Darien agrees to pay more for recycling

Residents will not see an immediate impact from the increase

By Michael S. Hoey

Correspondent

The Village of Darien board approved a requested increase from John’s Disposal for recycling in the village at its meeting Monday night. The rate was increased from $3.50 per unit to $4.50 per unit.

Village Administrator Rebecca LeMire said the village pays for trash removal and recycling through the tax levy, not user fees, so village residents will not see any immediate impact of the increase. She said the village tried to negotiate to have the increase phased in over two years, but the company said it needs the full increase in 2020.

Brian Jongetjes, president of John’s Disposal, which services the village, said the increase was necessary due to changes in the recycling market since the fall of 2017.

He explained most recycling went to China until 2017. But due to changes in the trade markets, that is no longer the case and now the American market has too much fiber in it.

Jongetjes said John’s Disposal, which makes much of its profit on the recycling end of the business, was close to going out of business as a result of those changes and the only way to stay in business was to raise rates.

He said John’s has been serving the village since 1995 and had not raised its initial rate for 25 years. The rate did increase by 25 cents in 2017.

Jongetjes said John’s has provided good efficient service that has received good feedback from customers.

LeMire said the board had the following three options:

  • Accept the rate increase that would begin on Jan. 1 and continue with the current contract for 2020;
  • Accept the rate increase but negotiate for additional services that would cost more, or;
  • Deny the rate increase and void the remainder of the contract for the year 2020.

LeMire said she reached out to Nieuwenhuis Brothers in Delavan but was told they might not even bid on the contract for 2020 if it became available.

John’s indicated it would bid on the contract if the village voided the current contract but the rate would be higher than $4.50 because even at that rate, their costs are not covered.

LeMire said Monday she recommended the village accept the rate increase since it was unlikely the village could do better and the company has provided good customer service.

The board approved the increase unanimously.

Read other topics the board discussed in the Delavan Enterprise.

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