City to redouble its recycling efforts
Barbara Diamond
Faced with the possibility of $10,000-a-day fines, the City Council
voted unanimously Tuesday to take actions to meet the state mandate
for diverting waste from landfills.
The city has fallen behind on the state’s 50% diversion
requirement and has until the end of this year to catch up. Failure
could lead to the hefty fines or forced implementation of
state-dictated programs that have little consideration for local
conditions.
But Laguna is not alone in failing to meet the requirements.
“There are 34 cities in Orange County and only 14 have met the
mandate,” City Manager Ken Frank said.
The council directed Frank to accept the proposal that city hauler
Waste Management increase its cost of renting large temporary
containers for construction and demolition debris. The increases
would pay to implement recycling of the debris and would offset the
increase in self-hauled waste over which the city has no control.
“Self-hauling from private property to the dumps grew 45% between
2000 and 2003 and another 27% by 2004,” said city analyst Jamie
Pendleton.
Pendleton said the numbers are shocking in a community that prides
itself on its environmental sensitivity, with strong support for
recycling by the residents.
“Our residential numbers are very good,” Pendleton said.
The county waste management division recently completed a study of
self hauling by the public-at-large, roofers, gardeners and
contractors. The study found that relatively cheap landfill rates and
closures in nearby counties have contributed to the increase of self
hauling. A $19 surcharge would serve as disincentive for dumping
unrecycled trash in the landfills and be an incentive to use
recycling facilities, according to Pendleton..
Sixty% of the self-haul waste in the county is recyclable,
Pendleton said.
The council directed staff to monitor the county’s efforts to
implement a regional strategic plan for self-hauled waste.
Staff also is assessing the possibility of increasing recycling in
the city’s business district and is working with the Orange County
Conservation Corps to develop a brochure to promote the collection of
beverage containers at hotels, bars and restaurants. New locations
are being identified where recycling bins could be put on public
property, commercial areas and difficult-to-serve residential
neighborhoods.
Pet owners might take more responsible action if they had a place
to deposit used plastic bags rather than carry them in their pockets
while walking their dogs.
Plastic bags go into the trash containers, including plastic bags
that contain green waste, which otherwise would go to recycling and
reduce the waste stream.
“If you need an additional green waste cart, just call us -- it’s
complimentary,” said Waste Management spokeswoman Michelle Clark. The
number for customer service is (994) 642-1191.
Carts also can be down- or up-sized to suit individual needs.
The city will continue to publicize good practices in newsletters
to residents and business. City and Waste Management staff members
will participate in the community fair organized for May 14 by the
public safety departments.
For more information about city recycling programs, call (949)
497-0344.
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