The Montebello City Council meeting held on August 27, 2025, focused on several key agenda items, with a significant highlight being the approval of a grant application for a household hazardous waste program.

The meeting commenced with a presentation by Samantha, the management analyst of public works, who detailed the application submitted to the Household Hazardous Waste Grant Program for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This application, submitted on August 26, 2025, seeks up to $50,000 in funding from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, commonly known as CalRecycle.

Samantha outlined the program's objectives, which aim to enhance public awareness regarding the proper disposal of household hazardous waste. A key component of the initiative is to promote extended producer responsibility, allowing consumers to return used products, such as batteries, to their manufacturers for safe disposal.

The proposed program includes various activities such as public education outreach, which will feature multilingual materials and workshops. The city plans to partner with local retailers to establish battery drop-off locations at city facilities, including City Hall and the senior center. Additionally, the program will provide residents with online and printed maps indicating disposal sites and will host temporary and mobile collection events.

To measure the program's effectiveness, the city will conduct pre- and post-surveys to assess changes in awareness and behavior among participants. Tracking participation in workshops and events, as well as monitoring the types of materials collected, will also be part of the evaluation process.

The anticipated impact of this initiative includes safer disposal methods for hazardous household items, reduced environmental risks, and strengthened partnerships with local businesses. The program aims to foster sustainable practices and encourage long-term behavioral changes within the community.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement through the proposed household hazardous waste program. Further steps will be taken to implement the program pending the approval of the grant application.