NEW REFUSE BILLING PROCEDURE: Solid Waste Billing Responsibilities Transferring to Waste Management (WM)

Starting July 1, 2020, Waste Management will provide all aspects of solid waste services (including billing) for residential and commercial customers in Manhattan Beach. View the Residential 30 day notice and the Commercial 30 day notice, which provides an overview of the core changes coming to the Waste Management contract beginning July 1, 2020.

What does that mean? 
Customers will receive one bill directly from Waste Management for solid waste (trash) services, and one bill directly from The City of Manhattan Beach for water services. During the months of July and August some residential customers may see a prorated refuse amount on their city water bill – this will be for services provide through June 30, 2020 but billed in July or August. 

What are the new rates for July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021?
Click this link to view the Proposition 218 notice, which includes the NEW RATE SHEETS.  The new rates were mailed to all property owners and rate payers in March 2020 as part of the Proposition 218 process, required by CA law.  The Proposition 218 notice included the rate sheets for all the proposed rates, and a 45-day window was provided for property owners and rate payers to submit a rate protest to the City Clerk.  A Public Hearing occurred on May 12, 2020 and it was determined that the number of protests needed to overturn the rates was not reached (24 protests received, needed 6,000+ to overturn rates).  City Council adopted the rates with an effective date of July 1, 2020. 

How can I pay my bill?
Waste Management provides a variety of payment option such as an online portal for one-time payments, automatic payment set-up using a bank account or credit/debit card or a payment address where check can be mailed. WM also allows for paperless billing (if desired).  The City of Manhattan Beach will provide information as it becomes available in water utility bills or at www.citymb.info/refusebilling, in order to assist with setting up your new Waste Management customer account.

Does the community have to pay a "billing transfer fee" or something extra for this change?
No.  Waste Management agreed at the City Council's February 5, 2020 meeting to take over all billing responsibilities without charging an additional fee for "billing." 

What about my City water bill?  Will that change? 
No.  You will still receive your water bill from the City of Manhattan Beach.  There will be no changes to customer water accounts.  If you are currently enrolled in autopay or paperless billing with the City, that will remain in place. You may continue to making payments and monitor your water account in the same manner that you do today.

If I have more questions?
Click here to visit www.citymb.info/refusebilling to see the latest information on the refuse billing transition.

Beginning July 1, 2020, yard, food and soiled paper waste can be placed in the residential GREEN ORGANICS CART together, mixed, without any bagging.  The residential food waste program will be transitioning to a more traditional residential composting program.  The material collected in the residential green Organics cart (yard, food and soiled paper waste) will be transported to a large composting facility owned by Waste Management. 

GREEN ORGANICS CART CHANGES:

• Yard waste & food waste can be MIXED TOGETHER
• NO bags - do not use ANY plastic bags in the GREEN ORGANICS CART starting July 1, 2020
• If your household would like to contain any smells, wrap food in newspaper or paper waste before depositing in the GREEN ORGANICS CART
• All materials must fit inside the cart with the lid closed

• Grass clippings, leaves, pruning, branches (3" diameter or smaller), brush, garden trimmings and unpainted/untreated wood

*NEW* ACCEPTED FOOD WASTE (green cart):

• All food scraps including fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, eggshells, coffee grounds, small bones, bread, pasta, rice and tea bags

*NEW* ACCEPTED PAPER WASTE (green cart):

• Food-soiled paper including napkins, paper towels, coffee filters, paper plates, greasy pizza boxes and greasy paper bags

NOT ACCEPTED (green cart):

• Do not place palm fronds, pet waste/feces, cat litter, dirt, rocks, concrete, logs or stumps in the green organics cart
• Do not place waxed, coated paper such as paper plates, paper cups or paper takeout containers in the green organics cart
• Do not place liquid, glass, metal, or plastic of ANY kind, including biodegradable/compostable plastic in the green organics cart

Plastics Recycling is changing.  What you can and cannot put in your blue cart or white bin will be different starting July 1, 2020. View the Residential 30 day notice and the Commercial 30 day notice, which provide an overview of the core changes to the Waste Management contract beginning July 1, 2020.

ACCEPTED PLASTICS IN THE BLUE RECYCLING CART OR WHITE RECYCLING BIN:

Beginning July 1, 2020, Plastics #1, #2 and #5 will be ACCEPTED in the recycling cart/bin only

Examples of Plastics ACCEPTED in the recycling cart/bin:

• #1 PETE: Beverage bottles (water, soda, energy drinks), peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles, etc.

• #2 HDPE: Clear milk jugs, detergent bottles, bleach bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic crates, plastic carts, lawn chairs, laundry baskets, etc.

• #5 PP: Tupper ware, yogurt containers, margarine tubs and other refrigerated containers, bottle tops, etc.

UNACCEPTABLE PLASTICS IN THE BLUE RECYCLING CART OR WHITE RECYCLING BIN:

Beginning July 1, 2020, Plastics #3, #4, #6 and #7 will NOT BE ACCEPTED in the blue recycling cart or white recycling bin.  Plastics #3, #4, #6 and #7 must be placed in the gray trash cart.

Examples of Plastics NOT ACCEPTED in the recycling cart/bin:

• #3 V: Food wrap, tile, PVC plumbing pipes, window frames, etc.
  
  
• #4 LDPE: Grocery bags, shrink/cling wrap, garment bags, frozen food bags, sandwich bags, etc.
  
  
• #6 PS: Throwaway utensils, meat packing, protective packing, Styrofoam insulation, packing peanuts, etc.
  
  
• #7 OTHER: Plastic CDs/DVDs, baby bottles, eye glasses, exterior lighting fixtures, etc.

What else can I do with Plastics 3, 4, 6 and 7?
The best thing you can do is avoid purchasing, refuse accepting or don't use them.  Utilize reusables as much as possible.  Donate when you can.

Commercial business recycling (blue carts and white bins) will be provided and serviced at a discounted rate.  Commercial business recycling (blue carts/white bins) will no longer be "free" starting July 1, 2020. The cost of recycling will be 50% of the trash rate for the same cart or bin size.  For example, (1) 65 gallon commercial trash cart serviced one time per week is scheduled for a July 1, 2020 rate of $50.10 per month.  (1) 65 gallon commercial recycling cart serviced one time per week is scheduled for a July 1, 2020 rate of $25.06.

Commercial business food waste carts (green with yellow lid) will continue to be provided at no additional charge.

What are the new rates for July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021?
Click this link to view the Proposition 218 notice, which includes the NEW RATE SHEETS.  The new rates were mailed to all property owners and rate payers in March 2020 as part of the Proposition 218 process, required by CA law.  The Proposition 218 notice included the rate sheets for all the proposed rates, and a 45-day window was provided for property owners and rate payers to submit a rate protest to the City Clerk.  A Public Hearing occurred on May 12, 2020 and it was determined that the number of protests needed to overturn the rates was not reached (24 protests received, needed 6,000+ to overturn rates).  City Council adopted the rates with an effective date of July 1, 2020. 

How can my business reduce the cost of my refuse bill?
There are a couple of ways to save money.  Most importantly, focus on waste prevention, reuse and donation – the less waste your business generates (landfill, recycling, organics, etc.) the less there is to collect and process.  This may allow you to reduce service levels by reducing bin/cart sizes, quantities and collection frequency.  Smaller and fewer bins collected less frequently = savings.  Also, reduce plastics consumption, as several types of plastic will no longer be acceptable in the recycling cart effective July 1, 2020. 

Waste Management will host more FREE Community Paper Shredding Events annually.  The new contract requires WM to host four (4) per calendar year.  Since the new contract begins July 1, 2020 (halfway through the year), Waste Management will host two (2) FREE Community Paper Shredding Events between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

2020 FREE Paper Shredding Events

• The Spring 2020 shredding event has been suspended until further notice due to the COVID-19 crisis.  Waste Management will make up this event at a later date to be determined.
  
• Two (2) additional FREE Paper Shredding Events will be held between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 (pending the COVID-19 crisis has resolved enough to host public events - all dates missed due to COVID-19 will be made up by Waste Management at a later date to be determined).  Sign up for Recycling and Environmental e-notifications or check back on the City calendar for these upcoming dates.

2021 - through the term of the contract

• WM will host four (4) FREE Community Paper Shredding Events each calendar year.  Sign up for Recycling and Environmental e-notifications or check back on the City calendar for these upcoming dates.

Waste Management will increase the number of available FREE bulky-item pick-ups per household or Multi-Family unit to six (6) visits per home/dwelling unit, at three (3) items per visit.  That is a total of 18 items per calendar year per home/dwelling unit.

Under the June 1, 2011 - June 30, 2020 contract, FREE bulky-item pick-ups are limited to three (3) visits at three (3) items per visit (a total of 9 FREE items per calendar year).

Under the NEW contract beginning July 1, 2020, FREE bulky-item pick-ups will be limited to six (6) visits at (3) items per visit (a total of 18 FREE items per calendar year).

How do I get a bulky-item pick-up?  Can't I just leave the items at the curb?
All community members must call Waste Management to schedule their bulky-item pick-ups at (310) 830-7100.  Call WM at least 48 hours prior to your collection day to schedule the pick-up.  WM sends a separate truck (not the regular collection truck) to your home to collect the items, so unless the pick-up is scheduled, WM will not know to arrive at your home.  Items cannot be left at the curb without scheduling a pick-up in the hopes the special vehicle will drive by.  Pick-ups must be scheduled.

What happens if I reach my FREE limit and still need bulky-items picked up?
Residents can still contact Waste Management at (310) 830-7100 to schedule a pick-up, but additional pick-ups will not be free. There is a charge for residential bulky-item pick-ups after the home/dwelling unit has reached its annual limit.

Can my Manhattan Beach commercial business receive bulky-item pick-ups?
WM does provide bulky-item pick-ups for commercial businesses; each item is collected at an additional charge.  The pick-up is scheduled by calling Waste Management at (310) 830-7100.

Waste Management committed to developing a Working Group to address refuse-related needs in the Downtown area that WM can assist with.  Exhibit 11 (see language below) of the new contract outlines some of the topics for the Working Group to develop and discuss:

EXHIBIT 11

DOWNTOWN MAINTENANCE ENHANCEMENT PLAN

Per Section 3.6.9, the following is an outline of topics for the Working Group to develop and discuss:

1. Enhancing What Works Today
   1. Establish and present annual coverage schedule of drivers, technicians, and outreach personnel to Working Group
   2. Establish and present annual event schedules to Working Group
   3. Establish and present site and service maps for Recycling, Food Waste, and Trash Container locations during events to Working Group
   4. Coordinate public information programs with Working Group to inform visitors to Manhattan Beach of the sustainability goals and how they can join the effort to keep Manhattan Beach and the Pacific Ocean clean
   5. Establish regular meeting schedule with Working Group that includes regular meetings, planning meetings with select member per event, and post-event debrief meetings
   6. Modify service delivery plans according to input from stakeholders as appropriate

       

2. Change Options
   1. Identifying staging areas for bins and vehicles during large events to facilitate continuous emptying of containers with minimal traffic interference
   2. Identify permanent staging areas for vehicles and containers to facilitate more efficient service on a regular basis.
   3. Incorporate Recycling and Trash Collection planning in Downtown Circulation plans put in place for events and weekends that would provide established travel routes for Company service vehicles
   4. Develop a temporary enhanced container placement and removal plan with the Working Group that would be implemented during high visitor periods and events to provide greater access to Recycling and Trash Containers.
   5. Expand the approved hours of service to allow for earlier access by Company service vehicles, and establish pilot program using plastic commercial containers to reduce noise form the dumping process
   6. Facilitate steam cleaning as needed for individual businesses

Highland Avenue is a major thoroughfare in Manhattan Beach.  It's busy all day; however, there are peak commuting times and segments of Highland Ave. where traffic can be delayed due to refuse collection to the residents and businesses on Highland Ave.  To address this matter formally, the new solid waste contract lists Waste Management collection restriction times for residential and commercial customers along Highland Ave.

Northbound Highland Ave. between 15^th St to 45^th St.: Collection will not take place between 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM.

Southbound Highland Ave. between 45th St. and 15th St.: Collection will not take place on Highland Ave. between 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

Note: Site and route-specific exemptions may be made to this limitation by the City’s Director of Public Works, to the extent that the exemptions are not in conflict with the Municipal Code.

Waste Management will offer a 20 gallon GREY TRASH CART for residential customers starting July 1, 2020.  Those who may benefit from the smaller size are households who do not fill up a 35 gallon trash cart each week, smaller households, those who find a 35 gallon cart to be too large to transfer or those with spatial constraints (such as the Sand Section). 

As residents continue to focus on waste reduction and recycling, the need for a smaller, 20 gallon gray trash cart may arise.

Note: Blue Recycling and Green Organics carts will still be offered in 35, 65 and 95 gallon sizes only.

All schools in Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) and Manhattan Beach private schools (preschool through 12th grade) will continue to receive FREE recycling carts, bins and collection service from Waste Management through the term of the new contract. 

Green Organics carts and collection services (yard and food waste) will continue to be offered at no additional charge.

All incoming MBUSD 1st grade students will receive a reusable lunch kit from Waste Management as part of the City's contract.  The purpose is to establish habits of reuse and conservation, avoiding disposable materials as much as possible.