La Grange Not Seeking Bids For Trash Pact

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange is apparently not going out to bid for its garbage contract, which expires this summer.

But the head of a village committee is urging officials to check out the competition.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Rose Naseef, chairwoman of the Environmental Quality Commission, said the village needs to look at ways to further encourage residents to generate less waste.

"Waste harms our health and the environment in many ways," she said.

Naseef presented several ideas for reducing trash. One nearby town's waste hauler, she said, only charges if a household puts out containers for pickup. In other words, residents who skip a week pay less.

"With the belief that the Village Board was against seeking input from (the commission) regarding the contract, the commission researched waste, recycling and composting issues and met with the current hauler to learn about the process and challenges of managing waste," Naseef said.

The panel turned in a report to village staff, but Naseef said it was not forwarded to the Village Board.

The commission, she said, recommended the village seek bids.

Village President Mark Kuchler said the staff has begun meeting with the current hauler, Oakbrook Terrace-based Flood Brothers Disposal. Among the topics have been commission-recommended items, he said.

Responding to Patch's inquiry Tuesday, Village Manager Jack Knight said the current contract, which expires July 31, includes renewal provisions for a term of up to five years.

"Current workloads and personnel transitions preclude the Village from undertaking a bidding process at this time," he said in an email.

La Grange would not be alone if it did not seek bids for its garbage service. Changing companies involves a sizable undertaking of switching out rollout containers.

In Hinsdale, village trustees approved a three-year contract in 2023 with its existing company, Phoenix-based Republic Services. The contract included a rate hike that was described as steep.

At the time, Village President Tom Cauley said he wished the village had sought bids, but it just didn't have enough time. He said Hinsdale would do so next time.

In 2021, Darien was poised to negotiate a new contract with its provider, Houston-based Waste Management. But aldermen asked to seek bids.

As a result, Darien ended up striking a deal with Morton Grove-based LRS that officials described as providing more service for a comparable cost.