Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

From Oakland to Chicago to Jacksonville, Mayors Are Using Privatization

Private trash collection would help Fresno's long-term financial health

May 31, 2013

Leonard Gilroy, Adrian Moore

Next month’s special election on contracting out Fresno’s residential trash collection to help balance the city’s budget will hopefully end the long-running battle over something that shouldn’t have been controversial in the first place. In California, cities like Riverside, Oakland and Torrance already use private trash collectors. It’s a service that is regularly privatized across the country.

New at Reason: Looking Back at the Last Year in Local Government Privatization

May 6, 2013, 4:25pm

Leonard Gilroy

The rollout of Reason Foundation's Annual Privatization Report 2013 continues today with the release of the Local Government Privatization section, which which provides an overview of the latest on privatization and public-private partnerships in local government.

Solid Waste Collection Update

Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization

May 6, 2013

Harris Kenny

This subsection of Reason Foundation's Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization reviews solid waste collection privatization and public-private partnerships.

Politics & Garbage Privatization in Norwalk, CT

March 21, 2012, 12:18pm

Leonard Gilroy

The public works director in Norwalk, Connecticut is making a case for privatization of waste collection, estimating savings of over $1.2 million in the first two years.

Boulder, Colorado Weighing Banning or Taxing Disposable Bags

October 10, 2011, 11:00pm

Harris Kenny

On the front page of today’s Daily Camera is a story about how the Boulder, Colorado City Council is weighing banning or taxing plastic and paper bags. Moves like this appeal to policymakers during economic downturns because it’s easier to kick the can down the road than make difficult budget decisions.

California Ordering Takeout Containers “To Go”?

August 31, 2011, 12:36pm

Harris Kenny

California lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban polystyrene containers used by food vendors to serve takeout meals by 2016. The bill, Senate Bill 568, is cruising through the legislature and appears likely to become law this fall. According to the The Sacramento Bee, more than 50 cities and counties in the Golden State already have similar laws in place, but if SB 568 passes it would be the first statewide ban of polystyrene in the U.S.

More »