Politics & Government

Expect Changes to Your Trash Service

Starting in July, Waste Management may be providing you with a trash can and a bin with a lid and wheels for recycling.

is planning to switch to a new, automated trash service next July that will be more convenient for residents and better for the environment, according to a staff report given at Tuesday's City Council workshop. 

The change in service is part of a new contract with the city’s trash hauler, Waste Management, that would result in about a $1 a month increase for most residents, and about a $.75 a month decrease for residents who can get by with a smaller trash can. 

The contract is expected to be presented to the City Council for approval in early 2012. “This new service will make it easier to recycle, easier to take your trash to the curb and easier to get rid of bulky items,” said Glenn Pruim, the City of Carlsbad utilities director.  “And the new automated trucks use green technology, which means they will produce less pollution as they drive around the city on trash day.” 

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The new service includes “single stream recycling,” which means residents no longer will have to sort their recyclables into separate crates. Instead, residents will get one large bin on wheels where recyclable paper, metal, glass and plastic can be dumped. Residents will also receive a free bin for trash and one for yard waste. All bins have attached lids and wheels.

With the current system, residents provide their own trash cans. Often, lids are missing or get blown off, creating a litter problem in the street and environmental problems when trash gets into the storm drain system. The new bins are designed so trucks can lift them up and dump the trash in the truck automatically. 

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With the new service, residents will no longer have to wait for specified days to have their old appliances, furniture and other bulky items picked up. Instead, they can make two appointments a year for Waste Management to come to their homes for free and pick up items too large for the trash bins. 

In December, the city will distribute to all trash customers an official notice of a public hearing Feb. 14, 2012, to discuss the proposed rate changes. Carlsbad has historically had among the lowest trash rates in the county and would continue to even after the proposed increase. “In developing this new trash contract, our goal was to provide our community with the best trash services at the best cost,” said Pruim. Under current plans, Waste Management will contact Carlsbad trash customers in spring 2012 to get orders for the new carts, and the new service would begin in July.  

Press Release by City of Carlsbad


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