Portage Residents Face Choice on Trash Hauler as Single-Hauler Ordinance Goes to May Ballot

Single-Hauler Ordinance Creates Debate Over Choice and Cost

PORTAGE, Mich. — Portage residents are heading to the polls on May 5 to decide their future trash service. The ballot initiative would give residents a choice between keeping Waste Management as the city's single trash hauler or selecting their own provider.

The measure comes just two months after the City of Portage and Waste Management signed a five-year contract. The agreement makes Waste Management the exclusive trash hauler for all residents.

The single-hauler arrangement has cut out Best Way Disposal, a Kalamazoo-based trash service that previously competed in the city. The petition to put the issue on the ballot, called Take Back the Trash, currently has about 680 signatures. Petition organizers need 4,000 signatures to appear on the May ballot.

By having a one hauler that the city has contracted with, that gives us a little more teeth in what the communication is between that hauler, what they're doing," Portage's Director of Public Works Jereme Rowland said. "If there are issues, we have a direct contact with them that we can try to address any issues. Before, it was everybody for themselves."

The city says the contract saves residents money. Waste Management proposed a trash pickup rate of $14.04 per month, which would cost Portage residents a total of $29,431,000 over the five-year contract.

Best Way's proposal would have cost $17.12 per month, totaling $38,243,048 over the same period. Republic Services rang in at $14.95 per month, a total of $34,464,940 over the life of the contract.

City employees surveyed currently pay an average of $25.91 per month for trash pickup.

We're just super excited to be in the City of Portage and providing that excellent service, and at the end of the day, we are just here to build a great relationship with the residents and the community," Dave Wainscott, of Waste Management, said.

The contract will go into effect in July 2025. The city council voted unanimously to select Waste Management after reviewing proposals from four companies, including Best Way Disposal, Waste Management, and Republic Services.

Single-hauler is done elsewhere, but we are a proponent of open markets and we always push for open markets," Chris Phillips, a manager at Best Way and a member of the Take Back the Trash petition committee, said.

Phillips argues that the petition is not asking for a different company. Instead, residents want the ability to choose their own provider if they are not satisfied with Waste Management.

People get to pick their provider," Phillips said. "It keeps competition on the market, keeps service levels high. Competition creates new services, brings new items forward. When you're in a contract where's there just the services that's in black and white, that's all you got."

The city says the single-hauler approach brings benefits. The contract reduces trash vehicles on city streets and uses quieter vehicles. The city claims residents are saving 44% more compared to previous rates.

When you put out a one size fits all contract, it doesn't fit everyone," Phillips said.

The petition is collecting signatures at several locations. Best Way is hosting signature collection at its 2314 Miller Road office and 2606 Miller Road transfer station. Azo Services at 5300 E. ML Ave. and KGOP at 5250 Lovers Lane are also collecting signatures.

City Manager Pat McGinnis said the bidding process was transparent and fair. Companies submitted sealed offers, and the city selected the least expensive option.

The purpose of the bidding process is very much rooted in fairness and transparency," McGinnis said.

The city says the single-hauler approach reduces wear and tear on streets and makes roads safer. Waste Management has been responsive to the city and is hiring to meet staffing demands.

The contract includes several services. Waste Management will offer side door pickup, same-day missed collection service, and weekly bulk item pickup.

Come March, it's going to be an extremely effective service," McGinnis said.

The ballot measure on May 5 would allow residents to vote whether to keep the single-hauler arrangement or restore the ability to choose their own trash provider.

Last I knew, we lived in the United States of America, the greatest country in the world," Mark Blentlinger, a Portage resident, said during a July 22 meeting. "We have a choice."

City officials say garbage removal is a public health matter that the city has a responsibility to provide. But petitioners argue that mandating a single company eliminates competition and residents' right to choose.

The Take Back the Trash petition currently has 17% of the 4,000 signatures needed. If organizers can reach the threshold, the issue will appear on the May 6, 2026 ballot.