Before the end of the year, Bloomington residents could be looking at an increased price for their trash pickup by the city’s sanitation division.

The idea is not just to cover the increased costs for the service. The eventual goal could be to eliminate any general fund support for trash and recycling collection, by making the service pay for itself with fees.
Curbside trash and recycling pickup is a city service that’s now provided just to residences with four or fewer dwelling units, which includes single-family houses.
There is enough money in the recently adopted 2023 budget to continue the general fund support of curbside trash and recycling pickup.
But Bloomington mayor John Hamilton’s administration, and at least some councilmembers, want to reduce that support eventually to zero. That’s why sometime before the end of the year, the city council will likely be asked to approve a trash cart rate increase.
To cue up the conversation about trash cart rates, it is important to understand the current monthly rate structure for the three sizes of carts. Continue reading “Column: Hey, buddy, let’s talk trash bin math”