Carlsbad to improve trash service

The Carlsbad City Council approved a new trash contract Tuesday that will switch the city’s trash service to a new, automated system that will be more convenient for residents and better for the environment.

 

Under the new contract with the city’s trash hauler, Waste Management, the monthly fee for most residents will increase about a $1 a month. The fee will decrease about $.75 a month for residents who select the smallest trash cart. Carlsbad has historically had among the lowest trash rates in the county and will continue to even after the increase goes into effect July 1.

 

The new carts, which will be provided for free, have attached lids and wheels. Residents can choose a 64 or 96 gallon trash cart at the monthly rate of $19.90 or a 35 gallon trash cart for monthly rate of $18.02. Regardless of which size trash cart is selected, residents will have a choice of 35, 64 or 96 gallon recycling and green waste carts. The monthly trash rate will only be affected by the size of the trash cart.

 

The monthly rates for multi-family and commercial customers will increase by 3.4 percent to 10.7 percent, depending on the size of the bin, the type of material collected and the frequency of collection.

 

“In developing this new trash contract, our goal was to provide our community with the best trash services at the best cost,” said Glenn Pruim, the City of Carlsbad utilities director. 

 

With this change, Carlsbad will make the switch to “single stream recycling,” which means residents no longer will have to sort their recyclables into separate crates. Instead, residents will get one large cart on wheels for recyclable paper, metal, glass and plastic.

 

Under the new service, residents will no longer have to wait for specified dates to have their old appliances, furniture and other bulky items picked up. Instead, they can make up to three appointments a year for Waste Management to come to their homes for free and collect up to five bulky or electronic waste items.

 

The new system also will be better for the environment. 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 carts have attached lids that will help keep litter off the streets and out of the storm drains. In addition, the diesel trucks will be replaced with trucks that use natural gas, meaning they will create less pollution as they drive around the city.

 

Carlsbad trash customers will receive information from Waste Management this spring about the new services and how to select the right sized carts for their trash, recycling and green waste needs. The new services will begin in July. 

 

Christine Ruess, 760-438-2722 x7110, or christine.ruess@carlsbadca.gov

 

Kristina Ray, 760-434-2957, kristina.ray@carlsbadca.gov