North Aurora approves five-year waste contract with Groot; shifts to tote-only collection

The North Aurora Village Board voted March 2 to approve a five-year contract with Groot for residential refuse, recycling and yard-waste collection that moves the village from a sticker-based program to a tote-only system.

Steve, a village staff member, told the board the biggest operational change is the transition to provided totes as the standard collection method. Under the contract Groot will provide a 95-gallon tote as the standard service; residents who prefer less capacity may select a 65-gallon tote, and a 35-gallon option will be available for seniors. "You're going to have a 95-gallon tote. If you don't want a 95-gallon tote, you have the option of a 65. And if you're a senior, you have the option of a 35-gallon tote," Steve said.

Staff walked the board through pricing comparisons the contract projects across five years and said the first four years would generally be lower than current pricing with a modest increase in year five. The board heard examples of rates for tote-service and the proposed yard-waste sticker pricing dropping from the current $4.60 to $2.75 in year one (with increases in later years). Steve said 60% of households currently rent totes and the village expects Groot to increase total rental capacity from about 20% to 60% during the transition outreach.

The contract also changes bulk-item and white-good policies. Groot will allow one free bulk item at the curb per household each week (52 free bulk pickups annually) rather than a single annual amnesty day. For very large or heavy items that cannot be handled safely by one worker, Groot may require a special pickup at a cost not to exceed $25 per cubic yard. White-goods pickup (appliances) currently charges five stickers (about $23) and under the contract Steve said the first-year commercial collection fee will be about $45 and rise to roughly $53 by year five as third-party disposal costs are passed through.

Yard-waste pickup will be extended: the village’s curb leaf vacuum will continue through late November, and Groot will extend a bag-leaf program two weeks into December (through Dec. 15) to accommodate later leaf drop. Staff said Groot will offer season-long rental of a yard-waste tote and will set season pricing with the hauler.

Steve described transition logistics: Groot will contact households that do not currently have a tote to coordinate sizes and deliveries, which staff expect in May ahead of a June 1 contract start. The village also plans a limited sticker buyback in June so residents who purchased $4.60 stickers can receive reimbursement and switch to the new pricing.

On a roll-call vote the board approved the contract; Trustees Christensen, Curtis, Gaitley, Lowry, Nedge and Salazar voted yes.