More than 57,000 households to transition beginning February 25, 2013

The City of Chicago today announced plans to roll out the sixth phase of the grid garbage collection system to approximately 57,000 households on Chicago’s south and southwest sides beginning February 25, 2013.  The transition will take place in wards 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 20 and 25.

“I am completely focused on protecting taxpayer money and delivering city services effectively and efficiently,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.  “By moving to a grid garbage collection system, we can maintain quality services, while making better use of our resources.”

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

By utilizing more efficient routes, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation can provide the same weekly refuse services to Chicago residents while saving millions in operation costs by using fewer resources, such as crews, vehicles and fuel. 

Under the leadership of Mayor Emanuel, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation has successfully adopted similar grid-based reforms in the graffiti and forestry service areas that have led to significant increases in productivity and efficiency.

The grid refuse routes were developed by the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation with the assistance of outside consultants.  In order to make the routes as efficient as possible, the grids were thoroughly vetted by the ward superintendents who provided valuable feedback about their service area.

In coordination with aldermanic offices and community groups, the City of Chicago is educating residents about the grid system and potential day of week service changes through a targeted public outreach campaign.  The campaign includes media relations, direct-to-consumer outreach and social media engagement.

“I am confident the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation can effectively implement the grid garbage collection system and maintain quality service while saving taxpayer resources,” said Alderman Will Burns, 4th Ward. “I’m committed to working with the department to ensure the transition to the new system is successful and that the needs of the residents remain our highest priority.”

The department will finalize preparations for the transition to the grid system during the week of February 18, 2013, when crews will post “Change in Garbage Service Day” notices to garbage carts to inform residents within the boundaries of their new day of service effective February 25, 2013. 

The notices will also 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 maintain their same week of service, though their day of collection may change.  Residents with alley blue cart services should leave their carts in the alley for their entire collection week to ensure service.

During the first five phases, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation successfully transitioned approximately 356,000 households onto the grid garbage collection system.

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.chicago.gov/dss, call 311 or contact their local ward office.

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