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Brown Deer approves five‑year renewal with GFL; recycling fees to rise as commodity costs increase
Summary
The Village Board approved a five‑year contract renewal with GFL for refuse, recycling and yard‑waste collection. Trash pricing will remain tied to CPI; recycling costs include a new $40/ton processing charge and likely future adjustments to the village recycling enterprise fee.
The Village of Brown Deer approved a five‑year contract renewal with GFL (Green For Life) for residential refuse, recycling and yard‑waste collection that takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
During the meeting Public Works and GFL representatives said curbside trash rates will remain stable under the contract but recycling costs rose because of commodity‑market changes. Jason Strino, Midwest director for GFL, told the board recycling commodity risk and processing costs drove the change: “the cargo in the single stream … that's a commodity base. So we take a lot of risk on that, and that's where that increase came from.” He said a material processing charge will apply and that recycling disposal moved from $0 per ton to $40 per ton in the contract language.
The unit price for trash and recycling will be indexed to the Consumer Price Index; staff said the first contract increase would be applied in 2027. Matthew from Public Works said refuse collection remains funded from the village general fund (property taxes), while recycling is funded through a recycling enterprise fund supplemented by about $45,000 in state support and an $80 annual recycling fee charged per household.
GFL representatives said bulk pickup language in the addendum remains generous and that bulky items remain included within normal service, with staff proposing a practical limit for collections such as two items per household for curbside bulk. Jason said the company kept most other service terms the same and will maintain responsiveness for special events.
Board members asked operational questions about yard‑waste handling and whether that material is separated at landfills; GFL said yard waste is delivered to transfer stations and chipped or ground in a distinct area and not mixed directly with municipal solid waste. Trustees acknowledged the village’s recycling fund has been drawing down and signaled the $80 household charge and the recycling enterprise will be on the 2026 budget agenda for possible adjustment.
Trustee Thompson moved and Trustee Owens seconded the contract renewal; the board voted to approve the agreement in open session.
