June 3, 2024
To the Mayor and City Council of the City of Goleta:
For consideration at your June 4 meeting.
Concerning the “Annual Solid Waste Rate Increase” by Marborg
I am informed that you will be considering a rate increase of 4.97% based on the CPI (consumer price index). As a customer of Marborg I see the following issues:
1) It seems absurd that the increased rate will be part of the future CPI index, which will then be the reason for the next increase. If you must increase the rate, find a more valid reason !
2) The main problem I have with Marborg is that they strongly limit the types of items that can be recycled, especially plastics. Why can’t they come up with a process to allow inclusion of all types of plastics, or at least more types that are common. It is often difficult to decide whether I should recycle or trash a particular item, even after referring to their printed guide. For example, the plastic TV dinner trays, are not recyclable by Marborg. But the City of Santa Maria recycles them.
Developing a process to allow recycling of many additional types of material will greatly reduce the use of overflowing landfills.
3) My third concern is that they have apparently not trained all their employees to replace the emptied trash containers close to the curb. Many time I find one or more container 2 or even 3 feet into the road. Not just me but the entire neighborhood. This could result in traffic accidents. I have phoned them to complain about this but it continues to occur.
If we’re going to pay more for our trash collection, yet again, we should at least have an improved process.
Thank you,
Murray Kalisher
Goleta resident
[email protected]