Solid Waste

Solid waste collection has the greatest variety of services offerings between agencies. For a wastewater utility, the level of treatment might differ by agency and the characteristics of the collection system area might change, but the basic service of collecting and treating wastewater is fairly constant. Solid waste, however, can vary significantly between agency, including the number of pickup days per month, types of recycling and green waste, and backyard pickup, to name a few.

Additionally, while the majority of water and wastewater service in the State of California is provided by municipal agencies, solid waste service is often provided by private waste haulers through franchise agreements with the local agencies. The City is one of three agencies surveyed to provide municipal service for all solid waste collection. Although the City’s solid waste utility has the highest user rates of the surveyed agencies it also provides various services, including landfill closure. In providing this municipal service, the City has direct control in meeting customer demands, regulatory and diversion requirements, and green initiatives.

The City of Sacramento provides all solid waste services within the City limits. Of the surveyed agencies, only the Cities of Davis and Roseville provide municipal solid waste services. Solid waste services within the remaining service areas are provided by private haulers through a franchise agreement. Our review of surveyed utilities indicated that a 64 gallon cart (or the equivalent if not offered) was the most popular cart size among their customers. Although the 64 gallon rate is not the

most common among Sacramento customers, the solid waste rate comparison uses the rate for a 64 gallon cart (or the equivalent if not offered) to offer the best comparison against the average for the other agencies. The following figure provides this comparison.

Figure 4. Solid Waste Comparison: FY 2010/11 Rates

The City of Sacramento charges the highest solid waste rate but does not charge more for less. As the following matrix will show, the City of Sacramento’s solid waste services are commensurate with the other agencies. The following matrix was constructed to better illustrate the disparate solid waste services provided by the surveyed agencies.

Table 28. Solid Waste Characteristic Comparison

Again, it is important to emphasize the fact that the City of Sacramento operates its own solid waste service with the majority of the surrounding cities outsourcing to private firms. The private firms often serve a much larger customer base and can charge lower rates due to the effects of economies of scale. The following sections further explain the operations of each of the cities.

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W. Sacramento 1 9 Oil/Filter Only 9 9 Weekly Weekly 9

Roseville 1 Appointment 9 9 Weekly Biweekly 9

Sacramento 1 Appointment 9 9 Weekly Weekly 9 Bimonthly

Sac County 1 None 9 9 Biweekly Biweekly

Stockton 1 Oil/Filter/Batteries 9 9 Weekly Weekly Biweekly

Woodland^{1 2} 1 Oil/Filter Only 9 9 Weekly See Note

Notes:

1 Woodland's green waste collection is weekly November - February and monthly March - October.

2 Woodland's solid waste is wholly operated by Waste Management, Inc. No city solid waste enterprise fund.

B.5.1 Solid Waste Comparison Profiles

The solid waste rate comparison illustrates rates for a 64 gallon cart curbside pick-up or the equivalent thereof. Again, because the solid waste services offered by the surrounding cities are varied, the solid waste characteristics comparison is a valuable supplement to the rate comparison.

Also, the below descriptions of the solid waste operations for the sampled cities should be used along with the characteristic comparison.

City of Sacramento

As previously stated, the City of Sacramento operates its own municipal solid waste service. The solid waste service provides garbage, recycling, and yard waste curbside collection along with street sweeping to City’s residential and commercial customers. In order to reduce the environmental and operational costs associated with dumping into a landfill, Sacramento actively promotes recycling.

The City’s service is also responsible for landfill closures and the costs associated with such an activity.

The City of Sacramento offers three cart sizes and one for each of its solid waste services; garbage, recycling and yard waste. The sizes offered are 36, 64, and 96 gallon carts; with the 96 gallon cart being the most popular within the City; however, the 64 gallon cart was used for the purposes of this rate comparison.

City of Davis

Davis Waste Removal serves Davis and the surrounding areas of El Macero, Willowbank and the rural areas of Davis and Yolo County. The rates are a single charge for all curbside service at $28.87 for trash, recycling and green waste. Davis Waste Removal also provides recycling of scrap metal and oil at their dump site.

City of Elk Grove

The City’s solid waste division, Elk Grove Integrated Waste, provides collection to residential customers only while Allied Waste, a private contractor, handles all commercial collection. In total, Elk Grove Integrated Waste serves 45,236 residential customers. Commercial and residential customers are charged the same rate structure and options for size of cart. The rates are $18.72 for a 32 gallon can, $21.59 for a 64 gallon can, and $27.35 for a 96 gallon can. In addition to solid waste collection, customers are also offered recycling and green waste collection.

City of Folsom

The solid waste division is responsible for all collection within the City limits with the exception of the Folsom State Prison. Following the guidelines of AB 939, to the City must divert a minimum of 50% of the City’s waste stream to recycling facilities. The City’s solid waste rates are based on the size of cart per customer: 65 gallon ($22.50), 90 gallon ($25.50), an extra cart is $19.05 with the exception being customers may receive one additional recycling or green waste card at no extra charge.

City of Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova’s solid waste collection is split between Allied Waste Inc, and Waste Management Inc. Residential customers are served by Allied Waste Inc. The monthly rate for residential customer utilizing a 64 gallon cart is $22.87.

Larger collection needs and most commercial services are contracted through both private companies. The collection sizes and fees are based on “dumpster” sizes and schedules. Both companies have implemented comprehensive recycling programs at no extra charge to its customers.

City of Roseville

Residents are offered a solid waste service at a fixed $22.70 a month covering collection once a week of a 90 gallon refuse cart.

City of Stockton

Solid waste services are provided by Waste Management and Allied Waste Services. Residential collection occurs once a week. Users may choose between a 30, 60, or 90 gallon container. Rates are based on the size of container, increasing by size from $21.01, to $26.63, to $32.25 per month.

City of West Sacramento

Solid waste services are provided by Waste Management, Inc. Billing is provided by the City’s Finance Department. As with many agencies, residential rates are based on the size of the bin; the varying charges are $15.17 per month for a 35 gallon cart, $18.91 per month for a 64 gallon cart, and

$24.13 per month for a 96 gallon cart.

City of Woodland

Service is provided by Waste Management which handles Woodland’s recycling, solid waste and green waste needs. Woodland abides by California Solid Waste Management Act (AB 939) by diverting at least 50% of their solid waste from landfills. Waste Management charges its residential customer $19.25 per month for a 64 gallon cart.

A PPENDICES