The City of Portage is exploring a transition to a single-hauler waste collection system in an effort to streamline garbage, yard waste, and recycling services for residents. In January 2025, the City Council amended the City Code of Ordinances to allow for an exclusive provider to handle the collection and processing of solid waste, bulk items, yard waste, and recyclables.
This decision reflects long-standing City Council goals to deliver waste services that are more cost-effective, efficient, transparent, and less damaging to public infrastructure. Following a comprehensive analysis and a competitive bidding process, city officials are recommending the selection of a single provider to enhance public safety, lower costs, and simplify waste collection for all Portage households.
Currently, three different garbage companies operate throughout Portage. This patchwork approach results in overlapping routes, variable pricing from household to household, heavy truck traffic on neighborhood streets, traffic congestion, safety hazards, and a larger environmental footprint. A single-hauler system would consolidate trash and recycling services under one provider using an optimized citywide route to reduce heavy truck traffic, improves efficiency, reduces emissions, and increases accountability.
With one provider, the city can establish performance standards to ensure reliable service, timely pickups, consistent billing, and responsive customer support. Fewer garbage trucks traveling through neighborhoods will also reduce traffic congestion and minimize the risk of accidents, making streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, and children.
One of the most significant advantages of a single-hauler system is cost efficiency. By consolidating services and negotiating bulk pricing, the city estimates that Portage households will save an average of 44% on waste collection services. To ensure residents receive the best service at the lowest cost, the City of Portage invited all licensed waste haulers to submit competitive bids to serve the entire city. The low bid came in at $14.04 per month for garbage service, an average savings of 44%.
Residents currently pay anywhere between $14.50 and over $50 per month for garbage service, depending on their provider and plan. With a single hauler, every household will pay the same low rate for the same quality service. Billing will also become more transparent. Instead of navigating contracts and varying rates from multiple companies, all residents will receive consistent, predictable billing directly from the selected hauler. Importantly, these costs will not be added to property taxes; households will be billed directly by the waste provider.
While some concerns have been raised about reduced competition, city officials emphasize that the move is not about eliminating choice, but rather about improving service through a more strategic, city-wide approach. All qualified haulers were invited to submit their most competitive bids. This process ensures transparency and fair competition while delivering the best value and service to Portage residents.