Riverside is exploring a pilot program to offer 64-gallon trash bins as an alternative to the standard 96-gallon size, aiming to encourage waste reduction and potentially lower costs for residents who generate less trash.
The Mobility and Infrastructure Committee received a report Thursday on the proposed pilot program, which would provide up to 300 participants with the opportunity to exchange their 96-gallon trash bin for a 64-gallon version.
Lee Withers, Deputy Public Works Director, presented the proposal, stating, "We worked with a consultant, R3 Consulting Group, over the next several months to design a potential pilot program to test offering 64-gallon trash bins."
The pilot would be conducted over a 12-month period, allowing data collection during all four seasons. Participants would be selected from two city-serviced routes, with 150 customers on each route eligible to join.
To incentivize participation, the city is considering offering a 15% reduction in monthly refuse rates for those who opt for the smaller bins. For standard curbside service, this would translate to a $5.60 monthly savings.
"Participants may voluntarily leave the pilot program at any time, and we would switch them back to a 96-gallon trash bin and the equivalent monthly rate for that size bin," Withers explained.
The program aims to target low-waste-generating households, particularly seniors, who often produce less trash and may prefer smaller bins due to physical limitations.
Committee members expressed interest in the proposal. Councilman Jim Perry asked, "Have we spoken to Athens on whether this is something they can incorporate? Because I guess what I'm getting is it talks about this being a good program for seniors."
Withers confirmed that Athens Services, the city's backup waste management contractor, would be agreeable to assistingwith the pilot if the city provides the 64-gallon carts.
The total fiscal impact to the Solid Waste Fund for the 12-month pilot is estimated at $45,000, including $23,000 for new bins and $22,000 in potential revenue loss from the rate reduction.
In addition to the 64-gallon bin option, the committee also discussed a potential shared service program modeled after one in Modesto. This would allow neighboring households to share one set of waste bins, potentially halving their monthly rates.
Committee Chair Chuck Conder expressed support for the pilot, stating, "I think it's worth trying... I didn't understand until I became single, and [now] I put my trash cans out on the average of once a month during the wintertime when there's not a lot of green grass."
The current residential solid waste rate plan expires on June 30, 2028. If approved, the pilot program would help inform the development of new rates scheduled for city council discussion in 2027.
The Mobility and Infrastructure Committee recommended moving forward with the pilot program proposal. The next step will be presenting the plan to the full City Council for consideration.
City Council will meet Tuesday to receive $9.3 million in grants for street safety improvements and discuss potential updates to mobile home rent control rules.
