City of Monrovia

City of Monrovia's New Commercial Recycling Program

New State legislation (AB 341) mandates that all businesses and public entities which generate four or more cubic yards of waste per week must recycle. The purpose of this new law is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste from landfills and to expand recycling opportunities in California.  It is important for Monrovia businesses to be proactive and contact their solid waste and recycling service provider(s) to ensure they are receiving the recycling services necessary to comply with AB 341.

The City of Monrovia has arranged for service providers to offer a complement of recycling services to Monrovia businesses beginning July 1, 2012. Additionally, the City's franchise agreement with the service providers limits annual customer rate increases to the change in consumer price index (CPI) with a five percent cap for the duration of the agreement (July 2, 2016).

All businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the new recycling program and select one or any combination of the following programs to divert commercial solid waste from disposal:

• Self-haul recyclables to a recycling center
• Subscribe to the recycling services from an authorized hauler or permitted recycler
• Utilize the mixed-waste processing services provided by their hauler

How Can My Business Comply with AB 341?

Contact your solid waste hauler or permitted recycling hauler to find out what services they offer to help you comply with AB 341. Depending on your current recycling services, you may already comply. The following are authorized service providers:

Authorized Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Haulers:
Athens Services (626) 934-4697
Consolidated Disposal Service (888) 742-5234

Recycling Haulers:
Allan Company (626) 962-4047
Resi-Shred (888) 747-3476

Please note that Burrtec Waste Services is only permitted to collect and haul solid waste and recyclables until June 30, 2012. After that date, customers must receive service from either Athens Services or Consolidated Disposal. Please check with your current solid waste and recycling service provider for more information.
Several recycling centers located within Monrovia offer cash for bottles and cans. Please visit www.bottlesandcans.com for locations and hours.

Another Reason Recycling is Important - Puente Hills Landfill Closure:
The largest landfill in Los Angeles County, the Puente Hills Landfill is set to close in 2013. Its closure will cause a significant reduction in local landfill disposal capacity. Alternative long-term capacity needs to be secured prior to its closure to ensure disposal capacity for business. Diverting materials through recycling and waste prevention will enable businesses to lower their disposal costs. For more information on programs to reduce your solid waste generation, please contact Environmental Services at (626) 932-5556.

What about Old Town Businesses?

Old Town businesses participate in a separate Old Town Solid Waste and Recycling Program due to the unique solid waste and recycling needs of Old Town (limited enclosures, parking and noise issues require a specific plan for commercial solid waste and recycling collection). City staff has addressed state regulatory compliance requirements for AB 341 by extending the Exclusive Franchise Agreement with Athens Services to continue to provide solid waste and recycling services at low rates. The current solid waste disposal service rates will remain in effect until June 30, 2013. Future rate adjustments will be based on the change in Consumer Price Index (CPI) with a 5% cap each subsequent year, beginning July 1, 2013, and annually thereafter.

Athens services will continue to offer separate recycling bins in trash enclosures where space allows, however, all waste will be processed through a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where recyclables are separated from trash and then sent to processing facilities for recycling. In addition, a pilot food waste composting program involving two Old Town restaurants will begin July 1, 2012, and will be offered to all Old Town restaurants in late Fall 2013.

For further information about the Old Town Solid Waste and Recycling Program, please contact Environmental Services at (626) 932-5553.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who are the Service Providers?

The City has awarded non-exclusive franchises to Athens Services and Consolidated Disposal Service. The City has also issued recycler hauler permits to Allan Company.

Am I required to choose one of the designated waste haulers or permitted recycling haulers?

Yes. The designated service providers are the only companies authorized to provide commercial waste collection in the City, and it is a violation of the Monrovia Municipal Code Section 8.10 to arrange for such services with any other company. The only exceptions are the businesses that wish to take their recyclables to a recycling center. For a listing of recycling centers, please visit www.bottlesandcans.com.

Does my business have to recycle?

Under the new state regulations that will take effect on July 1, 2012, you must recycle if your business or commercial property generates four or more cubic yards of waste per week. Your options are:

• Self-haul recyclables to a recycling center
• Subscribe to the recycling services from an authorized hauler or permitted recycler
• Utilize mixed-waste processing services
  

What recycling services are available?

The designated hauling companies have proposed a diversity of programs, allowing you the option to choose which one is right for you. Whether you are a small business proprietor, restaurant owner, commercial property manager/landlord, or the local office of a major corporation, you can choose the options that best suit your specific needs, including:

• Source separation - The hauler provides a bin or cart for recyclables, either at no charge or at a reduced cost
• Mixed-waste sorting - Your recyclables and waste are placed in the same bin or cart, then sorted at a materials recovery facility (MRF). The hauler may provide a free recycling bin or cart to enable you to further reduce costs
• Split-bin service - The hauler provides a bin that is divided into two sections: one for recyclables and one for waste
• Food waste recycling
• Green-waste collection and composting
• Construction and demolition debris recycling
  

How much will the new services cost?

Service rates are directly negotiated between the authorized service provider and your company. Please contact the authorized service provider directly for rates and service quotes. To see all the rates please click here.

Can recycling save my business money?

Yes! Athens Services and Consolidated Disposal have offered to provide businesses with recycling bins for free. You may also be able to reduce your waste disposal costs by increasing the amount of materials you recycle rather than dispose. Ask the haulers if there are free services that are right for your business.

What materials are considered recyclables?

The following are a list of materials that can be recycled in the new program:

• Newspapers, including inserts and coupons
• Glass jars and bottles
• Cans: aluminum, bi-metal, and tin
• Mixed paper: brown bags, cereal boxes, colored paper, computer paper, construction paper, cracker boxes, envelopes, junk mail, legal pad backings, paper egg cartons, shoe boxes, and white paper
• Telephone books
• Magazines and catalogs
• Corrugated cardboard
• Chipboard
• Aluminum foil and trays
• Aerosol cans
• Scrap metal
• Plastic containers (#1-7)
• Plastic bags
• Unpainted wood and lumber*
• Food waste*
• Green waste*

Check with your service provider to see if they offer separate recycling containers for these material types.

Can I take our recyclables to a self-serve or staffed recycling center?

Yes. However, any trash hauling must be contracted with one of the two authorized haulers. You will be asked to report the amount and types of recyclables you've self-hauled to your trash hauler along with your business license application or renewal notice. There are several self-serve and staffed recycling centers that offer cash for bottles and cans located within Monrovia, please visit www.bottlesandcans for locations and hours.

Do apartments and rental properties have to recycle?

Yes. The State requires all multi-family properties with 5 or more units to recycle. However, in Monrovia, all multi-family properties are already in compliance with AB 341. The City's authorized residential hauler, Athens Service, is contractually required to divert all multi-family residential waste as part of its exclusive franchise agreement to an authorized recycling facility where recyclable materials will be separated from the waste. All multi-family properties are required to utilize Athens Services, the City's Exclusive Residential Franchised Hauler for solid waste and recycling services.

For more information, please contact the City of Monrovia's Public Works Department, Environmental Services Section at (626) 932-5553 or email your questions or comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .