Burlingame residents will still be able to purchase the previously discontinued 20-gallon garbage bin — but should expect the price to nearly double as city officials discuss potential rate increases for the next five years.
Recology discontinued the 20-gallon bin in 2012, but customers who purchased it continued to pay a discounted rate of $16.13 per month. Under a contract proposal, that price would jump to $29.53 per month, an 83% increase, for any new purchasers and the 655 customers in the city who use the bin, according to a staff report. Mayor Michael Brownrigg said the 20-gallon bin’s price incentivized people to be more mindful of what they put in the trash can.
“This is back when we went from separated garbage to single stream. So, we were worried that everyone would throw stuff in the garbage, so we wanted to encourage people to recycle,” Brownrigg said.
While the City Council discussed an interest in bringing back the 20-gallon bin for its residents at its Oct. 16 meeting, under the proposed rate, the bin would only be about $4 cheaper than the 32-gallon bin, which is expected to be $32.81 per month, according to the report.
The contract agreement between the facilities operator and the SBWMA, which represents the city, will expire at the end of this year, and solid waste rates will need to increase to cover the nearly $1 million shortfalls projected for the next two years. The increase is due to changes in Recology’s fuel rates, wages and benefits. The Shoreway Environmental Center projects a 25% increase in 2024 due to operations, part of a new operating agreement approved in 2022. The city projects costs associated with collection services, street sweeping, steam cleaning, public waste bins and compliance with state laws will increase $118,284 in 2024, or about 6%, according to the report.
Brownrigg said the 25% increase to the collection center shows the city was most likely getting a good deal under its last contract.
The city staff and its consultant, R3 Consulting Group Inc., estimated total solid waste will increase by 7% in 2025, 6% in 2026 and 5% in 2027 and 2028. The city plans to use some of its Solid Waste Fund reserves to offset increases in solid waste rates in 2024, 2025 and 2026, according to the report.
The city’s rates could increase by about 10% for residential bins for any home, with containers ranging from 32 gallons to 96 gallons from this year and a 10% increase each following year through 2028. For customers with 32-gallon bins, the price could have a $2.95 increase. By 2028, that same price could reach $43.39 per month. The commercial bins could cost $32.81 per month for a 32-gallon container and up to $207.05 per month for a cubic yard size bin. The largest commercial bin, 3-cubic yards, could cost as much as $612.14 monthly. The commercial bins are anticipated to have a 10% rate increase this year and each year through 2028, according to the report.
The City Council unanimously agreed to set a public hearing Dec. 4 when it could approve the proposed rates. The council has the option of approving the rates for up to five years. The city will issue 45-day notices of the proposed rate changes to the ratepayers, who can submit written protests to the city. If there isn’t a majority protest, the city can approve the new rates, effective Jan. 1, and would be in effect from 2024 to 2028, according to the report.
The city is a South Bayside Waste Management Authority Joint Powers Authority member. Under the JPA, each city sets its solid waste rates for both residential and commercial customers, according to the report.
Note to readers: This story has been changed because the contract agreement is not between the city and Recology but between the facilities operator and SBWMA, which represents the city.
(2) comments
I’ve witnessed that many people with the 20-gal trash can don’t separate their trash and use the recycling and green waste cans as a garbage back-up. The smaller can is not encouraging less garbage in all cases, as Mayor Brownrigg suggests.
People are simply getting creative because the government is bankrupting its citizens by overcharging for public services. I put my trash in my neighbor's can or take it to the gas station (bad oil) when I fill up ;-)
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