October 3, 2006

Board approves new garbage collection rates effective March 1, 2007

The West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board approved new garbage collection rates at a special meeting on August 29, 2006.

The new rates will be effective March 1, 2007, in connection with the start of a new collection contract with West Valley Collection & Recycling, LLC. Most customers will see increases of between 3 and 6 percent. The last rate increase was July 1, 2005.

West Valley Collection & Recycling, LLC, was selected by the Authority in March of this year from among five competitive proposals. The company will provide automated collection of garbage, yard waste, and recyclable materials from wheeled carts.

Customers will select from among carts with 20-gallon, 35-gallon, 65-gallon, and 95-gallon capacity for garbage service. (The 35-gallon cart is equivalent to the plastic or galvanized steel cans used by many customers today.) Each customer will also receive a single cart for collection of all recyclable materials and up to three 95-gallon carts for the collection of yard debris. Customers will be receiving an informational mailer from the company with a card that they will be asked to return indicating their preferred cart sizes.

The West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority is a joint powers authority comprised of the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga and the Town of Los Gatos. The Authority manages the contracts for the collection and disposal of solid waste and the collection and processing of recyclable materials and yard debris.