Chardon Secures $2 Monthly Savings, Fixed Trash Rates | The Locally Times
City's new five-year contract with local Dumpster Bandit LLC cuts monthly bills from $20.01 to $18.01, ensuring predictable costs for residents.
Chardon residents are poised for a welcome relief in their household budgets, with monthly trash and recycling bills set to drop by $2 starting in June 2026. This reduction, bringing the cost down from $20.01 to $18.01, is a direct result of the city's new five-year contract with local waste hauler Dumpster Bandit LLC, promising both immediate savings and predictable rates for the foreseeable future. The City of Chardon selected Dumpster Bandit LLC, a locally owned Geauga County company, following a competitive bidding process. The hauler emerged as the lowest bidder, offering both cost reductions and rate stability for residents, according to details released by the City. The official transition and full details are scheduled to be announced on June 2, 2026. ## New Rates and Contract Stability Under the new agreement, residents subscribing to both trash and recycling services will pay $18.01 per month. This represents a $2 reduction from the previous monthly rate of $20.01. For residents opting for trash-only service, the monthly cost will be $13.92. Unlike the previous service, customers choosing not to receive recycling services will not incur charges for that service, as outlined by the City. This $18.01 monthly rate will remain fixed for the entire five-year initial term of the contract, offering residents significant predictability for household budgeting. The competitive bidding process saw strong participation and close pricing proposals, city records indicate. However, these records do not specify the name of the previous waste hauler or further details of the bidding process beyond the participation and pricing proposals. ## Service Transition and Logistics The transition to Dumpster Bandit LLC service is scheduled to begin in June 2026, with the first pick-up set for June 2, 2026. Residents will receive new trash and recycling bins in advance. Trash bins are scheduled for delivery during the week of May 18, 2026, and recycling bins during the week of May 25, 2026, according to information from the City. To ensure uninterrupted service, Dumpster Bandit LLC will continue to empty existing Waste Management bins for the first few weeks if they are not collected promptly. Bi-weekly recycling collection will follow the same schedule, zone splits, and collection cycles currently in use. ## Additional Services and Billing Information The new contract includes several additional services for Chardon residents. Bag service will be available for purchase at Dumpster Bandit's office, located at 12488 GAR Hwy in Chardon. Existing senior discounts will automatically transfer to the new service, and new applicants for senior discounts should apply through the City. Customers with existing disability carryout service will be automatically enrolled, while new requests for carryout service should be made directly to Dumpster Bandit LLC. The company will also offer free sharps disposal on Mondays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at its Chardon office, the City confirmed. A Fall Trash Day is planned for a Saturday date yet to be chosen in 2026. Christmas tree disposal will continue as a drop-off service in January at the Service Center, consistent with previous years. Residents will receive a paper mailer with account setup instructions. Paper bills will be sent by default until residents set up their accounts and change their preferences. Vacation suspensions can be requested by phone or email. The specific process for vacation suspensions beyond phone or email is not detailed in the available records. ## Key Questions **How much will my monthly trash bill be?** Your monthly cost for trash and recycling services will be $18.01, a decrease of $2 from the current rate. If you choose trash-only service, the cost will be $13.92 per month. **When does the new service begin?** New service with Dumpster Bandit LLC is scheduled to begin in June 2026, with the first pick-up set for June 2, 2026. New trash bins are scheduled for delivery the week of May 18, 2026, and recycling bins the week of May 25, 2026. **Will my rates change over time?** The $18.01 monthly rate for trash and recycling services will remain fixed for the entire five-year initial term of the contract.