State mandates 3 separate containers for waste for all cities
Avalon residents will have to separate their trash, their recyclables, and their organic waste into three separate containers, according to Julie Barreda of Avalon Environmental Services (a CR&R Incorporated Company).
Some Island residents have been confused about what to put out and when under the new waste collection program on the Island. Avalon Environmental Services provided the City Council with a presentation on the subject on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Barreda said in the past, everything went into the same container. According to Barreda, that is no longer allowed under SB 1383. The bill became law in 2016. California Senate Bill 1383 requires all cities to reduce the organic (yard and food) waste sent to landfills by 75% by 2025, according to Barreda. The goal of the legislation, according to Barreda, is to reduce methane emissions.
According to Barreda, if you have service on Mondays and Thursday, your trash will be picked up Mondays; your organic waste and recyclables will be picked up on Thursdays. If you have service on Tuesdays and Fridays, your trash will be picked up on Tuesdays; your organic waste and recycling will be picked up on Fridays.
Later in the meeting, Mayor Anni Marshall asked if dog waste was considered organic.
Barreda said dog waste goes in the garbage. Every city in the state is dealing with this issue. For example, Seal Beach has not yet begun a public outreach.
Barreda said the service sent out letters and cards in October. She said to date (apparently meaning the night of the council meeting), the company had received 254 responses.
Later, Marshall said that was not a good response rate.
Barreda said they get more calls every day from people asking for recycling pails.
Councilmember Lisa Lavelle said she had asked for an educational campaign and got a piece of paper. Lavelle said it did not feel like everyone was educated. Lavelle said it felt like Avalon was catching up.
Lavelle asked if the presentation could be made available in Spanish.
Councilmember Michael Ponce said that vacation rental owners who are not are the island were not getting the information. Ponce said they had no idea of the change.
Barreda said she shared the frustration. Barreda said it was shocking that people never got or are just receiving messages that were dropped off a month ago.
Marshall said she never got a post card. Marshall suggested having someone provide the information at the Catholic church.
In related news, Barreda said adding a wall to Avalon’s landfill could add 25 years to the life of the local landfill. Barreda reminded everyone that the landfill currently has a remaining life expectancy of seven years.
