Eldorado Disposal reports high compliance, compost growth and modest rate increase for Placerville customers

Eldorado Disposal District gave the Placerville City Council an annual report on May 13 describing compliance with state recycling and organics requirements, community engagement and customer-service metrics, and an index-based rate increase that will affect July bills.

Christopher Brown, district manager, said the city has just over 3,000 residential customers and about 400 commercial customers. He reported near-100% compliance with the state recycling and organics programs (SB 1383) and highlighted 86 on-site business visits in 2024 to assist with food-waste implementation.

Brown said nearly 1,300 residential vouchers were used last year to dispose of materials for free at the transfer station, and that the district brought 330 tons of compost back into Placerville for resident distribution in 2024. The district also reestablished textile collection in mid-2024 and diverted about 1,100 pounds of textiles at the Placerville buyback location.

On rates, Brown said the contract index will produce a 3.06% cost increase this year. For the most common 35-gallon residential container, the increase will be 98 cents per month; the senior rate for a 35-gallon cart will be $24.64 per month under the new schedule. Brown also noted that four curbside vouchers, two community cleanups per year and an option for one extra container are included in the cost of service.

Council members and residents praised the transfer station renovation (the MRF) and the district’s outreach and education programs. Residents highlighted the district’s friendly staff and free HHW (household hazardous waste) disposal, which Brown said served about 1,200 Placerville residents last year.

No vote was required for the presentation; the council received and filed the report.