City Council Agenda Report
September 2, 2025
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Glen W.C. Kau, P.E., Director of Public Services/City Engineer Gabriela Garcia, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AMENDING NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 8.48 AND 8.5 RELATING TO SOLID WASTE
HANDLING AND RECYCLING AND ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL
REDUCTION
Background:
The City of Norwalk currently relies on a two-stream waste collection system in which businesses separate organics into one bin while placing all other materials, trash and recyclables, into a single mixed-waste bin. This mixed waste is transported to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), where recyclables are extracted from the trash stream through a combination of mechanical sorting equipment and manual labor. The remaining non-recyclable material is then disposed of in a landfill.
In the past, this process helped the City meet the State’s ‘high diversion’ requirements, but as of January 1, 2025, CalRecycle has raised the minimum recovery rate for High Diversion Organic Waste Processing Facilities from 50% to 75%. Meeting this higher threshold would require significant capital investments and lead to material increased rates for commercial customers.
As an alternative option used in a number of jurisdictions in California, Athens Services recommends transitioning to a three-container collection system, which offers a more cost- effective and sustainable path to compliance. The facilities used by Athens Services do not qualify under the new standards, and as a result, the City may be considered out of compliance with State mandates if they do not move into a three-stream collection system.
To address this regulatory shift, staff recommends updating Chapter 8.5 of the Norwalk Municipal Code (NMC) to transition commercial accounts to a three-stream collection system.
While organics are already collected separately, this update will also require recyclables to be separated at the source, alongside solid waste. This approach reduces reliance on MRF
City Council September 2, 2025
Ordinance No. 25-1759 Page No. 2
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performance by ensuring that cleaner, less contaminated materials enter recycling and composting facilities directly. In addition to ensuring regulatory compliance, source separation improves the quality and marketability of recovered materials, reduces contamination fees, and can lower long-term disposal costs. Amending the NMC now allows the City to establish the necessary framework, ensuring a smooth and enforceable transition before State deadlines take effect.
Cost to Businesses
Businesses may experience adjustments in service costs over the next few years as the new three-stream collection system is implemented. City staff, in coordination with the City’s franchise waste hauler, Athens Services, will work proactively to support businesses in meeting the new requirements. The focus will be on providing education, outreach, and technical assistance to achieve compliance well before the State mandates stricter enforcement measures, including the potential assessment of monetary penalties for non-compliance.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
N/A
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council introduce by title only Ordinance No. 25-1759, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWALK AMENDING NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 8.48 AND 8.5 RELATING TO SOLID WASTE HANDLING AND RECYCLING AND ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION and schedule for second reading.
Attachments:
Ordinance No. 25-1759