City of Chicago To Implement Third Phase of Grid Garbage Collection

August 29, 2012

System to roll out to 65,000 new households beginning September 17, 2012

Today, the City of Chicago announced plans to roll out the third phase of the grid garbage collection system to approximately 65,000 households beginning September 17, 2012. The roll out will take place in wards 1, 26, 27, 32, 35, 42, 43 and 44 as well as small portions of wards 2, 33, and 47.

"I am committed to providing residents with services that are high quality and cost efficient," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "The grid garbage system demonstrates that we can provide great service while making smarter use of our resources."

Widely used by municipalities and private refuse haulers, the grid system changes collection routes from non-linear ward geography to a system of routes bordered by main streets and natural boundaries. The service model concentrates sanitation workers in targeted areas of the city each day and creates balanced service regions to improve daily collection performance.

By using more efficient routes, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation can use fewer crews to provide the same weekly refuse services to Chicago residents while saving millions in operation costs. It is also expected that the City will significantly reduce the expense associated with fuel, vehicle purchase and vehicle maintenance.

The grid routes were developed by the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation with the help of outside consultants. Once developed, the routes were thoroughly vetted through the ward superintendents who provided valuable neighborhood expertise and feedback to make the routes as efficient as possible.

In coordination with aldermanic offices and community groups, the City of Chicago is educating residents about the grid system and potential day of week service changes through a targeted public outreach campaign. The campaign includes media relations, direct-to-consumer outreach and social media engagement.

"We are working closely with the Department of Streets and Sanitation to ensure the best interests of the residents remain the top priority," said Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., 27th Ward. "I am confident the City can continue to provide the same levels of service to residents while saving millions in tax dollars."

During the week of September 10, 2012, residents within the boundaries of the roll out will receive notices on their garbage carts informing them of their new day of service effective September 17, 2012. The notices will also inform residents who receive curbside blue cart recycling services that their recycling day of service will also change to the same day as their garbage pickup. Residents who receive alley blue cart recycling services will maintain their same week of service, though their day of collection may change. Residents with alley blue cart services should leave their carts in the alley for their entire collection week to ensure service.

*During the first two phases, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation successfully transitioned 127,000 households onto the grid garbage collection system.

Residents who would like more information about the grid garbage collection system and related service changes are encouraged to visit the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation website at www.cityofchicago.org/dss, call 311 or contact their local ward office.

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*This figure was updated on October 9, 2012 from 97,000 households. Phase 1 of the grid roll out contained 55,000 households and Phase 2 contained 72,000 households.

Grid Garbage Collection Map Effective September 17, 2012