Elmhurst Poised To Keep Longtime Trash Company

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst bid out its garbage service for the first time in eight years, and officials say they are glad they did.

But city staffers are recommending keeping the longtime provider, Phoenix-based Republic Services.

Since 1991, the city has competitively bid out the contract three times.

In the latest round, Republic was the low bidder, offering a five-year contract total of $20.7 million, according to a city memo. Rosemont-based LRS was slightly higher at $20.8 million, while Houston-based Waste Management was the highest at $27.3 million.

According to the city memo, Republic would mean a "seamless continuation of service" for residents.

Also, the city said Republic offered the greatest difference between garbage container prices, encouraging less waste.

Additionally, Republic, which has served Elmhurst for 17 years, has consistently provided quality service at a low price, the city said.

"The excellent prices offered, and the closeness of the competition, suggest that the City was well served by requesting competitive proposals and detailed statements of qualifications," the memo said.

The City Council's public works committee plans to take up the matter at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

In 2023, Hinsdale officials expressed reservations about the "steep" rate increases in a proposed garbage contract with Republic.

At the time, then-Village President Tom Cauley said he would like to go out to bid for the contract in three years. But he said the village didn't have enough time.

A couple of years earlier, Darien city staffers were preparing to renew the contract with the city's longtime hauler, Waste Management. But aldermen wanted to go out to bid.

In the end, Darien aldermen approved a contract with LRS, which many believed to be superior to the city's previous arrangement.