Dive Brief:

• The Springfield, IL City Council plans to approve new rules that would restrict waste haulers from imposing new fees regarding trash and recycling bins, truck washing, and fuel charges without approval by the city. Any unapproved fees must be agreed to in writing by individual household customers under the ordinance co-sponsored by all 10 aldermen.
• The move is in response to Republic Services, one of the city's four haulers, adding a $3 quarterly fee. 
• Current rules state that a new fee must be related to additional services. Alderman Jim Donelan said the new ordinance will "make it extremely clear" that the fees can’t be added to bills at will.

Dive Insight:

Fee increases for trash pickup often becomes contentious among residents. North of Springfield in Chicago, residents are likely to see a new garbage-collection fee as the city tries to solve a $30 billion pension crisis. In Parma, OH, residents are protesting a $12 monthly garbage fee as "unfair."

Of course, no one wants to pay more than they already are paying for trash pickup. However, opposition from residents is not unwarranted if a fee is placed "out of the blue." In Springfield, city officials believed the rule was clear to waste haulers, however the the new ordinance will explicitly state how fee increases will be allowed — and that is good for the city, waste haulers, and residents.