Calgary city council has decided to look at contracting out one-quarter of its black cart waste collection service.

Council voted Tuesday night to set the wheels in motion for what might be a seven-year pilot project.

Coun. Ward Sutherland says it could save some money and give the city valuable data on how efficient its service is compared with a private contractor.

"We have to remember as a council, our obligation is to deliver the best services at the best value and cost," he said.

The pilot project would cost up to 15 city workers their jobs.

In a recent survey, 91 per cent of Calgarians told the city they are happy with the existing service.

That prompted Coun. Evan Woolley to wonder why council would tinker with something that's working fine.

"I don't know what problem we're trying to solve," he said.

"If cost savings is the driver of this, man oh man is this a pretty incredible project to undertake for a super popular service for almost zero savings."

Administration will prepare a report by the spring explaining how the contracting out could work.

If a company is selected, it could be picking up garbage sometime in 2021.