Trash Proposal Has Lower Fees, Recycling

Open bidding for the city trash contract will result in a decrease in rates and an increase in service, city officials said.

The contract offer from Solag Disposal Inc., expected to be approved by the City Council tonight, “is really the lowest in Orange County when you look at levels of service,” said Assistant City Manager Don White.

The San Juan Capistrano-based hauler, which currently splits the trash pickup for the city with Waste Management of Orange County Inc., submitted a bid calling for a $12 monthly charge for residents, who now pay $15.89.

The contract also allows for recycling of garden cuttings and many forms of plastic, paper and metal.

“I’m very pleased with the numbers and types of services being offered,” said Councilwoman Melody Carruth. “It speaks highly for the open bidding process.”

In contrast to bidding wars that occur in many cities when a multimillion-dollar trash contract is at stake, trash wars have been nonexistent in Laguna Hills.

One reason was that the city declined to have public presentations from the bidders, accepting instead only their written proposals.

“We didn’t think there was any reason for a dog-and-pony show,” White said. “These were all qualified companies, and everyone sharpened their pencils and let their proposals do the talking.”

The 10-year contract allows the winning hauler to buy the latest equipment with sufficient time to recover the investment and make a profit, White said.