New Contract to Yield Lower Trash Rates

A new 10-year agreement with Solag Disposal Inc. will mean lower trash pickup rates for residents and a new “green waste” program for the city, officials said.

The rate reductions, approved by the City Council this week, will trim home garbage bills by 4.9%, or an average of $8.16 annually, effective Oct. 1. The average household bill will be $13.10 a month under the new contract, officials said.

“It’s important that we’re seeing an immediate reduction to the residents,” Councilwoman Judy Curreri said.

Another highlight of the new agreement is that curbside collection will begin Nov. 4 for grass clippings and other yard waste.

Curreri said she has been pushing for a green waste recycling program in Dana Point ever since the city became incorporated eight years ago.

“I’m very pleased to see we’re going to achieve it before I retire in November,” said the councilwoman, who has decided not to run for reelection this fall.

In the new contract, Solag also guaranteed that by the year 2000, 50% of the solid waste collected in the city will be diverted from landfills and recycled, as mandated by state law.

Solag officials also assured the city that Dana Point’s garbage rates will be equal to or lower than those being negotiated with the neighboring cities of Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.