 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Current Issue Links
The long-awaited option out of the city’s formerly mandatory trash and recycling collection program has
already allowed nearly 800 residents to haul their own rubbish. But the city remains under probation from Cal-
Recycles, which demands an increase in diversion of recyclables from the waste stream from Ridgecrest
property owners.
already allowed nearly 800 residents to haul their own rubbish. But the city remains under probation from Cal-
Recycles, which demands an increase in diversion of recyclables from the waste stream from Ridgecrest
property owners.
Forms at City Hall and online at www.ci.ridgecrest.ca.us have for two weeks been available to residential
property owners, allowing an option out of the trash hauling, recycling or both services provided by Benz
Sanitation. As of Monday evening, the city reported that 364 residents had opted out of recycling, 52 had opted
out of trash, and 373 had opted out of both.
City Manager Kurt Wilson said that those who have filed to drop services will have those changes reflected
in their bills from Benz.
In addition to the names of self-haulers, the city had intended to also provide Benz a list of delinquent
accounts to stop service. He said that has been delayed until the city has cleaned up errors in the billing list.
That delay is primarily to accommodate property owners who are inaccurately listed as delinquent.
For self-haulers, “the concept is that the recycling portion still has to happen,” said Wilson. “Essentially,
just because you no longer have Benz collecting doesn’t mean you can let things pile up.”
State health and safety codes require waste to be hauled on a weekly basis. But the figure most import to
the state is the amount of recycling being separated out from trash, he said.
In addition to CRV metals, plastics and glass, self-haulers are expected to divert those same materials
without cash-in value, plus clean paper and cardboard. Self-haulers so far have the option of taking those to
the city’s drop-off point on West Ridgecrest Boulevard or one of the local recycling businesses.
City staff has reached a stalemate in negotiations with Benz and Kern County, which owns and operates
the local landfill, in placing a recycling point at the dump. But Wilson warned that recyclables must be dropped
at one of the designated centers before waste is hauled to the landfill.
“We don’t want to be Big Brother,” said Wilson. “But our intention is to meet the directives of Cal-Recycles.”
The city’s formula, which showed that Ridgecrest was in compliance with the state standard of 50-percent
or more diversion from the waste stream, was discredited by Cal-Recycles predecessor California Integrated
Waste Management Board. The state formula showed local diversion rates in the 35-percent range.
If the city fails to achieve the state target, Ridgecrest is susceptible to steep fines from the state, and may
also be resubjected to a mandatory program.
The original timeline stated that Cal-Recycles would start evaluating progress Dec. 31. Wilson said that
because of changes in the program and other setbacks, the state has been flexible about that date.
“They are working with us. Ultimately, they want to see us succeed.”
A key component in raising the diversion citywide is going to be through community education, he said.
“Why we recycle, the impact of not recycling, knowing how to sort your trash — there is a lot of information to
get out. For people who weren’t already in the habit of recycling, we are going to have an education process
available,” said Wilson.
“The good part about this, if there is a good part, is that this is not a problem specific to Ridgecrest.
Everyone in the state faces this problem.” He said staff has been working with other cities to find solutions to
the challenges facing our city.
“We’re not an island — we can go out and find out how other cities have successfully resolved things.”
property owners, allowing an option out of the trash hauling, recycling or both services provided by Benz
Sanitation. As of Monday evening, the city reported that 364 residents had opted out of recycling, 52 had opted
out of trash, and 373 had opted out of both.
City Manager Kurt Wilson said that those who have filed to drop services will have those changes reflected
in their bills from Benz.
In addition to the names of self-haulers, the city had intended to also provide Benz a list of delinquent
accounts to stop service. He said that has been delayed until the city has cleaned up errors in the billing list.
That delay is primarily to accommodate property owners who are inaccurately listed as delinquent.
For self-haulers, “the concept is that the recycling portion still has to happen,” said Wilson. “Essentially,
just because you no longer have Benz collecting doesn’t mean you can let things pile up.”
State health and safety codes require waste to be hauled on a weekly basis. But the figure most import to
the state is the amount of recycling being separated out from trash, he said.
In addition to CRV metals, plastics and glass, self-haulers are expected to divert those same materials
without cash-in value, plus clean paper and cardboard. Self-haulers so far have the option of taking those to
the city’s drop-off point on West Ridgecrest Boulevard or one of the local recycling businesses.
City staff has reached a stalemate in negotiations with Benz and Kern County, which owns and operates
the local landfill, in placing a recycling point at the dump. But Wilson warned that recyclables must be dropped
at one of the designated centers before waste is hauled to the landfill.
“We don’t want to be Big Brother,” said Wilson. “But our intention is to meet the directives of Cal-Recycles.”
The city’s formula, which showed that Ridgecrest was in compliance with the state standard of 50-percent
or more diversion from the waste stream, was discredited by Cal-Recycles predecessor California Integrated
Waste Management Board. The state formula showed local diversion rates in the 35-percent range.
If the city fails to achieve the state target, Ridgecrest is susceptible to steep fines from the state, and may
also be resubjected to a mandatory program.
The original timeline stated that Cal-Recycles would start evaluating progress Dec. 31. Wilson said that
because of changes in the program and other setbacks, the state has been flexible about that date.
“They are working with us. Ultimately, they want to see us succeed.”
A key component in raising the diversion citywide is going to be through community education, he said.
“Why we recycle, the impact of not recycling, knowing how to sort your trash — there is a lot of information to
get out. For people who weren’t already in the habit of recycling, we are going to have an education process
available,” said Wilson.
“The good part about this, if there is a good part, is that this is not a problem specific to Ridgecrest.
Everyone in the state faces this problem.” He said staff has been working with other cities to find solutions to
the challenges facing our city.
“We’re not an island — we can go out and find out how other cities have successfully resolved things.”
Self-haulers still under diversion mandate
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
