Duarte : Trash Rate Hike OKd

The city has granted a rate increase to Best Disposal Co., which will raise the monthly curbside pickup charge for trash from $6.32 to $7.14.

Under the agreement, the company will pick up unlimited amounts of trash from households as well as such large items as furniture. Rate increases for the remaining eight years of the contract will be based on a cost-of-living formula that takes into account such factors as labor, vehicle maintenance, insurance and dump fees, said Don Pruyn, finance director.

The agreement also calls for Best to develop a curbside recycling program by Sept. 1. Residents, on a voluntary basis, would separate items that could be recycled, such as cans, bottles and newspapers, from their other trash.

The city has budgeted $50,000 a year for the program to pay Best the extra cost of keeping the trash separate but hopes to recoup some of the cost through sale of the recyclables.