Board approves second amendment to solid‑waste franchise; codifies yard‑waste exemptions and cart swaps

On Feb. 24 the board approved a second amendment to the county’s solid‑waste and recyclables collection franchise with Waste Management that codifies yard‑waste exemption procedures, standardizes cart sizes and exchanges, and adjusts several supplemental commercial fees.

Simone Shometa, managing director of the Solid Waste Disposal District, said staff and Waste Management refined the exemption process after outreach to HOA communities. About 39 unincorporated communities — estimated to encompass roughly 3,831 residents — are participating in the exemption process and will be asked to renew annually; residents in those communities who want an individual yard‑waste cart may request one directly from Waste Management. "That benefit remains with those residents that are paying for it," Shometa said.

The amendment also codifies an active cart-swap program: Waste Management has completed more than 6,000 cart exchanges (residents can swap standard 95‑gallon or 65‑gallon carts for smaller or larger sizes). For multifamily and commercial customers, the amendment removes certain rollout fees, changes gate‑open/close fees from per‑event to a capped monthly charge, and requires Waste Management to obtain written approvals for supplemental services; if written approval was not obtained, impacted communities may receive credits back to Oct. 1, 2025, as part of the negotiated relief.

Staff recommended board approval and the board authorized the chair to execute the amendment. County staff said they will perform periodic audits of government facilities’ recycling set‑ups and continue outreach to multifamily communities to manage supplemental fees.