Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) Transition
The Village’s residential waste and recycling contract with Waste Management (WM) is set to expire at the end of May 2024. Waste Management issued a statement that a contract renewal would include significantly higher rates and no fall leaf vac program. As the Village tries to keep rates down for residents, the Village issued a request for proposal to ensure residents receive the lowest rates and comparable services. With three proposals, the Village Board unanimously approved the contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) as it provided the lowest rates for residents, reliable services including fall leaf vacuum service, and enhanced environmental sustainability. This will be for residential only and those who do not directly pay an HOA for service. Further communication from LRS and the Village will follow in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition. LRS will begin servicing the Village of Gurnee's residents (waste, recycling and yard waste) beginning the week of Monday, June 3rd.
LRS CART PORTAL: Only required if you need different cart sizes than what you currently have or extra carts, please visit https://form.jotform.com/240945382842159 by Wednesday, May 1st.
What’s Happening | Dates | Resident Role |
| New LRS Cart Delivery | May 20 | Be ready to accept the new carts and store until first week of pick up beginning, Monday June 3rd. The contractor will be delivering carts on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th. |
| Last Week of Waste Management Service and Cart Removal | May 28 through | Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 27th. Therefore, the last week of Waste Management pick up begins on Tuesday, May 28th. LEAVE your WASTE MANAGEMENT carts empty at the curb. A contractor will pick up your Waste Management cart. Failure to have your cart empty may result in service issues. |
| First Week of LRS Service | June 3 | Have your Lakeshore Recycling Systems cart ready for first use of weekly collection. |
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Transition
Why is the Village changing my garbage and recycling hauler?
The Village of Gurnee currently has a residential waste and recycling franchise agreement with Waste Management (WM) that is set to expire at the end of May 2024. Waste Management issued a statement that a contract renewal would include significantly higher rates such as an increase in excess of 30% and with no fall leaf vacuum service.
As the Village tries to keep rates down for residents and provide desired services, the Village issued a request for proposal to ensure residents receive the lowest rates and comparable services. With the Village receiving three proposals, the Village Board unanimously approved the contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) as it provided the lowest rates for residents, reliable services including fall leaf vacuum service, and enhanced environmental sustainability. LRS will begin servicing the Village beginning on Monday June 3, 2024.
Do I have to participate in the Village franchise hauling agreement?
Under Gurnee Municipal Code Sec. 62-4 (b), every resident must participate in Village’s exclusive residential franchise hauling agreement which is the waste and recycling service contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems.
This ordinance was voted on into law by the Village Board of Trustees. As it is very standard for cities and villages in the United States to have exclusive franchise waste hauling agreements:
Cost Efficiency: The negotiation of rates and terms between the Village and the waste hauling company provides more favorable prices for the residents.
Infrastructure Management: Franchise agreements often involve provisions for the maintenance and management of waste collection infrastructure, such as bins and dumpsters, which helps keep the city clean and functional.
Public Health and Safety: By having one or few waste hauling companies operating within the Village, the Village can better ensure that proper waste disposal practices and standards are followed, minimizing the risk of public health hazards and environmental pollution.
When will Lakeshore Recycling Systems begin servicing the Village?
Lakeshore Recycling Systems will begin servicing the Village of Gurnee beginning on Monday, June 3rd.
How will this change impact my bill?
On an annual basis, residents who select a 35 gallon waste cart will see a $115 increase, 65 gallon cart will see a $90 increase and 95 gallon cart will see a $75 increase. Most homes under the contract have 95 gallon carts having a 95 gallon cart, therefore the overwhelming majority of residents will incur the lowest annual increase.
View the LRS Contract Pricing: Lakeshore Recycling Systems Exhibit A Contract Pricing
Bill Description and Autopayment Signup
Why is my bill increasing?
Unfortunately, residents will see a rate increase as a result of a longstanding relationship with Waste Management (30+ years) that started with very favorable rates and low annual escalators. For example, the most recent contract limited annual adjustments to 2.5%. During that same time, the average annual CPI/inflation was nearly double that.
The Village Board voted on and chose the lowest of the only three bids received.
View the LRS Contract here: Lakeshore Recycling Systems Residential Contract 2024 - 2029
How will billing work for this transition?
You paid your Waste Management through the end of May. So you’re first bill from LRS will arrive in mid-May, which will be for services provided for June 2024, July 2024 and August 2024. The bill will be due by May 31st, and residents who do not provide payment by that time will incur a late fee.
You may elect to enroll in auto-payment and/or paperless billing by signing up at: https://payment.lrsrecycles.com/portal/templanding.
Will my garbage/service day remain the same?
Very minimal route changes/service day changes were made to optimize pick up. It’s likely that your service day will remain the same. However, please read your mailing that will be delivered or view the new service day map below.
How will the landscape waste collection subscription/sticker program work throughout this transition?
Residents who have yard waste stickers will have to use all their Waste Management stickers by May 31st.
Residents who already paid Waste Management for the yard waste subscription were charged a prorated rate.
Lakeshore Recycling Systems will issue new stickers to retailers prior to the June 1st contract start date and will give residents the option to purchase a landscape waste subscription.
Stickers can be found at the following retailers and purchased for $2.95/sticker.
Ace 4806 Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL
Jewel 6509 Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL
Mariano's Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL
Menards Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL
When is cart delivery of the new Lakeshore Recycling Systems carts taking place and when can I expect my old Waste Management carts to be removed?
LRS will begin delivering carts on May 20th. The delivery period will last until around May 25th. Please note that different style/size carts arrive at different times on different days. Meaning if you requested a larger trash cart than your neighbor, one may have the requested cart before the other, however all residents will have a trash and recycling cart prior to the start of services on Monday, June 3rd.
Waste Management will have special crews removing their equipment starting, Tuesday, May 28th and completing June 1st. Waste Management carts will be removed after the service day which they are emptied. Please leave your cart at the curb WASTE FREE after your service day for the week beginning Tuesday, May 28th. If your cart is NOT waste free, it will not be picked up and this may result in service issues.
What if I am not in town during the cart delivery period?
Lakeshore Recycling Systems will still deliver you a set carts (1 for waste and 1 for recycling) as we recommend asking a neighbor, relative or friend to help bring the carts up from the curb closer to your home.
What is some general information regarding the change in service?
• Cart Distribution: Each residence will receive one LRS garbage cart and one LRS recycling cart. Residents who have a yard waste subscription will also receive a LRS yard waste cart.
• Cart Delivery: Expect delivery of your new LRS carts between May 20th and May 27th.
• Enrollment for Different Cart Sizes: If you need different cart sizes than what you currently have or extra carts, sign up by May 1st at https://form.jotform.com/240945382842159.
• Weekly Collection: LRS will empty garbage and recycling carts once a week on your service day.
• Route/Service Day Changes: Minimal changes were made to optimize pick-up with only about 12% of service days changing. You will receive notice of your service day in the mail shortly or you can see the above for the new service day map.
• Yard Waste Stickers: New LRS yard waste stickers will be required after June 1st as Waste Management stickers will not be accepted.
• Billing: Your first bill from LRS, covering June, July, and August services, will arrive in mid-May. Billing will be quarterly in advance of services rendered.
• Transition from Waste Management: Waste Management will only empty their carts during the final week of service beginning Tuesday, May 28th. Do NOT put out new LRS carts during this week as they will not be serviced.
• Leave Waste Management Carts Empty: After Waste Management's final collection, leave their carts completely EMPTY at the curb until removal to avoid service issues.
What do I do if my cart does not get delivered?
Although cart deliveries in the village will begin on May 20th not all homes will receive 1, 2 or more carts requested on the same day or at the same time. Different trucks will have certain sizes and styles on them. All homes should have a trash container by the first day of service June 1st.
If you do not have your new cart by June 1st, you should call Lakeshore Recycling Systems at 844-633-3577 or email at Service@LRSrecycles.com. DO NOT take your neighbors carts, each cart is associated with a specific residence and the taking of another’s cart may cause significant billing issues.
I received the wrong size waste / recycling cart. How can I get the correct sizes?
If you registered for a particular cart by calling LRS, or registering on the company’s portal on its website, and still received the wrong sized cart, we will be happy to let our team know by adding your address and preferred sizes to our exchange list.
Immediately after the deliveries to every address have been completed, LRS will begin fulfilling exchange requests done curbside, including any due to error on our behalf.
Please leave your carts at the curb until exchanged. Exchanges and deliveries will not be taking place anywhere besides the curb of the home and exchanges may take up to 2 weeks to complete during this time. We appreciate all understanding.
How will the switch in waste haulers affect commercial or multi-family residential properties?
All commercial properties as well as specific multi-family homeowner associations that have a separate homeowner’s association contract or account will remain part of the Commercial Waste Hauling Agreement with Waste Management.
What if I want a different size cart or additional one after the May/June deliveries are complete?
Before May 1st, please visit the cart portal here to select and confirm your cart size. If you have not selected a particular cart size by contacting LRS prior to enrollment deadline of May 1st, you will automatically receive your previous Waste Management selection or a 95 gallon waste cart and a 64 gallon recycling cart. If you decide that you’d like to exchange your cart(s) for a different size, you may do so by contacting LRS at 844-633-3577 or email at Service@LRSrecycles.com. We do request you leave your carts you are wishing to exchange curbside until the exchange takes place.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Service
What types of waste will the new hauler collect?
Lakeshore Recycling Systems will take everything that Waste Management picked up. With the additional of white good service, Lakeshore Recycling Systems will take items such as dryer, washing machines, freezers and fridges for a service charge.
Are there any changes to the recycling program?
No, there are no changes to the recycling program at this time. Lakeshore Recycling Systems recommends that residents follow the long-standing recycling guidelines here: www.gurnee.il.us/residents/recycling. This includes NOT bagging recyclables.
Are there any new guidelines or regulations for waste disposal under the new hauler?
The only change will be that residents who enroll in the subscription yard waste program will be delivered and must utilize a 95 gallon yard waste cart. This will identify the residence as being part of the yard waste subscription program and they may place out additional bags without stickers if needed.
How will billing work?
Residents will be billed on a 3 month basis (quarterly) in advance of services.
What holidays does LRS observe?
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Labor Day
*Services will be delayed by one if these holidays falls Sunday through Friday. If the holiday falls on a Saturday, your service day will not be delayed.
How do we report missed collections or other service issues to the new waste hauler?
Once again, please contact Lakeshore Recycling Systems at 844-633-3577 or email at Service@LRSrecycles.com. Their customer experience team is available Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays from 7 AM to 12 PM.
Will there be any changes to the process for scheduling special pickups or disposing of large items?
Lakeshore Recycling Systems will take appliances for an additional charge. Most appliances require special handling as they may contain harmful chemicals. All appliances/white goods must be prescheduled and prepaid to LRS by calling 844-633-3577 or emailing customer service at Service@LRSrecycles.com.
Appliances include: Air Conditioner, Clothes Dryer, Cook Top & Cooking Plate, Drying Cabinet, Cooker or Bakers Oven, Dishwasher, Freezer, Kitchen Stove or Oven Range, Microwave Oven, Refrigerator or Refrigeration Equipment, Washing Machine, and Water Heaters.
How will the landscape waste collection program work?
Yard waste season is April 1st through November 30th. LRS offers two options for Gurnee residents to dispose of yard waste: a sticker program and subscription service. Residents who enroll in a subscription will pay an annual subscription fee of $140 per season (2024) and be delivered a 95g cart for yard waste. Residents not on the subscription program will be required to purchase an LRS sticker for every yard waste bag or personal container.
Additionally, LRS will provide the two weeks of free unlimited containerized waste collection during the first two weeks of April.
Will LRS take bulk items?
As with Waste Management, LRS will collect one (1) bulk item per week for no charge. Items are to be placed alongside your LRS cart and include items such as a table, chair, mattress, bed frame, box spring, fixture, toy, and sofa and wall pictures.
Mattresses and Box Springs are requested to be secured in a plastic mattress cover for health and safety reasons. Mattress covers are available at hardware stores and other retail outlets.