The vote allows City Manager Miguel Márquez to enter into a contract, which will supply the city with 32, 64, and 96-gallon containers used in Pasadena’s “Pay as You Throw” residential refuse collection program.
Since 1993, Pasadena has purchased its refuse containers exclusively from Toter, the only manufacturer producing rotationally molded containers that meet the city’s fabrication standards. Approximately 90,000 containers are currently in use across Pasadena neighborhoods, with many still serving residents after nearly two decades.
The rotational molding process used by Toter results in stronger, longer-lasting containers compared to the more common injection-molded versions. Although injection-molded bins are slightly cheaper—about 3 to 7 percent less—they tend to crack and fail earlier, lasting less than half as long as rotationally molded containers.
The purchase will be made through a cooperative agreement with OMNIA Partners under a competitively awarded contract issued by the City of Tucson, Arizona. This allows Pasadena to benefit from high-volume pricing without conducting its own bidding process.
Funding will come from the existing Refuse Fund within the Public Works Department’s Resource Recovery and Recycling Division, with no impact to the General Fund.
Maintaining a single, durable container standard has streamlined repairs, reduced costs, and ensured consistent service for residents. The new containers will allow the city to replace damaged bins, accommodate size changes, and respond more quickly to customer requests.
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