Dive Brief:

• The Louisville City Council in Colorado voted to extend the town’s waste contract with Western Disposal Services, going directly against recommendations given by the city’s public works department.
• The two companies vying for the five-year contract were Republic Services and Western Disposal. Republic’s bid came in at half the cost of the other company’s estimate.
• The City Council opted for the higher cost because it considered some services offered by Western as a necessity, such as a “pay-as-you-throw” rate and single-day collections. That, and the company holds a necessary certification for disposing of an invasive beetle. 

Dive Insight:

The cost to residents for the new contract totals $22.60 an average per month. Republic estimated its cost to residents at $20.36. Waste Connections also bid on the contract, but were eliminated because the company had no plan about dealing with the emerald ash beetle.