Proposed San Mateo Waste Ordinance

From the Desk of

Michael Ross

ssorleahcim@comcast.net – 916.923.2215

TITLE: The Pay As You Go Waste Collection Ordinance of 2025

PROBLEM:

The City of San Mateo provides essential services to its residents, including mandatory refuse/garbage collection. Currently, residents are charged a collection fee based on the size of their collection containers, measured in gallons, rather than the actual weight of refuse collected. This outdated system leads to inefficiencies and unnecessary costs for residents because:

• Fees are based on container size, not actual use, causing overpayment.
• Residents are charged even when containers are not full or not placed for collection.
• The system lacks incentives to conserve, compost, or recycle.
• Modern technology now allows for weight-based pricing, which was previously unavailable.

EXAMPLE:

San Mateo provides residents with containers for recycling, garbage, and yard waste in different sizes measured in gallons. Residents are charged based on container size regardless of how full the containers are. Many containers on collection days are half-empty or unused, yet full fees are charged. This practice leads to overcharging and fails to encourage waste reduction or conservation.

FINDINGS:
The City of San Mateo finds:

1. The current system charges residents for waste collection based on container size (gallons), regardless of the actual weight or amount of waste disposed of.
2. This system incentivizes neither waste reduction nor efficient recycling and composting practices.
3. Many residents are overpaying for waste services when containers are partially filled or not used at all on scheduled collection days.
4. Modern technology, including scales on refuse trucks and RFID/barcode tracking, allows for accurate weight-based billing.
5. Transitioning to a weight-based system aligns with the City’s sustainability goals and sets a precedent for innovative waste management practices.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Under the current waste collection practices in San Mateo:

• Residents are billed based on the size of waste containers, not on the actual weight of garbage, leading to unfair charges.
• Consumers are charged regardless of whether their containers are full, partially full, or empty.
• The lack of financial incentives for waste reduction discourages conservation, composting, and recycling efforts.
• Current practices are outdated and fail to utilize available technological advancements in waste management.

SOLUTION:
The City of San Mateo shall implement the Pay-As-You-Go Waste Collection Ordinance, which requires:

1. Transition to Weight-Based Billing:
   • Waste collection companies operating within the City of San Mateo must charge consumers based on the actual weight of refuse collected (measured in pounds), rather than container size (measured in gallons).
2. Implementation of Modern Technology:
   • Require waste collection vehicles to be equipped with scales to measure the weight of refuse at the point of collection.
   • Equip all waste collection containers (garbage, recycling, and yard waste) with RFID tags or barcodes that can be scanned by collection vehicles to record customer information and the weight of refuse collected.
3. Consumer Billing Adjustments:
   • Offer consumers reduced or no-charge billing for collection periods where containers are not placed curbside for pick-up (e.g., when garden waste or recyclables are not collected).
4. Incentives for Conservation and Recycling:
   • Provide financial incentives for consumers who reduce waste production or consistently recycle and compost.
   • Introduce education programs to inform residents of conservation practices and ways to lower their waste collection bills.
5. Timeline for Implementation:
   • Waste collection companies must initiate planning and stakeholder discussions within one year of the ordinance’s enactment.
   • Full implementation of weight-based collection and billing systems must occur within three years of the ordinance’s enactment.
6. Compliance:
   • Refuse collection companies that fail to meet the ordinance’s requirements within the statutory timeline will be prohibited from charging for collection services unless exempted by the City Council or courts.

JUSTIFICATION:

1. Environmental Benefits:
   • Encourages waste reduction and conservation by tying consumer costs directly to the volume of waste they produce.
   • Reduces landfill use and promotes recycling and composting, helping the City meet its sustainability goals.
2. Economic Benefits:
   • Provides consumers with fair pricing for waste collection services, enabling significant cost savings.
   • Drives innovation in waste management technology, potentially creating local jobs and setting a model for other municipalities.
3. Equity and Fairness:
   • Ensures residents pay only for the services they use, fostering trust and transparency in municipal waste services.

SUPPORT:
This ordinance is likely to gain support from:

• Residents seeking fairer billing practices.
• Environmental advocacy groups.
• Companies producing waste management technology (e.g., scales, RFID systems).
• Some waste collection companies aiming to align with modern practices.

POTENTIAL OPPOSITION:
This ordinance may face opposition from:

• Waste collection companies concerned about implementation costs and impacts on existing contracts.
• Municipal departments reliant on waste collection fees to fund other services.

IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Partnerships:
   • Collaborate with waste management companies, technology providers, and environmental organizations to develop and implement the weight-based billing system.
   • Explore grants or tax incentives to offset initial costs for waste collection companies.
2. Public Education Campaign:
   • Launch an outreach program to educate residents on the benefits of the new system, how to reduce waste, and ways to save money under the ordinance.
3. Pilot Program:
   • Conduct a pilot program in select neighborhoods to test the system, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments before citywide implementation.

PUBLICITY:
The City of San Mateo will:

• Highlight this ordinance as a cutting-edge approach to waste management using Silicon Valley innovation.
• Promote its environmental and financial benefits to residents through community forums, social media, and local media outlets.
• Emphasize San Mateo’s leadership in setting a state and national precedent for sustainable waste practices.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. For Consumers:
   • Anticipated savings on waste collection fees as consumers pay only for the waste they generate.
2. For the City:
   • Potential short-term revenue losses due to reduced collection fees.
   • Long-term savings from reduced landfill costs and improved waste management efficiency.
3. For Waste Collection Companies:
   • Initial investments in technology and vehicle upgrades may be offset by operational efficiencies and increased consumer satisfaction.

ORDINANCE TEXT:
SECTION 1: Title
This ordinance shall be known as the “Pay-As-You-Go Waste Collection Ordinance of 2025.”

SECTION 2: Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to modernize waste collection practices in the City of San Mateo, ensuring fair and transparent billing, reducing landfill use, and promoting sustainability.

SECTION 3: Requirements
a) Within one year, refuse collection services contracting with San Mateo must submit a plan to transition to weight-based billing.

1. b) Waste collection companies must transition to weight-based billing systems within three years of this ordinance’s enactment.
   c) All collection vehicles must be equipped with technology to weigh refuse and record data by address.
   d) RFID or barcode tracking must be implemented for all waste containers.
   e) Consumers shall not be charged for collection services when containers are not placed curbside for pick-up.

SECTION 4: Enforcement
Non-compliant companies will be prohibited from charging fees for waste collection services.

SECTION 5: Effective Date
This ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its adoption.