MARQUETTE — Chocolay Township residents can expect significant changes on July 1 to the way their trash is collected.

That’s when the current garbage-bag tag system will be replaced with a bag and cart system, similar to that used in the city of Marquette, and the cost per bag disposed of will increase from $2 to $2.85.

The Chocolay Township Board awarded a new solid waste collection contract to Waste Management of Marquette during its regular meeting Monday.

The new contract will allow residential garbage customers to choose how they dispose of their trash by either purchasing 32-gallon trash bags specifically designed for the township or by using 64-gallon carts.

The bags, which will be available in rolls of 10, will cost $28.50 per roll during the first four years of the seven-year contract.

Residents can also choose the cart option, which includes two 64-gallon receptacles — a solid green cart for garbage and a green cart with a yellow lid for recycling — at a cost of $13 per month for the first year of the contract.

A 3 percent increase in the monthly rental fee is built into each subsequent year of the contract, township documents state.

Residents who would like the cart option are required to fill out and submit an order form to the township office no later than 4:30 p.m. June 6 so that they can be ordered and delivered to residents by July 1.

Waste Management will bill customers for the cart rental fee quarterly, according to board agenda materials.

“Regardless of what contractor was chosen, all customers should be aware that garbage rates would have increased from the current rate of $2 per tag to a minimum of $2.85 per tag or bag,” Township Manager Jon Kangas told the board Monday.

A letter dated Tuesday from Chocolay Township Department of Public Works Supervisor Brad Johnson to residents states that collection days will change for residents as well.

“If your current collection day is on Wednesday, the new day will be on Monday. If your current collection day is on Thursday, the new day will be on Tuesday,” the letter states. “All trash must be out by 6 a.m. on your collection day.”

Effective May 30, garbage tags will no longer be sold at local businesses, but single tags will continue to be available at the township office until the current waste disposal contract expires June 30.

Any tags not used at the end of June can be returned for a full refund at the township office, but local stores will not accept returns for the garbage tags, officials said.

“Please make every effort to purchase only the number of tags you need,” the letter states.

The township pays $110,723 for its current waste disposal contract with Great American Disposal, but rising costs and several customer complaints led township officials in April to request sealed bids from waste collection contractors.

Waste Management submitted the lowest base bid of $125,100 for the first year of a seven-year contract for the 1,455 stops in the township. North Country Disposal bid $132,475 and Great American Disposal bid $148,759.

The cart and bag option, part of an alternate bid submitted by Waste Management, means the company, not the township, assumes all billing responsibilities and tipping fees for trash collection and disposal, Kangas said.

Residents who have questions about the new system are invited to two informational sessions scheduled from 7-8 p.m. May 29 and May 30, the letter states. Questions can also be directed to the township office by calling 906-249-1448.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.