This rating is based on customer reviews, inventory size, pricing, and service quality
Reviews of Lake Area Recycling Services in Springfield, IL skew positive but uneven: 73/100. Many praise reliable trash pickup, quick loading at the yard, clearly marked bins, wide acceptance of materials, and friendly, professional staff. Pricing is mixed—some report good payouts, others feel shorted. Recycling draws the most complaints: missed or selective pickups, refusals despite sorting, and limited/early-closed hours (no Saturdays). A few note early-morning truck noise. Yard access is easy if open, but service delays can occur. Overall, solid for trash; recycling service is inconsistent.
Want your soda bottles and cans extracted from your premises, then this company is your go to recycler. Or, if it doesn’t fit in one of their green plastic containers, you can take it down to their recycling center- opposite County Market on 6th Street!
Update: they make me want to give up on recycling. Out of principle I’m not going to give up but they’re making it hard. I always sort my recycling and they still refused to take it; it’s as if they’re looking for excuses to not to their job. I would go with republic if able.
Recycling services are not reliable. They often (probably once a month) miss pickup. Office staff are nice but can’t seem to do much if recycling crew miss pickup. Trash pickup is always on time though.
First off let this review NOT reflect the Lake Area garbage disposal guys. They are top notch and take everything you put out! However, this review is for their recycling department and a 2 may be generous. They routinely (at least once a month) do not take everything you put out. It doesn’t matter if boxes are broken down or what. They leave no note why it wasn’t taken either. Come on, how hard is it to pickup cardboard?? I guess I’ll have to switch to a new provider because of repeated bad service by the recycling service. Sad but true.
I called when recycling hadn't been picked up accidentally, and they made an extra trip out here to pick mine up. Thank u so much. Always have great service with garbage, and recycling!
I called and offered to pay a higher rate than market value and because they didn't want to do any work they told me I would be better to find another local hauler, what a joke
We have been with LARS for last 2 years. We are very happy with the service, as long as we are in Springfield area, and they will provide service, we will be loyal customer.
When they do their job the garbage is gone, but they don't pick up the trash many times through the year and when I call they say it'll will be next week before it will be taken. Not very professional, but I guess you get what you pay for and they are the cheapest trash & recycling pick up.
Lake Area recycling on S 6th has been very accommodating with my need to recycle scrap metal. I don't get reimbursed for it, but I have the good feeling of knowing it isn't going into a landfill. Thank you, Lake Area!
They have the best customer service in Springfield! Everyone I have dealt with from the trash and recycling truck, office and especially the guys at the drop off have been nothing less than exceptional! I would never consider switching. Thank you Crenshaw's for bringing together such an amazing group. I know what you guys do is not easy work and to have such a positive attitude represented is incredible. Springfield businesses could learn a lot from you guys.
Never ever ever open when they say they are!! It’s rude because you pack up your car full of things drive 20 minutes only to find they closed an hour Or more early. You are a business with business hours. You need to keep them!!! I get things happen but they sure seem to happen a lot for you guys
Edit.
I am
Sitting here over an hour early and sure enough they closed already
I thought it was time to show some appreciation for a reliable, friendly local business. I’ve used Lake Area since 1995 and wouldn’t think of changing. Whenever we can’t get our garbage out on our assigned day, a phone call is all it has taken to arrange a different day. They have never, as far as I can recall, failed to show up. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have randomly picked Lake Area all those years ago until I joined the Nextdoor app and started reading endless complaints about their competitors. Whew, it sounds like I dodged a bullet.
Two requests: I would love to use one of those large blue cans like another company uses (as does the City of Peoria where my dad lives). They are so much better than the ones we’re allowed to use. Maintaining one larger bin vs two small ones is more convenient and saves a little ground space. They also seem more stable, easier to maneuver, easier to open & close and more secure against raccoons etc.
Second, as another reviewer mentioned it would be great if they could resume a few Saturday hours for recycling drop-offs.
Worst customer service in central Illinois. Period. Yelling at your customers is rarely a sound strategy. This is a sister company to Lake Area Disposal, which my family has no issue with. Look elsewhere.
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