Go Out To Bid For Elmhurst Trash Pact: Alderman

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst alderman this week encouraged the city to go out to bid for trash services as much as possible.

The city last went out to bid for garbage pickup in 2017. It entered a five-year contract with Phoenix-based Republic Services.

In 2022, the city extended the pact by three years, until March 2026. The deal contained 3 percent rate hikes each year.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Alderman Michael Bram said it was important to go out to bid as often as the city can. He said he wanted to see what other options were available.

"Eight years without going out to bid to see if we can get cheaper prices or a better program is a little bit concerning to me," Bram said.

City Manager Jim Grabowski said the city looked at comparable towns' garbage prices when it renewed the contract last year.

"We talked to other refuse haulers as well about the current contract we had and the extension we were being given," he said. "It wasn't just a blank 'let's give them a three-year extension.' We did a lot of due diligence on that."

Elmhurst is not alone in renewing contracts with its current garbage company.

In 2021, Darien's city administration originally proposed negotiating with its trash company, Houston-based Waste Management, for an extension. But aldermen wanted to go out to bid.

Darien ended up with a contract with Morton Grove-based LRS. It included features popular with many residents such as unlimited pickup of garbage, yard waste and recycling.

Last month, Hinsdale approved a new three-year contract with its longtime company, Republic Services. It included 4.3 percent annual increases.

Village President Tom Cauley said he would like to go out to bid next time. He said the village did not have enough time to do so this time.