Politics & Government
Compost Collection Coming to Oak Park
Rates rise with pilot program, part of Oak Park's new waste contract.
Some Oak Parkers soon may be able to throw out apple cores, egg shells, coffee grounds and other natural items with their bottles and cans.
A pilot program focusing on collecting organic waste is part of the village’s new five-year hauling contract with Waste Management. Details, including which parts of town will take part in this new compost collection program, have not been worked out, said Karen Rozmus, the village’s solid waste manager.
Residents will pay more to haul away trash, recyclables and leaves. Starting in January, when the new agreement takes effect, garbage rates for homes using a 96-gallon cart will increase $1.61 a month, from $19.89 to $21.50. Rates for homes that use a 64-gallon cart will go up 94 cents a month, from $16.76 to $17.70.
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As part of the deal, 10 solar-powered trash compactors and recycling kiosks will be placed in the village’s business districts to help reduce collection costs, said Rozmus who added they are similar to those on this website.
Waste Management, which has had a contract with Oak Park since 1998, also plans to use compressed natural gas trucks, which will belch out lower emissions, to pick up garbage and recycling.
