Kewanee is changing the way residents’ garbage and recyclables are picked up, and local residents will see some changes in that service.
The city has mailed cards to Kewanee households explaining the changes, which will take effect in the first week of September.
Earlier this year, the City Council voted to contract with LRS to take over the job of picking up trash and recyclables from the city.
The change was made with the understanding that no city employees would lose their jobs. City Clerk Kasey Mitchell said there have been four employees assigned to trash and recyclables pickup; two of them will transfer to the water department and two to the street department.
For Kewanee residents, trash will still be picked up once a week. Residents will keep the blue trash containers the city issued to them several years ago, and continue to use them for garbage.
For recyclables, LRS will distribute a second container. The company will offer bulk recycling service, meaning cans, plastic and paper can all be combined. And Mitchell said no recycling bags will be needed.
The recycling carts will be delivered to local households in the week of Aug. 26.
Recycling will be picked up every other week instead of weekly.
Mitchell said the pickup schedule will be changed for some residents.
LRS officials were scheduled to meet with city officials this week to work out those changes, and Mitchell said anyone whose pickup day is changing will be notified by mail.
In addition to the normal trash and recyclables pickup, LRS will pick up one bulk item weighing less than 50 pounds.
Yard wastes will still be picked up from April 1 to Nov. 30, but the day of yard waste pickup will change from Monday to Friday.
Service days will be delayed by one day for six holidays — New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
With the city handling trash and recyclables pickup, residents whose pickup is accidentally missed (or who simply don’t get their trash out to the curb before the trucks arrive) have been able to call City Hall to arrange for pickup. LRS officials told the City Council that their company offers the same service.
LRS operates the Atkinson Landfill, where Kewanee’s trash has been taken for the past several years. The company also handles trash and recyclables pickup for a number of Illinois communities.
Further information is available by phone at (309) 586-4410 or by email at Monmouth@LRSrecyclables.com.
