“The kind of service others only promise”
In 1956, Homewood Disposal (then called Homewood Scavenger) was a three-truck operation founded by Chicago native Wendell (Wendy) E. Yonker, who picked up garbage from residents in Homewood, Illinois. A man of faith, Wendy built his business around a set of core values–Community, Service, Family and Stewardship.
These values are not only part of the company’s history, but an integral part of how Homewood Disposal operates each day. The history of Homewood Disposal is closely tied to the south suburbs of Chicago and NW Indiana. We’ve kept our local neighborhoods clean for decades and we’re proud to continue that tradition.
A History of Serving Chicagoland and NW Indiana
A History of Serving Chicagoland and NW Indiana
With a fleet of just three trucks, we picked up garbage from residents in the Homewood and Flossmoor, Illinois area. Our first office was tucked behind a men’s clothing store on Dixie Highway in Homewood, Illinois.
With a growing fleet and staff, we move our operations to a bigger space a few blocks away in East Hazel Crest, Illinois.
Now servicing many rapidly growing communities, it is necessary for us to operate our own transfer station. Once completed, it allowed us to empty our trucks at our own facility.
Starting in the 1980’s, companies like Nuway Disposal, Kankakee Disposal, Star Disposal, A & J Disposal, and Tinley Park Disposal joined our team. Many of our customers are still familiar with these names, but you can just call us Homewood Disposal.
In 1990 we started our first curbside recycling program with the Village of Homewood. In 2000, single stream recycling begins as many more neighborhoods choose to recycle. Over the years our recycling facility is upgraded many times for greater efficiency and handling larger quantities of recyclables.
After decades of growth, and several local locations, a corporate headquarters is built in Homewood, Illinois enabling us to better serve and communicate with our customers.
Our trucks that run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks hit the streets. These trucks produce less air pollution. In 2016, a public CNG station opens in Homewood, Illinois. Six years later, over 100 of our trucks run on CNG.
After serving NW Indiana businesses for decades, we expand our location in Valparaiso, Indiana. About 200 trucks now start the day at our seven different locations throughout Chicagoland and NW Indiana.
Wendy’s Story
Wendy’s Story
Wendell (Wendy) E. Yonker is the founder of Homewood Disposal Service. Wendy built the company on family values, customer loyalty and his faith. These values are still present amongst the third generation family members involved today.