New trash cans on the way

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- Costa Mesa Disposal will deliver new trash cans to five

city neighborhoods tentatively beginning July 1.

The sanitary district board unanimously approved the standardized

trash containers Thursday afternoon after more than three years of work.

“It’s been a long time coming, but the end result is we’re doing it

right,” board member Dan Worthington said after the vote Thursday. “While

there are no guarantees that everything will be perfect, this is going to

be done as well as I think it can be done.”

Worthington, who suggested standardized containers to the rest of the

board more than three years ago, said the uniform, forest green cans with

hinged lids will keep Costa Mesa beautiful on trash days, keep animals

from eating scraps left in the trash and keep future rates down by making

trash collection safer for workers and, in turn, reducing disability and

liability.

Residents, who previously opposed the program because of concerns that

extra trash would not be picked up, seniors and the disabled would not be

able to move 60-gallon containers and additional fees would be added to

pay for additional cans, say they are now happy with the program.

“I would like to commend the board and staff for listening to the

public,” resident Ernie Feeney said at the meeting. “I think there have

been some changes that address most of our concerns . . . Thank you.”

Residents will be given their choice of as many free green 60- and

90-gallon containers as they need, and 35-gallon containers will be

available for those unable to move the larger cans.

Costa Mesa Disposal has also committed to picking up trash outside the

containers, but requested that residents ask for additional cans if they

have excess trash regularly.

Information: (714) 754-5087.

THE FIRST TO GET THE NEW TRASH CANS

The new trash containers will be delivered on trash day beginning with

Route 11 the week of July 1. These neighborhoods are in Route 11.

Trash day: MONDAY

Neighborhood bordered by Wilson Street, Pomona Avenue, Victoria Street

and Harbor Boulevard

Trash day: TUESDAY

Neighborhood bordered by 19th Street, Whittier Avenue, Orange Avenue

and Commercial Way

Trash day: WEDNESDAY

Neighborhood bordered by Santa Ana Avenue, Wilson Street, Orange

Avenue and Del Mar Avenue

Trash day: THURSDAY

Neighborhood bordered by Adams Avenue, Placentia Avenue, Swan Drive

and the Santa Ana River

Trash Day: FRIDAY

Neighborhood bordered by Sunflower Avenue, South Coast Drive, Fairview

Road and Fuschia Street