Trash Collection Fees to Go Down

Residents can expect their monthly trash collection rate to drop by almost 25% under a new deal approved by the City Council on Tuesday.

The council unanimously chose Solag Disposal Inc. over four other bidders for a 10-year franchise that will also provide upgraded levels of service.

When the new contract takes effect on July 1, residents will be charged $12 monthly for a new automated pickup system and improved recycling services that will allow green waste to be recycled for the first time. The current monthly rate is $15.89 per residence.

Businesses also will see a 16% reduction in trash bin fees.

“I’m very excited and very proud of the work the city did on behalf of our residents to establish this franchise,” Mayor Randal J. Bressette said. “We’ve created a service that will cut their cost of services . . . and will help the city meet its recycling goals.”

The state requires all municipalities to recycle at least 25% of the waste going to landfills or face a $10,000-per-day fine, although state officials have called a moratorium on imposing cash penalties.

Cities with trash agreements that allow residents to mix recyclables--such as provided in Laguna Hills’ new contract--have generally not experienced problems meeting the state mandate.

Bressette said he will ask city staff to establish a way for residents to safely and easily dispose of household hazardous waste such as old paint.