Geneva's Garbage Sticker Fees Drop With New, 5-Year Contract

Pay attention, because you'll have a lot of options to choose from under the new waste-hauling contract signed Monday by the Geneva City Council.

But the bottom line is that you can keep doing what you're doing now and you'll save money, because the sticker price will drop from $3.18 to $2.85 for the first year of the contract, which starts July 1.

In fact, the sticker price will continue to be lower than it is now for the first three years of the five-year contract with Advanced Disposal. The sticker price will go to $2.98 in Year 2 (2014-15) and $3.11 in Year 3 (2015-16.) It will go to $3.25 in Year 4 and $3.40 in Year 5.

The sticker, of course, can be used for garbage collection or for yard-waste collection—just as we do it now.

You'll also have the option of buying a cheaper sticker for a 20-gallon "half bag." The 20-gallon sticker will cost just $1.85 in the first year.

Recycling will continue to be free of charge, as it is now. You'll get a free recycling toter to replace your blue city of Geneva bins, and you can get those toters in sizes of 35, 65 or 95 gallons.

"I think once people get that recycling toter, they’re going to like it," Public Works Director Dan Dinges said after Monday night's meeting. "I like it. It’s got wheels, it’s got a cover, so (the recycled material) doesn’t blow out."

Advanced Disposal Area Manager Jim Alderman and Regional Municipal Marketing Manager Robert Pfister said most residents use their own garbage can.

"The 65-gallon recycling program and the sticker program is the most popular," Pfister said.

But if you recycle a lot, the 95-gallon container is an option for no extra charge. Some folks who simply don't produce a lot of garbage or recyclables, will prefer the less-expensive 20-gallon garbage sticker and the smaller, 35-gallon recycling toter.

"If they’re empty nesters, they might not generate as much recycling," Dinges said. "So they might get away with the 35-gallon."

There are many options in the Advanced Disposal menu, however.

"It has something for everybody, and nobody’s forced to do just one thing," Pfister said. "They can pick almost a la carte."

If you'd like an additional recycling toter, you can get one of any size—35 gallon, 65 gallon or 95 gallon—for just $1.20 a month.

If you choose to rent a refuse toter, you don't have to attach a sticker. So you'll get the toter size you want and can fill it as high as you like. For Year 1, the price per month for the various options are:

• 35-gallon refuse toter: $19
• 65-gallon refuse toter: $20
• 95-gallon refuse toter: $21

You can dispose of household appliances, commonly called "white goods" in the waste-hauling business, for $30 during the first two years of the contract.

The contract doesn't start until July 31, so there is plenty of time for the city of Geneva and Advanced Disposal to get the word out about the various options available. You can expect a flyer to arrive in the mail that explains the various options in greater detail.

One of the reasons Geneva was able to get such a good deal is that it went out for bids along with the city of Batavia. The two cities ended up doing separate contracts but got the same pricing from the low bidder.

"We feel very fortunate to be able to service Geneva," Alderman said. "I think both cities went together to get the best price. We looked at hauling both of them, and by doing that, we could give both of them the best price."

Advanced Disposal previously was named Veolia and is the present service provider in Batavia.

The days of garbage pickup in Geneva are expected to stay the same, as well, with pickup on Thursdays for the East Side and near West Side and on Fridays for the far West Side.