Final Report: Single-Hauler Trash

The policy idea to move to one trash and recycling provider for the city, competitively bid for 5-year increments, is officially at its end for the foreseeable future. And while we at CASE are disappointed at the result, we are nevertheless supportive of city council’s decision.

CASE was in favor of the overall concept. We had liked the potential for cost savings for households, as well as the potential for increased recycling rates, consideration of compost services, fewer trash trucks in our streets and alleys, and the ability for residents to get additional support from the city to enforce customer service levels and penalties.

However, the bids from that came in from trash haulers did not contain the prices savings or service levels that would be required to make the change a success. The bids were likely constrained by the tight labor market, higher fuel costs, company profit margins, and the fact that Englewood needs service on streets as well as alleys.

CASE supported the Residential Trash Committee’s full and final recommendations including that the issue should not be pursued without more competitive prices, and agree that at this juncture and for our city’s unique circumstances, such prices are not likely to materialize. 

We are grateful for city council’s careful consideration of the issue, and also grateful for the selfless service and commitment from staff to make sure the city council and committee had all they needed for fair and informed consideration.