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.