Shorewood directs staff to negotiate recycling contract with Waste Management; curbside organics proposal fails

The Shorewood City Council directed staff on July 28 to negotiate a curbside recycling contract with Waste Management after staff identified WM as the lowest-cost proposer with positive references and sustainability commitments.

Communications and Recycling Coordinator Wilson told the Council the city received four proposals and recommended single-sort recycling with Waste Management because "their proposed costs were the lowest, their references were positive, liked their education and outreach that was presented, and also their proposed sustainability measures." Councilmembers discussed pricing escalations and local service options, noting Suburban Waste's municipal inexperience but favorable local service reputation.

After passing the recycling negotiation motion, the Council debated whether to start a curbside organics program. DiGruttolo moved and Labadie seconded to "Direct Staff to Develop a Schedule and Process to Implement a Curbside Organics Collection Program." Councilmembers raised concerns about charging all households for a service not all would use, the cost per user, added truck routes, contamination at drop-off sites, and unclear timing of state requirements. Communications and Recycling Coordinator Wilson noted that in the city's current drop-off program 163 households are signed up and that statewide rules (MPCA) are steering larger cities toward curbside organics in future planning.

The organics motion failed 2–3 (DiGruttolo and Labadie — aye; Gorham, Maddy and Sanschagrin — nay). The Council asked staff to return with additional analysis including cost-benefit data, participation estimates, contamination risk, and timing of MPCA requirements before reconsidering curbside organics.

Votes at a glance: the motion to negotiate a curbside recycling contract with Waste Management was passed; the motion to develop a curbside organics program was rejected 2–3.