PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
October 4, 2022
Contact:
Helen E. Chavez, Communications Director
Cell: (213) 453-4316
Email: hchavez@bos.lacounty.gov
Barger Blasts Mismanaged Transition of Waste Hauling Services in Altadena, Kinneloa Mesa
During today’s Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger successfully introduced a motion directing the County’s Department of Public Works to improve its oversight of waste hauling services in the unincorporated communities of Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa.
“The County is responsible for ensuring we provide quality trash collection services in all of its unincorporated communities, but we’re not meeting the mark in Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa,” stated Supervisor Barger, as she addressed Public Works’ director during the Board meeting. “My office has received dozens of calls from residents voicing confusion, anger, and frustration about service changes and complaining that new trash carts haven’t been received or too many carts have been delivered. Many of their residences border the National Forest, so they’re susceptible to visits from bears and other wildlife that can pose a danger. We need to step up our efforts and provide them with more waste carts, trash bins and make sure their trash removal service isn’t compromised.”
The motion was catalyzed by a rocky transition between the current waste hauling service provider, Athens Services, to the new provider – Universal Waste Systems, Inc.
As a result, Public Works must report back in 30 days a plan on how they will provide residents with more organic and recycling carts, additional bear carts (at no charge) and improve transition between waste hauling contracts.
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