DATE: 08/20/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Utilities Department
2025-339
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN CALRECYCLE’S RECYCLE FROM HOME PILOT
PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On June 15, 2022, the City Council authorized participation in a CalRecycle Pilot Program and designated Recycle From Home, LLC as the pilot program provider for mobile recycling services. Recycle From Home, LLC has requested the City’s concurrence on proposed changes to the program for its mobile recycling services.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council provide direction on:
PROPOSED OPTIONS:
Option 1: Continue participation in CalRecycle’s Recycle From Home Pilot Program Approve the Written Concurrence for Operational Changes for services provided by Recycle From Home, LLC.
Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Written Concurrence for Operational Changes and any other documents necessary in support of CalRecycle’s Recycle From Home Pilot Program.
Option 2: Discontinue participation in CalRecycle’s Recycle From Home Pilot Program
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
In recent years, the State of California has adopted legislation regarding solid waste and recycling to further reduce unnecessary waste in landfills and encourage the recycling of organic waste and beverage-container materials. In response, the City of Corona and other local jurisdictions have adopted and implemented plans to reduce solid waste by maximizing reuse and recycling.
In June of 2022, the City Council approved the City’s participation in a CalRecycle Pilot Program and designated Recycle From Home, LLC to be the pilot program provider to provide mobile recycling services at the customer’s residence. CalRecycle’s Recycle From Home Pilot Program is an effort to provide a convenient option for City residents to respond to California’s call to dispose of beverage-container material in a responsible manner and receive reimbursement for returning beverage containers that have California Redemption Value (CRV).
ANALYSIS:
Over the past several years, Recycle From Home, LLC has had over 1,800 Corona residents sign up for their services. In just this year alone, Recycle From Home, LLC has picked up over 30,000 lbs. of materials from residents, including scrap, aluminum, glass, and other items. Since launching their services, Recycle From Home, LLC has not increased their service fees and has absorbed rising costs. However, in order to continue providing quality and reliable service, they are recommending the following program changes:
Service Fee Adjustment: Increase the standard fee deducted from CRV refunds from 10% to 30%.
New Premium User Option: Customers can subscribe to a Premium Membership for $5.99/month, which results in the customer receiving 100% of the CRV refund with no service fee deducted.
Welcome Delivery Kit Change: Branded recycling bags will continue to be provided at no cost. However, first-time customers will use their own bags for the initial pickup, at which time the company’s welcome kit will be delivered. The change is intended to reduce unnecessary shipping and inventory waste.
Should the City Council approve continued participation in CalRecycle’s Pilot Program and the mobile recycling services provided by Recycle From Home, LLC, the Written Concurrence for the above operational changes would need to be approved.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the City for participating in this service through the CalRecycle Pilot Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action involves the City’s participation in CalRecycle’s Recycle From Home Pilot Program. There is no possibility that approving the continued use of this program will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the item is exempt from CEQA.
PREPARED BY: TOM MOODY, UTILITIES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENT:
1. Exhibit 1 – Recycle From Home, LLC. Written Concurrence