Hayward garbage rates increase

The city of Hayward garbage rates will increase as much as 10 percent by March 1.

The previous seven-year agreement between the city and Waste Management expired on May 31, 2014.

The first rate increase on March 1 cannot exceed 10 percent of the total rate from the previous agreement.

Residents previously paid $27.29 for a standard 32-gallon trash, recycling, and yard waste bin for weekly pickup, but the rate will now increase in the new agreement to $30.02.

“After the franchise agreements expired an extension was granted for one year in order for both sides to negotiate a new agreement,” Frank Holland, Community and Media Relations Officer for the city of Hayward said.

According to the city of Hayward in a letter to property owners and ratepayers, “The new franchise agreement includes new services and establishes the rate setting procedures for the seven years of the franchise agreement and for three optional additional years. The recommended agreement includes revised rates that, if approved, will be reflected in the billing statement beginning March 1, 2015.” Additional bulk item collection days and improved bin are some of the new services added by waste management.

The proposed deal will have a three-year option following the seven-year initial agreement. The rates would increase annually, three percent in the first year; three percent in the second year and then up cannot exceed a 10 percent increase in the third year of the new franchise agreement. The final four years of the new deal would have an annual increase with a minimum of three percent and a maximum of six percent.

“Generally, cities negotiate contracts with a hauling service provider or the city has its own waste service department (see Berkeley),” Joe Camero, Senior Communications Specialist for Waste Management said. “Rates vary based on services requested including public education, bulky service, compost giveaways, diversion requirements, etc.”

Despite the increase in rates Hayward residents still pay far less than several other Bay Area cities. In the city of Piedmont the same service is $51.88 monthly while in neighboring Castro Valley the current rate is $36.92 per month. The average monthly fee for a weekly resident pickup in the East Bay is $28.62.

“What the hell else am I going to do? Save up my trash in the back and do a dumps run every so often?” Hayward resident Bruce Carchetti said. “I don’t think so. I’ll pay the few extra dollars and keep my yard maggot free, I just hope these increases don’t get carried away or I’ll have to invest in an incinerator.”