FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 31, 2013 
Mindy Linetzky, Department of Public Works, (415) 554-4829

RATE BOARD APPROVES NEW GARBAGE RATES 
Rates effective immediately

San Francisco, CA – On July 30, the Refuse Rate Board finalized a rate increase for residential refuse-collection service. Starting August 1, a typical household in San Francisco with three 32-gallon bins (black trash, green composting and blue recycling) will see a monthly rate increase of $6.17, from $27.91 to $34.08.

On the other hand, if a household switches from a 32-gallon to a smaller 20-gallon black trash bin, their monthly rate will go down to $24.68. The decrease is an incentive for residents to recycle and compost more to support the City’s goal of achieving zero waste by 2020.

Also under the new rate order, Recology, San Francisco’s permitted refuse-collection and processing company, is expanding their bulky item collection to include picking up illegal dumping from streets and sidewalks. San Francisco households are encouraged to make free bulky item pick-up bulky item pick-up appointments for large and unusable items at www.recologysf.com.

The process for determining refuse collection rates is explicitly spelled out under the 1932 Refuse Collection and Disposal Initiative Ordinance. Last March, Recology submitted a request to increase the monthly rate for a typical household to $34.51. For the past several months, staff from the Department of Public Works and the Department of the Environment has conducted a thorough review of Recology’s application, tested rate model calculations and assumptions, and held two public workshops, seven Director’s hearings and five Rate Board hearings.

In addition, the City contracted with a “ratepayer advocate” to assist the public during the rate proceedings. The ratepayer advocate provided the public with clear and accurate information regarding the proposed new rate structure; helped individuals and organizations formulate comments and questions; and represented the views of the ratepayers during public workshops and hearings.

The board is made up of the City Administrator, the City Controller and the general manager of the Public Utilities Commission.

The Rate Board resolution, final rate orders, reports, rate application and details on the review and approval process can be found online at www.sfdpw.org/refuserates.

###