The city of Chicago on Monday begins a new era in trash collection.
The new grid garbage collection system allows trash collectors to bypass ward boundaries and instead use systematic collection routes. That means workers will use natural boundaries and main streets on their morning trash route.
City officials say the move will save the city millions in taxpayer money. Mayor Rahm Emanuel believes the trash overhaul is the right move.
"Every decision we make must work for the taxpayers," Emanuel said in a statement. "With the grid system we are choosing efficiency over politics. We look forward to rolling out the grid system in Chicago and will continue to look for more ways to find efficiencies in our operations."
The city is phasing in the new grid garbage collection system starting Monday on the city's North Side.
“We’ve been working hard to ensure our plans will continue to provide residents with the same level of refuse collection service or better, while saving significant resources,” said Streets & San Commissioner Thomas Byrne. “We are eager to implement this new system on the north side and look forward to building on its success as we roll out across the city.”
