Carmel City Council approves 4.19% rate increase for GreenWaste services

Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council approved a 4.19% rate increase for residential green waste services during their regular meeting on June 3, 2025. This decision comes as part of an ongoing agreement with GreenWaste Recovery, which allows for annual rate adjustments based on inflation and operational costs.

The current rate for a standard 32-gallon residential bin will rise from $53.78 to $56.03, marking a $2.25 increase. This follows a previous rate hike of 3.59% approved last year. The adjustment was prompted by a review from the Health, Food, and Nutrition (HFNH) department, which found that the initial estimate for the increase was too low.

In addition to the rate increase, the council discussed an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to regional waste management efforts. This includes compliance with new state regulations aimed at reducing organic waste in landfills by 75% by the end of 2025. The city is currently working with GreenWaste to implement these changes and has approved 23 waivers for noncompliant accounts this fiscal year.

The council's decision reflects a commitment to sustainable waste management practices while addressing the rising costs associated with waste disposal and processing. The next steps will involve continued collaboration with GreenWaste to ensure compliance and effective outreach to residents and businesses.