Government Fleet Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Chicago Saving $7M By Reducing Refuse Fleet

The City of Chicago plans to eliminate 18 garbage trucks in a fleet reduction plan expected to increase waste-collection efficiency and save the city $7 million.

by Staff
September 9, 2015
Chicago Saving $7M By Reducing Refuse Fleet

Photo: Arvell Dorsey Jr. / Flickr

1 min to read


Photo: Arvell Dorsey Jr. / Flickr

The City of Chicago plans to eliminate 18 garbage trucks in a fleet reduction plan expected to increase waste-collection efficiency and save the city $7 million, according to Waste Dive.

The reduction follows an audit conducted by Inspector General Joe Ferguson that found there was not enough work to be done for the amount of trucks deployed each day. The fleet's vehicle count would fall to 292 from 301.

Ad Loading...

City sanitation workers were finishing their routes in three hours but being allotted five, resulting in two hours of excess spending for the city.

This reduction comes on the heels of a recent shift from a ward-to-ward waste collection system within the city over to a grid system that resulted in $28 million in operating cost reductions that were redirected to other Department of Streets and Sanitation services by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Mayor Emanuel also plans to impose a garbage collection fee on Chicago residents that, if passed, would cost homeowners up to $12 a month.

More Operations

City of Madison, Wisconsin seal overlaid on an image of electric vehicles parked and charging in a row.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseApril 23, 2026

Rachel Darken Named Fleet Service Superintendent

Madison names Rachel Darken as fleet service superintendent, citing her leadership in fleet optimization, electrification efforts, and workforce development initiatives.

Read More →
a government fleet graphic showing the 2026 fleet manager of the year finalists.
OperationsApril 21, 2026

Meet the 2026 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Finalists

Recognizing excellence in public fleet leadership is no small task. Learn more about this year’s three outstanding finalists, and join us at GFX in Long Beach to see who takes home the honor.

Read More →
Graphic showing Sewell Family of Companies logo and Oklahoma state seal over a background of parked vehicles, representing a statewide fleet contract agreement.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseApril 14, 2026

Oklahoma Statewide Fleet Vehicle Contract Multi-Year Agreement to Supply Fleet Vehicles to State Agencies and Municipalities

The Sewell Family of Companies has been awarded a statewide contract to supply fleet vehicles and services to government agencies across Oklahoma through 2032.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A collage with voting, the government fleet logo and the words cheat sheet.
OperationsApril 10, 2026

Costs, AI, EVs, and Sales in Government Fleet | GovCast Shorts

On the go and want a snapshot of our top industry news? Check out Government Fleet's new video short of what's been happening.

Read More →
A man holding a phone in a truck.
Operationsby Rachael PlantApril 10, 2026

A Practical Approach to Fleet Cost Analysis in Government Operations 

Government fleets face a distinct set of challenges that make cost analysis both more difficult and more critical.

Read More →
 a wall with the words fleet hall of fame
OperationsApril 3, 2026

Vote Now for the Public Fleet Hall of Fame

Fleet professionals can now vote for the 2026 inductees of the Public Fleet Hall of Fame. Anyone affiliated with the public fleet industry, including fleet professionals, fleet technicians, or other staff members, and suppliers, can vote.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
executive editor with images of community and networking.
OperationsApril 1, 2026

Finding Your People | The Fleet Breakroom

Why the fleet community matters, how it helps with education and support, and why asking questions can save you more trouble than you think.

Read More →
the dispatch text with images of vehicles, women in fleet, and ev charging.
OperationsMarch 30, 2026

Women in Fleet, Salary Trends, AI, and More| The March Dispatch

In this monthly lookback, we’re talking about Women’s History Month coverage, the latest Government Fleet salary data, how fleet leaders are dealing with nonstop change, and more.

Read More →
freightliner whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 26, 2026

Safety by Design: Power and Protection in the Freightliner 114SD Plus

Safety and productivity go hand-in-hand on today’s vocational jobsites. The Freightliner 114SD Plus combines advanced driver-assist technologies with proven reliability to keep crews moving constantly from start to finish. Learn how safety by design can protect your team, reduce risk, and maximize uptime.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Isuzu commercial box truck driving in an urban area, representing a new body program with Aebi Schmidt that provides preconfigured, work-ready trucks for fleet customers.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMarch 24, 2026

Isuzu Launches New Premium Body Program with Aebi Schmidt called Advantic

Isuzu and Aebi Schmidt launched a new body program that offers dealers preconfigured, work-ready trucks to streamline upfitting and reduce delivery times.

Read More →