Pasadena Public Works Proposes Yearly Increase in Refuse Collection Rates By as Much as 52% Beginning July

The City’s Public Works Department is proposing increases in refuse collection fees which would be effective starting July 1 of this year. 

As per the proposal, the new rates will increase by 7% each fiscal year from 2026-2029 to adjust for inflation.

City staff said the increase is needed as current rates are not generating enough revenue to keep up with operational cost increases and capital expenses. 

“We’ve been having some issues with our refuse funds in terms of the expenses being more than the revenue that we are collecting,” said Public Works Director Tony Olmos. 

David Davis, from solid waste consulting firm MSW Consultants said factors causing upward pressure on rates include the SB 1383 State organics recycling regulations, the closure of Scholl Canyon Landfill and the capital expenditures on replacement trucks and containers.

The city has two types of customers: residential and commercial, and has two types of services provided, which are the cart service and the bin service. 

According to Davis, commercial rates are adjusted yearly by CPI but the residential rates have not been adjusted since 2012 and it needs to be increased in order for the city to generate the amount of revenue it needs. 

Currently, residential customers that have a 32-gallon refuse cart are paying $16.29 for waste disposal. The proposal increases the rate to $24.76 for the first year of the implementation of the rate increase. By 2028, customers will have to pay $32.46 for this service.

Residents who have a 60-gallon refuse cart who are currently paying $26.44 will need to pay $35.19 this year and those who have a 100-gallon refuse cart currently paying $40.99 will have to pay $46.61 if the proposal gets approved. 

The rates for residential bin service are also being proposed to be increased.

Residents who have one bin picked up once a week who is currently paying  a disposal cost of $124.70 will have to pay $249.92 while those who have their bin picked up twice a week who are paying $202.36 will have to pay $499.84 under the new rates. 

Those who have two bins collected once a week paying $171.91 will have to pay $425.39 while those with two bins collected twice per week currently paying $264.17 will have to pay $850.79, as per the proposal. 

The staff is proposing a decrease in monthly disposal cost for commercial cart service. 

Commercial customers who have a 32-gallon refuse cart who are currently paying $26.22 will pay $24.76 while those who have a 60 gallon refuse cart currently paying $42.58 will have to pay $35.19.

Those who have a 100-gallon refuse cart paying $66.02 will have to pay $46.61.

“The commercial rates have been increased by CPI over the years so we’re already a little bit higher,” explained Olmos. “It turns out the CPI over collected in some cases.”

While there will be a decrease in disposal costs for cart service, staff is proposing an increase in rates for commercial bin service. 

A commercial customer paying $206.05 to get their bin collected once a week will have to pay $249.92. Twice weekly collection of one bin which currently cost $341.68 will be adjusted to $499.84 while thrice a week collection rate currently at $477.30 will be adjusted to $749.76.

Customers who have two bins collected per week who currently pays $296.60 will have to pay $425.39 while those who have two bins collected twice weekly currently paying $523.37 will have to pay $850.79.

At the meeting Councilmember Tyron Hampton remarked that the proposed refuse rates increase will be implemented at the same time as the implementation of the proposed sewer fee increase. 

He said the Municipal Services Committee should look at the increases holistically. 

“If we look at the one piece at the top, it doesn’t seem like much but when you add them all up together, this is significant,” Hampton remarked. 

“After the public hearings, we should look at the total bill,” said Councilmember Felicia Williams. 

Community outreach for the proposed increase will be held from February to March. 

The Municipal Services Committee approved the setting of a City Council hearing for the refuse collection fee increases for April 8 at 5:30 p.m.