Long Beach approves two-step solid-waste rate increase as city launches required organics program

Long Beach city leaders on March 11 approved a two-step increase to residential solid-waste service rates and set a timetable to expand a newly launched organics collection program required by state law.

The council voted to adopt a resolution to implement an initial monthly increase effective May 1, 2025, and a second increase tied to organics service later this summer; the city clerk said the protest period produced 1,314 submitted protests (including five verbal protests) that, if certified, do not constitute a majority under state law — the clerk said a majority would require 57,924 protests.

City staff told the council the changes respond to California’s SB 1383 requirements for organics diversion and that the rate adjustments reflect rising disposal and processing costs, increased staffing and new equipment. City staff said Long Beach operates 81 refuse trucks, serves roughly 18,000 accounts, and collects nearly 200,000 tons of waste annually (plus about 30,000 tons diverted for recycling). A cost-of-service analysis conducted for the city concluded current rates do not cover the cost of providing service, and recommended the phased approach the council approved.

Why it matters: SB 1383, the state mandate cited by staff, requires local jurisdictions to expand organic waste collection and related compliance activities. City staff emphasized that the mandate leaves implementation costs primarily to local governments and ratepayers; the council’s action is the city’s chosen path to meet the mandate while phasing in new service and associated billing.

Key details from staff and the study: the city’s organics processing cost was presented at about $123 per ton; refuse operator base pay increases in recently executed MOUs raised labor costs (staff said base pay for operators increased roughly 15%); truck prices have risen substantially in recent years (one consultant noted a truck cost rising from about $360,000 to about $890,000); the city will replace purple recycling carts with standard blue carts, add roughly 12,000 green carts for organics, and equip new carts with RFID tags for inventory tracking. Staff also said the city adjusted its target reserve from four months to three months and is using multi-year agreements and financing to spread equipment costs.

Outreach and rightsizing: staff described a first phase of residential rollout completed in October that included nearly 8,000 accounts and bilingual mail and door-to-door outreach (the city worked with the Long Beach Conservation Corps for some door-to-door contacts). Staff said the city will use a phased rollout for the remaining customers and a rightsizing program so households that do not need large carts can request smaller ones; staff said field investigators can visit addresses to determine appropriate cart sizes.

Public comment and concerns: four members of the public spoke during the hearing, raising concerns about mandatory carts for renters and low-use households, the fairness of the rate structure, and the ability of high-rise and multifamily residents to participate. One commenter argued the rate structure could conflict with Proposition 218; staff and the city attorney’s office responded that tiered rates are permissible when tied to cost studies (citing past court guidance) and that the city’s cost analysis supports the structure being adopted. The city clerk read the protest count into the record and concluded, for the purpose of the hearing, that the tabulated protests did not meet the statutory majority to block the rate increases.

Next steps: staff said billing for organics will start when service begins at each account (bill timing will therefore vary by neighborhood rollouts), and the city aims to complete the phased residential organics rollout by the end of calendar year 2025. Council members directed staff to continue public education and to pursue grants and other funding where available to offset costs for residents in need.