Shakopee Seeking New Contractor for Garbage and Recycling

The following is a press release from the city of Shakopee.

The City of Shakopee will seek proposals for its next residential garbage and recycling contract, placing emphasis on single-sort recycling and who owns the City’s garbage and recycling carts.

At its Feb. 5 meeting, the Shakopee City Council authorized issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP), which will allow garbage haulers a chance to bid on a new, five-year contract to begin June 2014.

The City’s current contract with Dick’s Sanitation expires May 31, 2014. Last year, Dick’s Sanitation, who has  provided the City’s residential garbage and recycling service since 2001, requested a contract extension in exchange for a change in recycling systems.  The City Council instead decided to seek RFPs.

Two key components of the RFP are the options to go to the single-sort recycling system, which allows residents to place all their recyclables in one bin, as well as for the City (and not the hauler) to own the garbage and recycling carts. Organic recycling collection will also be an option in the RFP.

“The desire is to provide as much flexibility in the response documents as possible, so that creative proposals may be considered,” said City Administrator Mark McNeill.

The RFP is available online on the City’s website at www.ci.shakopee.mn.us/garbage-recyclingRFP.cfm.

Proposals must be submitted by March 20. 

A proposal review committee will review and evaluate the proposals. In May, the committee will make a recommendation to the Council, with the intent to award a contract in June.