Oceanside residents will see a 5% hike in trash rates in calendar 2025, the maximum allowed by the city’s contract with Waste Management of California, Inc.
The company requested a higher increase, a total of 8.34%, and the contract allows the balance of 3.34% to be rolled over to 2026, along with any additional increase approved next year by the city up to the 5% maximum.
The monthly fee of $28.95 for the smallest container will increase to $30.40 in the new year, according to a city staff report. The average increase per residential customer for all sizes of containers is $1.58 per month.
Commercial trash rates will go up an average of $5.18 per month, according to the report. The Oceanside City Council approved the new rates Wednesday.
The increase is based on a formula using the consumer price index, employment cost index, a fuel cost index, motor vehicle maintenance index and more.
Also, according to the report, the current contract approved Nov. 15, 2023, added services such as compost and mulch giveaways, the transition from city to contractor billing, curbside household hazardous waste pickup for seniors and disabled ratepayers, and residential curbside organics collection including food waste and food-soiled paper.
Waste Management began directly billing its Oceanside customers in May 2023. There is no cost to the city for the services.
Waste Management is the largest trash hauler in the United States, with origins dating to a Dutch immigrant working in Chicago in the 1890s. The second-largest, Republic Services, also operates in San Diego County.
