Local News in Brief : Refuse Collection Contract

As small trash-hauling companies consider deserting Rancho Palos Verdes, the City Council gave Waste Management of North America Inc. two additional areas from which to collect trash.

Last summer the city entered into a refuse collection contract with Waste Management to haul residential refuse from eastern and southern areas of the city. On Tuesday the council approved a 5-year contract with the firm, allowing it to collect from areas in northern parts of the city. Small refuse haulers who serve these areas are considering getting out of the trash business.

“The other (trash haulers) are selling out to one big guy,” said Councilman John McTaggart, who cast the sole vote against the contract. “With no competition, I think it’s going to be more difficult to deal with (Waste Management).”

Waste Management will begin hauling trash from its new collection areas on Feb. 1 at a rate of $13.90 per month. In July the rate is estimated to increase to $15.15 per month.

In one area now served by Holt Rubbish Service, residents have been paying $14 per month.

The contract calls for Waste Management to collect recyclables such as newspapers, bottles and aluminum cans, which residents will deposit in special bins at the curb. The money raised by the sale of recyclables will eventually find its way back to the neighborhoods in the form of city services.