Letter: New Garbage Totes Coming Soon

The and Waste Management of Illinois Inc. have announced they will be distributing new recycling and refuse carts to the village’s approximately 12,000 households as a major enhancement to the community’s recycling and waste collection program.

Residents will receive , one for recyclables and one for refuse disposal, as part of the service at no additional charge. The carts will be distributed beginning in early March.

“The new carts will benefit our residents by making it easier for them to move their recyclables and waste to the curb for collection by Waste Management,” Mayor Michael Collins said. “We expect recycling volumes to increase and, because the carts have lids to prevent litter, we expect Plainfield to be an even cleaner community.”

“The new carts are equipped with sturdy wheels, making it much easier and more efficient for residents to move their recyclables and trash out for collection,” said Michael Morley, Waste Management’s municipal marketing manager for Plainfield. 

“The recycling cart will have an easy-to-identify yellow lid containing information about recycling. It will provide five times the capacity of current recycling containers, making it easier to recycle more materials more easily. This should help increase recycling rates. And the larger carts offer more capacity for cleanups after parties, events, and other occasions.”

Waste Management encourages residents to use the larger 96-gallon carts, additional refuse must be contained in a 32-gallon rigid container or bags placed next to the refuse cart on collection day.

Residents do not need to do anything to receive the new 96-gallon carts, Morley said. However, smaller, 64-gallon wheeled cart pairs are available by contacting Waste Management. Residents can request the smaller containers by calling Waste Management’s customer service center at 800-796-9696; emailing their name, address, and telephone number to Waste Management at Plainfield64galcart@wm.com; or filling out and mailing in the postcard residents will receive this week. 

Waste Management asks that requests for the smaller containers be made by Jan. 31.

The new carts are on display at Plainfield Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport St., and at the Plainfield Public Works Building, 14400 Coil Plus Drive.

Residents currently renting a refuse or recycling cart, or both, will no longer be billed for rental charges. They may retain the cart and will receive a letter regarding their cart options.

Bill Plunkett, Waste Management, 708-246-8378

Amy De Boni, Village of Plainfield, 815-436-7093