Orland Park seeks trash pickup options
By Mike Nolan mnolan@southtownstar.com November 5, 2012 11:48PM
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Some changes in how, and how often, Orland Park residents have trash and recyclables picked up are being considered by village officials.
While the village’s contract with Waste Management doesn’t expire until next fall, officials will ask the company and other waste haulers to present contract proposals over the coming months.
At their meeting Monday night, village trustees approved seeking different collection options. Recyclables are collected every other week, and the village wants to get prices for weekly pickup. Another option is using wheeled 96-gallon carts for household trash as well as for recyclables and yard waste. The new carts would enable all three types of waste to be collected via an automated system on the trucks.
Currently, Waste Management uses a semi-automated system for recyclables and yard waste, with drivers rolling them to the front of the truck and raising and emptying them with a hydraulic tipper, Mike Morley, a municipal marketing manager with the company, said.
With a fully automated system, trucks are equipped with an articulated arm that grabs and lifts the cart, with the driver not having to leave the truck.
“Overall, automation is the way to go,” Morley told trustees.
Automated collection is faster and reduces job-related injuries caused by drivers lifting heavy trash bins, Morley said after the meeting.
“The truck is doing the work, not the driver,” he said.
In other business Monday, trustees approved a sales-tax sharing agreement with Mercedes-Benz of Orland Park, 8470 W. 159th St., which is expanding and renovating to include a Smart car franchise and a Mercedes commercial van dealership. The work is expected to cost about $1 million.
Under the agreement, the dealership and village will share in the higher sales tax revenue expected to be generated by the new franchises, up to $453,690 per year. The agreement is for five years but could be extended another five years.
The board also approved liquor licenses for Blissful Banana Cafe, 15447 S. 94th Ave. — allowing the sale of beer, wine and distilled liquor — and Round the Clock, 16310 LaGrange Road, for the sale of beer and wine.
