California is now experiencing a climate crisis, partially due to increased greenhouse gases. SB 1383, a statewide effort to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses, requires all California cities and towns, including Yucca Valley, to reduce organic waste sent to landfills by 75% and recover surplus edible food to feed Californians facing food insecurity. In addition, there will be changes in how organic waste is collected and processed.
To accommodate the new way of collecting and processing trash, including new residential curbside carts and commercial bins, new trash trucks, new disposal technologies and capacities, new handling equipment, and transportation, Burrtec is increasing trash handling charges. The Town and Burrtec, over the last few years, have worked to keep rates low in anticipation of the additional costs to residents. As a result, the Yucca Valley town government has been picking up some of the costs.
Jessica Rice, Senior Management Analyst of the Town of Yucca Valley, said, “Because having trash collection services in cities is necessary for the general health of the community, the Health and Safety Code allows cities to place these charges for solid waste services on the property tax roll to be collected at the same time as property taxes, but they are not a tax. It is a charge for service. These rates are established and implemented by the Town’s franchise solid waste provider, Burrtec. The Town works with Burrtec to understand the rates being charged and to advocate for the lowest possible rates for Town residents for this service. With the implementation of SB 1383, there are more services necessary to comply with the State’s mandate; therefore, Burrtec must increase its rates accordingly. This is being done in all cities and counties across the State due to the mandatory implementation of SB 1383. Most cities are seeing an increase in the range of 30% – 50% in order to comply with the State’s mandate.”
As the new requirements come into effect and begin rolling out in January, the additional costs will be phased in by Burrtec over the next two to three years through increased residential and commercial rates as the program is fully implemented. For the 2023-2024 tax year, Burrtec’s tax roll billing rate for the most common 95-gallon residential service is increasing from $21.11 to $27.33 monthly. This rate reflects six months of organics collection, starting in January 2024 through June 2024. Burrtec estimates that the same service rate will increase from $27.33 to approximately $33.00.
Besides the cost increase, how you will recycle food waste will change and include new carts.
Burrtec will gradually roll out new carts that meet state color-coding requirements. Instead of the burgundy and gray carts residents use to separate trash and recycling, the new carts will be green, blue, and gray. The green cart will be for organic materials, the blue cart for traditional recycling, and the new gray cart for trash.
• Green Container – Organics: Food waste, yard waste, green waste, and other organic materials.
• Blue Container – Recyclables: Bottles, cans, plastic, paper, and cardboard.
• Gray Container (with trash label) – Trash: Limited to waste that is not organic or recyclable.
The new containers will roll out in the coming years and be fully implemented by the 2036 deadline.
Residents requiring a new service or a replacement can with Burrtec will receive the new cart system. Further implementation will include the addition of green carts being distributed to all residents once the Town’s organic program is implemented. Meanwhile, Burrtec customers with burgundy and gray carts will continue using them as usual until they are swapped. All new carts will have labels stating which cart should be used for trash, recycling, and organics.
For more information, check the Town of Yucca Valley website at www.yucca-valley.org
