The city of Chicago, which is one of the largest waste disposal operations in the United States is beginning a complete re-design of garbage collection to include increased recycling and cost savings.

The switch from ward-based collection methods which are politically controlled to a natural grid system based on streets and geography will improve all aspects of collection and productivity while making the system more financially efficient. The new system has already been enacted select areas on the north side of the city and it is expected that additional neighborhoods will be added later this summer.

City officials hope that the switch to waste collection methods will result in savings of $25 to $30 million dollars for taxpayers while improving garbage collection for all residents.

The city has also promised that it will expand recycling services under the new grid system as currently a less than half of the 600,000 household have access to recycling. However, with garbage collection changes being put in place, it is expected that by 2013 all residents will have recycling available to them.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Whether you’re a large city like Chicago or a small town, it pays to revisit your waste collection strategy and see if there’s room for improvement. Greater savings and increased waste recycling services can help to make your municipality a better place to live.