Recent Garbage Service Updates
1/10/2025
In October 2024, the Village of Mt. Zion extended their exclusive franchise agreement with Waste Management to provide residential refuse, recycling and yard waste removal services for 2 additional years. Like any service, this extension included a rate increase for each year. The new rates were listed in the “Important Village News” section at the bottom of the water/sewer bills that were delivered in December 12/2024. The 2025 rate for garbage, recycling, and yard waste is $28.65 per month. This rate includes one 95-gallon refuse cart and one 65-gallon recycling cart. Additional carts are available for residents to rent for $3.50/month. Please contact Waste Management at 1-800-796-9696 if you would like to request additional carts.
During the negotiations for this contract extension, staff researched other local communities’ rates. We found that the rate we negotiated was slightly less than what surrounding communities are paying for similar services. While we understand any type of rate increase is unwelcome, garbage service prices have not only increased locally, but also nationally.
It has been brought to the Village’s attention that there has been some confusion on the length of the billing cycle. Waste Management will continue to bill residents quarterly, as they have in the past. Upon inspection of the latest invoice, in the recycling details of service section, the service period was from 1/12025 – 2/28/2025. This section also shows a $0 charge for the service. Directly underneath that service section is the refuse service section. The service period for that depicts the correct dates – 1/1/2025 – 3/31/2025. Residents will also notice the amount charged in that section is for the total 3-month period: $85.95 ($28.65/month X 3 = $85.95). This rate is the base rate, if you rent additional carts or have additional services, that amount could be higher. Staff has contacted Waste Management regarding this confusion and requested it be corrected for future billings. Please click HERE for an example of the bill highlighting the service period confusion.
If you have any questions, please refer to the Sanitation & Recycling page on our website, or click HERE. On this page, you can find answers to FAQs and other pertinent information, including the monthly rate for 2026. If you cannot find your answer on this page, please contact Village Hall at 217-864-5424 to ensure you are given accurate information.