River City Waste Services (RCWS) is a full-service waste and recycling provider serving the LaSalle County area. We pride ourselves on being the most cost-effective option for both residential and business customers.

Our vision is to provide the highest level of customer service to our community while offering an exciting, fun, and safe work environment for our dedicated employees.

River City Waste Services (RCWS) is a full-service waste and recycling provider serving the LaSalle County area. We pride ourselves on being the most cost-effective option for both residential and business customers. RCWS has all of the best functions of the large corporations, but with friendly local offices in both LaSalle and Sandwich, IL.

Your community is our community too. We live and work in the neighborhoods we serve. Because of this, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of customer service. Our highly trained staff makes sure of complete customer satisfaction in all interactions, whether it’s a curbside pickup or a billing inquiry.

Community Initiative

We’re a proud part of the communities we serve. Each of our team members works to ensure the LaSalle County area is well taken care of. It’s our goal to keep our community healthy and happy. That way, our neighbors can work towards their goals too.

• Operating with a modern fleet of eco-friendly collection vehicles
• Recycling and composting options available
• Family-owned and operated
• Proudly supports other local businesses
• Highly active in the communities we serve

ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

River City Waste Services was founded in February 2019 by Shawn McDowell, a second-generation sanitation engineer.

His father Patrick got started in the waste industry over four decades ago, and Shawn quickly set upon the same path. He began working in the waste and recycling industry at the age of 16, sweeping shops and helping on the back of a truck in Ottawa. Needless to say, the waste industry has always played a significant role in his life.

Throughout his time at Augustana College, Shawn held various positions with a large corporate waste and recycling company including helper, truck washer, and special events coordinator. Soon after earning his degree, Shawn became an outside sales representative for two privately held waste and recycling companies in the Chicagoland area.

He later co-founded Complete Sanitation in 2006, a family-owned residential and commercial waste business located in Plano. In 2015, Shawn, his father, and business partner Tom Klatt sold the company to Groot Industries.

Shawn has since held numerous leadership positions with Groot Industries and Waste Connections, who acquired Groot Industries in 2017. In his last role with Waste Connections, he was the District Manager for the Rockford and Elgin markets, running approximately 145 routes per day, served by a staff of 240 people.

Now as owner and founder of River City Waste Services, Shawn brings a local touch back to the waste and recycling industry. His leadership team has over 30 years’ experience serving northern Illinois in this field. Shawn and the entire RCWS team are dedicated to the LaSalle County area, and we are privileged to serve your area.