 35, 38, 39, 41 and 45, and is expected to begin later this summer.

The implementation of a grid garbage collection system in Chicago will increase garbage collection efficiency and crew productivity while saving taxpayers approximately $20 million in operations costs.

The new grid system, widely used by municipalities and private refuse haulers, will change collection routes from non-linear ward geography to a grid system with routes bordered by main streets and natural boundaries. The service model will concentrate sanitation workers in targeted areas of the city each day and create balanced service regions to improve daily collection performance.

Residents who would like more information about the grid garbage collection system and related service changes are encouraged to visit the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation website at www.cityofchicago.org/dss, call 311 or contact their local ward office.

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