Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Monday that the city’s bringing in two private companies to manage four of the six sectors where with the service is now available. 

It’s currently available to just 240,000 homes - though Emanuel wants it to expand to all Chicago households eventually.

Emanuel’s office says the Blue Cart Recycling program has cost the city $13.8 million. He says bids from private firms have come in at half that to cover the same area. 

Two of the six sectors will still be serviced by city employees. After a trial period, the mayor’s office says how the private companies and the city workers performed will be evaluated. 

That will determine how to further develop the program.