San Francisco’s Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board has finalized a 22 percent rate increase that will go into effect for trash collection service in the city starting Thursday.
The board on Tuesday finalized approval of a monthly increase of $6.17 from the current rate of $27.91 for households with three 32-gallon bins—a black one for trash, a blue one for recycling and a green one for composting, according to the city’s Department of Public Works.
However, as part of the city’s agreement with Recology, the company contracted to collect San Francisco’s trash, a household would see its monthly rate drop to $24.68 if it switches to a smaller 20-gallon black trash bin.
The decrease is meant as an incentive to encourage residents to recycle and compost more to support the city’s goal of zero waste by 2020, public works officials said.
Recology has also agreed to expand its bulky item collection service to include picking up illegal dumping from streets and sidewalks. San Franciscans are encouraged to make appointments for the pickup of large items at www.recologysf.com.
The agreement on the rate increase comes after several months of outreach from city public works and Department of the Environment staff, including multiple public hearings and workshops, according to public works officials.
The Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board consists of Deputy City Administrator Linda Yeung, City Controller Ben Rosenfield and city Public Utilities Commission Deputy General Manager Michael Carlin.
More information about the new rates can be found online at www.sfdpw.org/refuserates.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
