Franchising of Solid Waste Program

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Due to a recent county ordinance change restricting the open burning of landscape waste in densely populated areas, county residents expressed a need for alternative means of disposing of onsite generated landscape waste. Department staff worked closely with the Geographical Information Systems Department, Purchasing Department, State Attorney’s Office, local policy makers, subdivision representatives, and local citizens to facilitate franchising comprehensive solid waste removal services for over 4200 residences in unincorporated McHenry County. The program includes curbside pick-up of household municipal waste, landscape waste, bulk items, and recyclable materials by a single waste hauler at a lower cost than the majority of the residents in the area were paying. The program ensures economical solid waste removal services for the residents and will allow for the beneficial reuse of the landscape waste, improve the overall recycling rate in the designated areas, and reduce the damage to roadways from truck traffic.