Naperville Selection of Waste Management Aligns with City's Sustainability Goals

Beginning May 1, the residents of Naperville will no longer have the routine sound of typical waste collection vehicles to remind them to put their trash carts at the curb. Waste Management of Illinois, selected as the new residential trash and yard waste collection service provider, will be deploying compressed natural gas vehicles (CNG) in the City.

“Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles are far quieter than the diesel collection vehicles,” said Mike Brink, manager of public sector solutions, for Waste Management. “In addition to the reduced noise, the CNG vehicles have lower emissions thereby reducing environmental impact.”

Waste Management has been a pioneer in the use of natural gas in their fleet and currently operates the largest of its kind in the waste industry with more than 3,500 natural gas vehicles across North America. CNG vehicles emit nearly zero air particulates and cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 25% (based on replacing diesel trucks that are 2006 or older).

Another element in reducing the City’s carbon footprint as part of the new collection agreement, Naperville’s residential trash will be disposed at the Will County - Prairie View Disposal Facility, operated by Waste Management.

“Disposal of the residential trash at Prairie View is another factor in significantly reducing the City’s’ overall carbon footprint due to shorter transportation, a savings of over 152,000 highway miles per year. This number represents 21,750 fewer gallons of fuel burned per year leading to the reduced emissions,” continued Brink.

As part of the Naperville’s Environmental Sustainability Plan, Naperville is one of a few municipalities in the Midwest to commission a greenhouse gas emission inventory. The initial emission inventory report was completed in 2009 and then updated in 2013 with the assistance of the Indian Prairie School District 204 students.

“Waste Management’s use of CNG vehicles and their local disposal solution helps support the City’s sustainability goals to reduce the carbon footprint of our community. Due to the significant reduction in transportation associated with the disposal of the City’s waste within Will County, this four-year contract also achieves cost savings which helps us on the fiscal front as well,” said Communications Manager Linda LaCloche.

Carl Niemann, Waste Management’s director of public sector solutions stated, “Waste Management is excited to provide residential refuse and yard waste services to the City of Naperville. We look forward to partnering with the City to demonstrate how the use of new technology and additional services can provide value to Naperville residents.”