NORTHWEST : LOS ALAMITOS : Trash Firm to Begin Incentive Program

Starting next month, Briggeman Disposal will pick up trash in 35-gallon containers under a pay-less-for-less-trash program that is expected to encourage residents to recycle more.

Residents will pay $9.95 monthly under the plan approved by the City Council after a public hearing this week, according to Assistant City Manager Gerard Goedhart.

Goedhart said only a small portion of the city’s 1,940 single-family households are expected to use the 35-gallon containers, but it will be an incentive for residents to generate less trash.

Currently, residents use either a 100-gallon container, which costs $12.56 monthly, or a 60-gallon can that costs $11.31 a month. About 100 households use the 60-gallon containers, the assistant city manager said.

City officials have encouraged residents to recycle and generate less trash to comply with a state law that requires cities to minimize the use of landfills.

Under a state law passed in 1989, cities must reduce 25% of their solid waste by 1995. By the year 2000, the reduction rate should be 50%. Failure to comply would result in daily fines of $10,000.

Briggeman Disposal next month will start free collection of green waste. Residents may drop off green waste or yard clippings at Briggeman Disposal’s facility from 7 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday of the month.

Owner George S. Briggeman said the green-waste program will be implemented until the city develops a curbside green-waste program.