For Modesto residents, the New Year is already more troublesome and more expensive, and it’s only just begun. The new one percent sales tax increase and higher garbage collection rates are bad enough. Then there’s the new recycling program and its complicated disposal system.
As the city’s website says, all residences must have three large waste cans — blue, black, and green — even though they may have space enough for only two. Furthermore, residents who fail to comply with the new rules will be subject to increasing fine amounts beginning at $250. A city employee will rummage through people’s trashcans looking for violations.
Waste in the wrong can might result in a fine. If the new blue recycle can is determined to be too dirty, the resident will be ordered to clean it or face a fine. Residents are also required to clean waste for the blue bins in certain circumstances. This is one instance in which wasting water will be encouraged.
When distributed at the end of December, the new blue bins included a list of items for each of the three cans. The problem is the list is incomplete. You have to go to the city’s web site for a more complete list. Citizens may have to call city staff with questions regarding items not listed on the web site.
There’s a fourth category of waste that can’t be placed into any of the three cans — toxic waste. Citizens must remember the list of toxic waste items or risk being fined for misplacing those items.
The last time I went to the Stanislaus County toxic waste disposal site, it was only open for a few hours on one day a week. The hours coincided with most working hours. At the site, a staff worker told me that about half the items I brought were NOT considered toxic waste.
The Blue Can
The blue cans were distributed several weeks ago. Many residents did not get the message about bi-weekly pickups, so packed blue cans are on curbs all over town.
When they decided how to implement the state mandate to increase solid waste diversions, the Modesto City Council and staff didn’t seem to remember the failed curbside waste program of the 1990s. Back in those days, recycle material was routinely stolen from the collection buckets to the extent that very little remained.
This time around, with clean cardboard included in the blue can, perhaps more will be collected, but will the volume be enough to justify the extra can? Moreover, a new problem has been created regarding the Green Can.
Changed Green Can Collection Schedule
Now that the Green Can will be emptied every other week, residents who have been filling their cans weekly will have their monthly capacity cut in half. This will force more green waste into the streets when the Green Can is full.
Another requirement of the Green Can is for kitchen waste, which stinks as it decomposes. Residents have said that the stench emanating from the green cans after two weeks will be overwhelming, especially in the summer months.
Plastic bags can’t be used in the Green Can, so the smell won’t be contained. Expect compliance with this requirement to be low.
What About The Black Can?
The State of California mandate is that more than seventy percent of the garbage stream must be diverted to recycling. Ergo, no more than thirty percent of garbage should end up in the black can in order to meet the mandate.
Let’s do some math, based on a random “average” amount of waste.
The black can will be collected every week. Only one other can will be put out each week with the black can. Theoretically, fifty percent of each week’s garbage collection capacity will be in the black can. If only thirty percent of a resident’s garbage should go into the black can, the black can may never be filled to capacity, unless total garbage amount exceeds our “average” amount of waste. In that case, leftover garbage will accumulate without an alternate means of disposal.
By allowing inadequate capacity in the green can due to the reduced collection schedule, some residents may choose to dump green waste into the black can rather than wait until the monthly street pick up. Residents are not supposed to dump green waste into the street until the day before the expected pick up, but who wants to store stinky green waste on their property for up to four weeks?
The collection schedule defeats the purpose of adding the third can for recycling. To encourage more recycling, green waste recyclables should be collected more often and the black can collected less often.
Wil Modesto’s new collection policy work for its residents or will the residents suffer from poor planning by city government? Time will tell.
My wife and I are retired. We don’t discard much trash. I put out the black trash can every other week, sometimes even every third week. My backyard has lots of trees and plants, so usually I put out the green can every week.
This is the dumbest thing ever …. On top of doing the work of the garbage company they are charging the residents of Modesto more …. Who are these people and where are their heads??.
Their heads are up their ass.
AMEN
As I understand it, cities and counties who are strapped for money, like to mandate fines, as an additional resource collection gimmick.
Bertolotti does come by and inspect cans, and leave warning notices. I recall one such incident, when grass clippings got so hot they clumped at the bottom of the green bin, and started to smell after weeks of not fully emptying.
It was not at all easy to loosen up the old grass so it emptied out into their truck, instead of stay in the green bin. I can see how difficult it would be for those disabled.
I would not count on just receiving a warning notice. Perhaps one per residence. Yet, not our call, is it?
I couldn’t agree more! Just another expensive green debacle.
Well said. Plus
1. Thuis makes things much harder on older and disabled people. Cleaning the cans and cleaning recyclables. SERIOUSLY! Plus having to handle garbage multiple times.
2. Who wants to take up valuable refrigerator space if you don’t want to store your organic waste in the open to attract cockroaches and rats. To say nothing of the smell.
I agree totally, My husband has Alzheimer’s this means I’m going to have to monitor him more to see what he throws away! Making my life MORE difficult!!!
Let me get this right, we can put can an plastic milk jugs and glass jars in the blue can, but only if we waste water and rinse them out. Aren’t we suppose to be saving water. Next you will suggest I put the stuff in the tub and clean then while I clean myself or save my rinse water from the washing machine to do it.
If folks follow directions it should work. We have many who do not follow directions. Should reduce landfill impact some as mandated by the State. Having the green can picked up every other week doesn’t make me happy. I fill it a lot with cardboard and green waste I determine to be unclean. Most of my green waste is composted including kitchen waste. I can see the issues that will develop.
Most cities pick up all three bns every week.
I’d like it better if the city would make the rules clear, UP FRONT, instead of making me figure it out.
I would like a detailed list of what can he placed in each can. Also the hazard waste place needs to he open more hours or provide a place closer to town. How about biodegadable bags for food in green cans? 😲
Hmm, many other states and communities have same policies and their landfills have survived. I’m curious Why some people feel that they’re special and don’t need to care about the world’s environments.
Example: smog requirements in large cities but not rural communities. Those pollutant vehicles travel to these very cities, drive and pollute and why? It’s the same environment for 8 billion people.
Well said, Sherri
I agree Sherri.
In Ceres, the black and green cans are picked up each week. The blue cans are picked up every two weeks. We have two blue toters (which were supplied free) which we often fill up. We compost almost all of our food waste since we have room to do it. I also have a worm compost bin. Bertolotti is our company. The system works very well for us. Most of our garbage consists of recyclables. We often do not fill up our black can for several weeks but both blue toters will be full.
I have been an avid recycler from the “beginning” and have my collection/storage system all set up. I’m willing to make adjustments to my system but the city’s lack of clarity is making it difficult. Also, I’d like to see where all the so-called recycling is going and how it is being sorted. I used to take my recycling to Go Green, and every few months there would be another type of material they couldn’t take anymore, such as the clamshell plastic or bimetal cans. How can Gilton or Bertolotti recycle these if a commercial recycler can’t? I’m hoping the City will be lenient for a month or two as we adjust to the new rules. There are too many unanswered questions for my comfort.
Thank you, Anita. I have often wondered where all the so-called recycling is going and how it is being sorted. My black can serves 3 households and often in a week it isn’t full as I take recycled items to a transfer station and compost kitchen waste in my garden.
I frankly don’t understand all the bellyaching. I’m a disabled senior who has been rinsing & storing aluminum, glass & recyclable plastic for years before taking it to Go Green in Salida. I welcome the Blue Bin. It’s much more convenient for me to step outside the side garage door & deposit these items in the Blue Bin. I’m glad our waste company now accepts metal cans, too. I rinse them out when I wash the dishes & dry them in the dish rack.
Yes! My 87 year old mother does the same as you, has been forever (before getting separate bins) with no complaints and to this day still does not complain about this!
My wife and I always wash out food containers for the recycling can to avoid any food born bacteria from infecting the recycling program. I’m sorry Modesto cut the green waste pickup in half. My wife and I would need another compost pit if Merced did the same. I’m glad Merced keeps garbage collections as public non-profit entity instead of outsourcing the program to private parties who must main a profit to remain in business.
Years ago, I was told the Bertolotti take its recycling to Stockton.
I’m all for recycling, however if the city wants this to work they need to explain in lots more detail what goes where. There are about 7 types of plastic. We need to know if just 1 and 2 can be recycled. What about shredded paper in a paper bag? I think that goes in blue if bag is completely compostable. What about shredded credit cards? What about waxed fiberboard frozen meal packaging? Waxed paper plates? Used tissues and paper towels? I’ve spent hours online only to find conflicting answers. Is it asking too much for some good info since we are expected to comply? We don’t want to guess since there is a possible fine plus guessing defeats the purpose.