Story by Rafa Estolano-Sridharan
Staff Writer
Photos by Madeline Madrigal
Staff Photographer
The City Council voted to approve a new waste collection agreement with Athens Services at their meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The new agreement will provide organics collection for all South Pasadena residents and increase the frequency of other services already provided by Athens Services.
The new agreement is meant to bring the city into compliance with SB 1383, a California law meant to reduce methane emissions from organic waste. SB 1383 requires all jurisdictions in California to provide organic waste collection services, meaning the specific collection and processing of things like green waste and food, to all residents and businesses.
The agreement will include price increases for businesses and residents in South Pasadena. Residential and commercial rates for trash services will see a 14 percent increase for SB 1383 compliance programs. Residential rates will also see an 8.75 percent increase for new barrels specifically for organic waste.
The monthly rate for a single family would increase from $57.09 to $70.01. The rates for multi-family buildings would see a much higher increase, with a 5-unit multi-family building having an increase of around $450.
The large price increase is because the new agreement would include a new service for these buildings necessary to comply with SB 1383. Each building would have a minimum 64-gallon barrel for organic waste, which would be collected three times a week.
The agreement also includes increased frequency of services already provided by Athens. Barrels previously collected three times a week will be serviced five times a week, and barrels previously serviced twice a week will be serviced three times a week. The agreement will also increase the amount of free dumpster days from two to four each year.
The approval of the agreement allows the city attorney to make any necessary changes to the agreement. A Proposition 218 public hearing will be held in November for South Pasadena residents to voice their thoughts and concerns about rate increases. The new agreement will mean more services from Athens but higher rates for residents.