Kenosha Reporter

The city of Kenosha has announced that the Spring 2025 curbside compostable collection program will take place from Monday, May 5, through Friday, June 13.

According to the city, residents participating in the program are required to use City-approved biodegradable bags: Bag To Nature, BioBag, or Ecoguard. Compostables not placed in these specific bags will not be collected. The bags should be set out in a separate pile at the curb no earlier than 6:30 p.m. on the evening before the scheduled collection day. The compostable materials are processed into high-grade compost available free to city residents. A press release states that the use of approved biodegradable bags has reduced collection and processing costs and improved compost quality.

To help offset the cost of these bags, Kenosha is offering $2-off coupons for each box of approved biodegradable compostable bags. These coupons can be obtained at various locations including the City of Kenosha Department of Public Works and City Clerk, Kenosha Water Utility, and on the city’s website. One coupon is required per box or bundle of bags, with a limit of four coupons per visit. Coupons are only valid at Kenosha-area retailers and cannot be used for previous purchases. Participating retailers include Prairie Side Ace Hardware, Festival Foods, Lowe’s, JC Licht Ace Hardware, Menards, Piggly Wiggly, and Woodman’s.

The Kenosha Department of Public Works provides services such as engineering, street maintenance, waste collection, and snow control to enhance public safety and convenience. Residents can report issues like potholes and streetlight outages through an online system while alerts on service disruptions and emergencies are available via AlertSense.

Kenosha operates under a Common Council system consisting of the mayor and 17 alderpersons who each represent a district for a two-year term. The city's origins trace back to an 1835 settlement established by John Bullen under the Western Emigration Company; it was initially named Southport before adopting its current name in 1850. According to the city's website, Kenosha's municipal government oversees various departments including public works, transit, fire and police services, parks, housing as well as maintaining ordinances and city planning efforts.