For Residents, Price of Trash Has Just Gone Up

SANTA MONICA — The city will begin to charge residents for the amount of trash they throw away and is raising collection rates by up to 13% for single-family homes.

The new rate structure takes effect April 1. Single families will be allotted one 95-gallon can full of non-recyclable trash per week at a bimonthly cost of $37.02. If a second 95-gallon can is needed weekly, the cost will double. For occasional extra trash, residents will be asked to buy city-issued plastic bags for $2.75 each.

Single-family residences pay $32.78 for bimonthly trash pickup, regardless of volume.

Multiunit dwellings of 10 units or fewer will also face a 13% rate hike to $131.27 every two months. The rate for larger multiunit dwellings will go up 6.7%. Commercial customers, who already pay a higher rate, are in for a 3.8% increase, but in some cases could cut their bill substantially by recycling.

General Services Director Stan Scholl said the city needs added revenue of $233,769 to offset increased landfill costs, payments for street sweeping, recycling and other expenses. Under state law, cities must recycle 25% of their trash by 1995 or face fines.

As part of the program, the city will begin collecting a new category of recyclables--mixed paper and plastic waste, to assist residents in cutting down on their trash.

The new rates passed the council on a 6-1 vote. Councilman Robert Holbrook dissented, saying the single-family rates were “out of whack.”