Trash fees reduced below the 2003/04 Levels

By Bob J Ooten

My goal and pledge is to continue to keep Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) trash fees from increasing above the 2005/06 levels over the next four years.

My goal and pledge is to continue to keep Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) trash fees from increasing above the 2005/06 levels of the next four years.

Trash fees are a direct reflection of the trash tonnages discarded by residents of the CMSD. The tonnages of discards for CMSD increased continuously until they peaked in 2005/06 at 44,300 tons per year. Since 2006/07, the trash discards have steadily fallen from to around 40,000 tons per year or about a 10% decrease. The residential reduction in trash discards tonnage has allowed the trash rates to be decreased the past two years to 2003/04 levels. As the trash tonnages decreased reserves were accumulated in anticipation of the recently enacted state of California regulation, which requires the removal of organics (grass and food waste) from the trash discards by the year 2020. The reserves are adequate to cover the coat of the organics program for about six years.

To continue reducing trash discards, several programs have been developed. CMSD provides composting units to residents and has expanded educational programs for school children and adults about opportunities to recycle, reuse, and reduce the trash discards. CMSD provides residential pick up of household hazardous waste (e.g. household batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and e-waste) and supports local disposal (i.e. Orange Coast College Recycling Center) so the residents do not have to travel far to the three county sites for disposal.

The sale of composting units and food waste pails is an expanding program that shows promise for the 15,000 residences served by CMSD to further reduce their trash discards. CMSD partially offsets the cost to residents. Call 949 645 8400 or check the web site for the present composting units offered for sale at the CMSD. Studies have shown that composting yard and kitchen food wastes can reduce the annual quantity that a resident discards by up to one half ton per year. This activity has great potential for savings because food and yard wastes are about 30% of residential trash discards. See the web site or call to also discuss the new organics recycling program that the District will implement in 2015.

Other creative means to reduce trash discards are becoming available. Costa Mesa Friends of the Libraries offers a way to recycle used books which would otherwise be a trash can discard. Papers and other newsprints are getting smaller and thinner. Orange Coast College Recycling Center (located on Adams Avenue) takes cans, glass, paper, cardboard, electronic wastes, fluorescent bulbs, and household batteries. I would propose a citizens group be formed to learn from and educates others of their experiences. This would tie into the just completed CMSD strategic plan that has an objective to promote recycling and maximize the use of feasible source reduction and recycling options.

In summary residents have controlled the rising costs of trash service by employing many forms of recycling, reduction and reuse.