Portage City Council approves controversial trash contract with Waste Management

PORTAGE, Mich. — In a heated and deeply divided meeting, the Portage City Council voted to approve a $29 million, five-year contract with Waste Management (WM) to provide sole trash and recycling services to residents citywide beginning in March of 2026.

The decision to move forward with a single-hauler system followed several hours of public comment, during which dozens of residents lined up to express opposition to the plan, citing concerns about losing choice, potential job losses, and dissatisfaction with WM’s reputation in the region. While a handful of speakers supported the proposed change, the overwhelming majority urged council members to reject the deal or put it to a public vote.

“We saw every post, every call,” said Assistant City Manager Justin Williams, referencing the volume of public input. “But we also saw significant disparities in what people are paying.”

City leaders framed the move as an equitable, cost-saving and a safety-driven measure. According to the city’s financial advisor, Portage residents currently rely on three different waste haulers, paying a wide range of prices for the same services. The city says consolidating service under one provider will save taxpayers an estimated $2 million annually, reduce road damage from multiple garbage trucks, and streamline accountability if problems arise.

A city analysis showed WM submitted the lowest bid, beating Best Way Disposal and Republic Services by $8 million and $5 million. WM’s proposal includes weekly curbside trash pickup, recycling, and one bulk item per week at no additional charge, along with optional discounted yard waste services. Residents will be billed directly by WM on a quarterly basis.

A WM representative told the council that the company will create a Portage-specific webpage for customer support and service updates. He also noted that WM has hired displaced drivers in other cities who moved toward the single-hauler system.

Several speakers identified themselves as employees or owners of Best Way Disposal, which currently serves more than 70% of Portage residents. They expressed frustration that their company lost the bid and warned of lost local jobs.

“I am a fourth-generation worker of my family’s business. Every owner lives here,” said one Best Way employee.

“We had no option but to submit a bid or lose 11,000 customers,” another added.

“You’re signing a $29 million contract with our money,” one resident said.

According to previous city survey data cited during the meeting, 88% of residents reported satisfaction with their current trash provider, and 54% opposed the concept of a city-mandated single-hauler system.

While city officials emphasized their financial motivation behind the move, the crowd spoke out numerous times during the hours-long meeting. Councilmembers repeatedly called for respect and decorum, and at one point mentioned the possibility of having people removed if they continued.

Chants of “Our trash, our choice!” broke out at one point as many residents stood to leave the meeting. Many stated that they felt the council’s decision had already been made, questioned the accuracy of the data presented, and argued that the council was ignoring the will of the people and failing to be transparent about the process.

“If Best Way had won the bid, you wouldn’t be in this room,” Mayor Patricia Randall said in frustration to the crowd’s interruptions.

“We do listen to you, but it doesn’t mean we agree with you,” Councilmember Urban said. “What I see this as is collective bargaining.”

Despite the opposition, the council approved the WM contract in a 5-0 vote, with Councilmember Terry Urban initially motioning to table the vote, a motion that was not seconded, but ultimately voting in favor with the rest of the council, while Councilmember Chris Burns recused himself from the whole conversation.

Councilmembers added amendments to the contract based on some verbiage concerns, including language clarifying pro-rated pricing for new residents, holiday schedules, and restrictions on bulk item disposal, such as tires.

The city emphasized that while every resident wanting trash service will have to sign up with WM, Portage’s ordinance does not restrict those who choose to haul their own trash to a transfer station. However, contracting with another hauler will not be allowed.

“Know that you have been heard. We will be watching the quality of service,” Mayor Randall said after the vote.

The contract is expected to involve a nearly year-long transition period, including the exchange of bins, with the single trash hauler system under WM to launch on March 1, 2026.

Among other municipalities with single-hauler systems currently in place in West Michigan, include: South Haven, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo Township, Saugatuck, and Battle Creek.

The City of Kalamazoo does not offer a household trash service, residents must arrange it individually, according to the city’s website.