DeKalb Waste Hauling Change FAQs

Why the change from Waste Management to Lakeshore Recyling Systems?

Lakeshore Recycling (LRS) came in with a lower bid than Waste Management. The new base rate will be $15.58 per billing period, which will be a savings of about $3.75 per customer. St. Charles and Geneva also recently signed contracts with LRS, after switching from their previous garbage collection providers.

When will LRS Waste Collection begin?

Since the new contract begins September 1 and it’s a holiday weekend, the first collections will be Thursday, Sept 6 – Saturday, Sept 8.

Will my collection days/times change?

Most residents will have their garbage picked up on the same days, but possibly at different times. You should have all of your items at the curb for pick-up by 6 a.m. on collection day. There will be some residents whose pick-up day will change from Thursday to Wednesday, but if you are one of them you should have received a notice of the change on a sticker and hanger on your new cart, as well as a postcard notice in the mail.

Will my service change?

The basic services are not changing. Residents will still use carts issued by the waste service provider. Residents are allowed to place an unlimited amount of containerized refuse (garbage) to the curb each week so long as it’s properly prepared and placed inside the cart or approved refuse container.

Resident owned containers may only be used for refuse exceeding the cart capacity. Resident owned containers may not exceed 32 gallons, 50 pounds in weight and must have two handles.

There is a sticker on your recycling can that tells you what is and isn’t recyclable. You can also visit the LRS website for that information.

Three New Services provided by LRS:

Electronic Waste Collection
Beginning in October 2018, a once-a-month curbside electronic waste collection will be offered for the DeKalb residents.

Organic Food Scraps (OFS) Collection
During the yard waste collection season, residents may mix Organic Food Scraps (OFS) with yard waste. Acceptable OFS include bread, cereal, coffee grounds, dairy, egg shells, eggs, fruits, grain, pasta, shells, and vegetables.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection
Beginning in the spring of 2019, another new service at no additional cost will be household hazardous waste (HHW) collection. HHW materials will be collected from the front door area or top of the driveway. Information will be provided for residents in early 2019 that will explain how the LRS HHW program works.

How do I get more or different-sized cans?

The city’s new provider began delivering 95-gallon garbage and 65-gallon recycling toters Monday, but if you need a free additional trash can, a smaller garbage can or a larger recycling can, you should visit lrsrecycles.com/dekalb/ or contact the provider by email at dekalb@lrsrecycles.com or phone (815) 770-7550.

What is the policy on large items?

One (1) large or bulky item that does not fit into the refuse cart or approved waste container may be placed out for collection each week. This may be an item such as a couch, chair, table or mattress.

Very heavy items that cannot be managed easily such as a piano, sofa sleeper, etc. are considered a special pick-up and residents will need to contact LRS for an estimate. Residents who have more than one large item and would like a special pick-up, please contact LRS for an estimate on a special collection.

E-mail for an estimate: DeKalb@LRSrecycles.com or call (815) 770-7550

Why will there no longer be landscape dumpsters?

The new contract eliminates the City’s three sites for landscape waste at Fire Station #2 1154 South 7th Street, 950 W. Dresser Road, and the southeast corner of North 7th Street and Oak Street. These facilities were expensive to operate and had become prone to abuse and misuse. The service was intended for residents, but local businesses, which aren’t covered under the same contract, were using the sites during off-hours to dump large amounts of yard waste, including large trees. So the city dropped this service in the new contract and that contributed to the $3.75 savings per resident.

LRS will collect yard waste from residents curbside from April 1 through the end of November. Yard waste collection will occur on the same day as your garbage and recycling.

Place yard waste in a biodegradable landscape waste bags or open garbage cans marked with “YW” or “X,” not exceeding 32-gallons and 50-lbs. Brush must be cut to 4-foot lengths and bundled with biodegradable twine or string, not to exceed 50 pounds. LRS will provide annual Christmas tree collections for the first two weeks in January.

LRS will offer 65-gallon and 95-gallon carts for yard waste. These are optional and available for residents to rent for a small fee billed quarterly by LRS.

65-gallon yard waste cart = $3.00 per month
95-gallon yard waste cart = $5.00 per month

Who do I contact with questions or concerns?

If your garbage is not picked up, contact LRS at (815) 770-7550 or email your name, phone number, and address to DeKalb@LRSrecycles.com to notify customer service which waste material(s) were not collected.

For regular updates, visit the City of DeKalb website at www.cityofdekalb.com. You may also follow them on Facebook and Twitter at @cityofdekalb_IL.

Please call Patrick DiDiana at (815) 748-8135 or patrick.didiana@cityofdekalb.com with questions and concerns.

About Lakeshore Recyling Systems

Serving Chicagoland for nearly 20 years, Lakeshore Recycling Systems is the largest privately-held waste and recycling company in Illinois. LRS provides safe and innovative recycling and waste diversion programs, affordable roll-off container services, portable restroom rentals, mulch distribution, street sweeping, on-site storage options and comprehensive waste removal for more than 300,000 residences and businesses throughout greater Chicago and northern Illinois.

LRS owns and operates 10 Midwest facilities, a fleet of fuel-efficient natural gas-powered trucks and is run by over 800 committed full-time employees. The recipient of numerous industry and safety awards and commendations, including: the 2018 Overall Safety Award bestowed by the Solid Waste Association of North America; the 2017 Illinois Sustainability Award; Chicago Public Schools’ coveted Best Partnership Award, and a #35 ranking on Waste360’s Top 100 Waste and Recycling Companies in North America. Controlling over 2.4 million tons-per-year, LRS does not own or operate a landfill and is committed to a circular and scalable business model centered on environmentally sustainability. Learn more at www.LRSrecycles.com.