“My priority is to ensure we are using our resources as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “By implementing the grid garbage system, we can reduce operational costs without impacting the quality of service, and the taxpayers will benefit.”
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 using more efficient routes, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation can use fewer crews to provide the same weekly refuse services to Chicago residents while saving millions in operation costs. The City also anticipates significantly reducing the expense associated with fuel, vehicle purchase and vehicle maintenance.
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation has been working closely with aldermanic offices and community groups to educate residents about the grid system and potential day of week service changes through a targeted public outreach campaign. Last week, residents within the boundaries of the roll out received notices on their garbage carts informing them of their new day of service effective November 12, 2012.
“The grid garbage collection system provides us with an opportunity to make better use of our resources while providing the same level of service to residents,” said Alderman Emma Mitts, 37th Ward. “I am certain the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation will successfully transition the city onto this new system while addressing the unique needs of each community.”
Once the fourth phase is complete, more than 300,000 households will receive refuse collection services on the grid 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.cityofchicago.org/dss<http://www.cityofchicago.org/dss>, call 311 or contact their local aldermanic office.