Wheaton Residents Sound Off on How to Pay for Garbage Services

 Source: City of Wheaton press release

How would you rate Wheaton’s current garbage and recycling service? Would you rather pay a monthly fee or continue using garbage/yard waste stickers? Would you like to use a garbage cart similar to the blue recycling carts?

The city of Wheaton is looking for residents input on these topics in an online survey, which will be available for residents to take through Feb. 29. And we recently asked Wheaton Patch Facebook followers to share their thoughts on garbage services and how they think residents should pay for those services. Here are some of the responses we got:

• “I moved from Wheaton to Hanover Park and think the stickers are much more cost effective. I am forced to pay a rental fee for my trash bins on top of the monthly fee (I believe a total of about $60) and I have MAYBE a total of 3 bags of garbage a month. If they’d only charge when you put your bin out, perfect, but I would be curious as to how the garbage collectors would track when they pick up from your home. Just thought I’d share my experience with my old neighbors.”
  
• “Keep the stickers! We are a two person household and don’t generate that much trash. There’s no reason we need to pay the same as people who throw out more. The current system encourages recycling, so it’s a more environmentally friendly plan.”
• “I actually live in Winfield and we have both options. You can do the stickers, but you have to use stickers for everything - garbage and yardwaste. We opted to do the monthly plan because it came with the nice big garbage can and if we have extra bags that won’t fit in the can or yardwaste (we have a lot of trees-over 20 bags of leaves last fall) that is included in our monthly cost. I always hated having to remember to buy stickers.”
  
• “ The survey indicates that you would only pay when you put your garbage can out. That way you don’t have to mess with stickers but still pay only for what you use.”
• “Stickers are great! By paying for what you throw out it makes you think more about it.”
• “Depends how much the monthly fee would be. I never have more than one can- so would not like to pay more to cover people who have 3 or 4. The stickers can be a pain- and sometimes the kids mess around on the way to school and tear them off. A cart would be nice.”

Wheaton residents can share their opinions on a survey about garbage, recycling and yard waste collection here. Residents who do not have access to the internet can complete a paper copy of the survey at city hall. Your feedback will influence the level and type of services you receive; how the program’s costs are structured; and how you pay for garbage/recycling service.

The deadline to complete this survey is Feb. 29. Printed surveys are available by request by calling 630-260-2019 or sending an email to communications@wheaton.il.us.

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