Section OneResidents may be throwing away more than just trash when city-run garbage trucks collect their waste. Government-run solid waste collection costs about 25 percent more than when a private company is used. (Teel 1993) The concept of privatization of solid waste collection services is not new. This shift from using government employees, state-owned trucks and landfills to contracting with a private company to collect solid waste is a trend that is receiving more attention lately. The move to privatization is usually driven by the desire to save costs. (Hyres, 2010) There is much debate about the quality of public versus private contracts for municipal services. The other branch of this debate concerns the cost benefits for taxpayers. One of these municipal services is solid waste collection. Waste services can be divided into three areas, all available to be contracted out to private companies. The phases are the collection of domestic and business solid waste, recycling (collection and processing) and the disposal of non-recyclable products in landfills. (Wright & Nebel, 2002) There are costs incurred at each stage, especially in landfill. From collection, to sorting, to final disposal, this ends up being a costly process for the taxpayer. In this economic climate, many cities are facing budget shortfalls and waste collection is receiving a lot of attention. Medina County is no exception, Medina is looking for ways to save and more efficiently use taxpayer money. A viable option is to privatize waste collection. Solid waste management policy in Medina County needs to be changed and no longer a flow control system that manages… middle of paper. There will be resistance to privatization, but it is still worth it. . It is an option that must be carefully considered. To minimize resistance and job losses, a company may be required to hire some municipal workers in the contract. (Hyres, 2010) The benefits of privatization are undeniable. Privatization manages liabilities, improves efficiency, reduces costs and improves accountability. (Raphaelson, 1998) Between economic conditions and local governments facing many projects requiring taxpayer dollars, it is a good time to push for the privatization of waste collection and landfills. It is a very difficult decision for an elected official to make, but today's economy gives them the “political cover” to take the step toward privatization, and if done correctly, it is a win-win decision for everyone involved. (Segal, 2000)