Modesto trash customers, here’s what you need to know about that third bin, future bills
Modesto’s residential garbage customers will have to use a third bin and pay a little more starting in January as the city complies with a state law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by keeping food and other organic waste out of landfills.
So instead of using a black bin for household garbage and recyclables and green bin for organic waste, residential customers will have to put their recyclables in a blue bin. (Crews have delivered the bins.)
Modesto says Senate Bill 1383 — the law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — requires it to use three containers because it does not have what is called a high-diversion organic waste processing facility.
That’s not the only change.
Instead of having all three bins emptied weekly, as was the case with the black and green bins, residential customers will have two bins picked up each week. The black bin with household trash will be picked up weekly while the green and blue bins will each be picked up on alternate weeks. Customers will keep their same pickup day.
The City Council approved these changes in June. City staff recommended picking up the recyclables and organic waste every two weeks rather than weekly because it would save residential customers $3 a month on their garbage bills and based upon the results of a survey of customers.
The council also approved charging more for garbage services. The typical residential customer will see his or her monthly garbage bill rise from $37.45 to $51.25. The city phased in the increase, with the bill rising to $45.85 in July and $51.25 in January.
Other cities charging more
The increase will help Modesto meets the requirements of Senate Bill 1383.
For instance, the higher garbage bills will cover such costs as having the city’s garbage haulers remove contaminants from organic waste before it goes to the city’s compost facility and for improvements to the facility. The higher bills also will pay for the city’s education, compliance and enforcement efforts regarding SB 1383.
Other local governments also have increased what they charge to meet the requirements of the law.
Several residents complained at the June council meeting that leaving household waste in a bin for two weeks will bring flies and other pests as well as rank odors when the weather is warm.
Modesto spokeswoman Diana Ruiz-Del Re said city staff encourages residents to bring their questions and concerns to the city. She added the city’s solid waste staff will monitor the changes and update the City Council. She said solid waste staff could recommend modifications as needed.
Customers can call the city’s solid waste division at 209-577-5494. They also can learn more about the changes at www.modestogov.com/370/Solid-Waste-Division and submit questions and comments by clicking on the page’s “Contact Solid Waste Division” link.
Modesto’s commercial garbage customers also are paying more and will see changes to their service. Ruiz-Del Re said the city will roll out the changes for its commercial customers after rolling out the changes for its residential customers.
California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery states on its website that food and other organic waste breaks down into the greenhouse gas methane when placed in landfills. The website states landfills are California’s third biggest source of methane, and organic waste makes up about half of the trash in California landfills.
This story was originally published December 26, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
