Taking care of the environment has some amazing benefits. Unfortunately, sometimes it also has some drawbacks. Culver City residents and businesses will be experiencing one of the downfalls of some environmental programs as they see their refuse bills increasing this summer. The increase is due to a new California law requiring municipalities to implement organic waste programs.
Cal Recycle defines organic waste as “food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste.”
Businesses and residents can expect their bills to go up at least 7% over the next three years, according to City Hall. The increases should impact most of the Culver City Real Estate area.
The City Council approved updating fees for recycling, refuse, and organics beginning on July 1st of this year and going through June of 2020. Notices of the potential rate hike were mailed last week. However, the council will be holding a public hearing on July 24 at 7 p.m. at City Hall for the public to attend and discuss the increase. Martin Feinberg, Culver City Realtor, encourages those affected to attend.
The last time city refuse rates went up was in 2015, when they increased 3%. Since then, the cost of composting organic waste now costs 50% more than putting it in a landfill. When that happens, city rates must go up as well to offset those costs.
California cities are moving towards recycling organic material, despite the added cost, because new state regulations are requiring them to do so. Senate Bill 1826, past in October of 2014, requires municipalities to recycle certain amounts of organic waste per week. The decomposition of organic waste in landfills is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, which scientists believe contributes to climate change. Organic waste regulations help California stay a leader on reducing gas emissions.
Martin Feinberg, Realtor, reminds everyone that new rates can be viewed at www.culvercity.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=8164. Residents can also call the Public Words Department at 310-253-6400 for more information.