Roll offs: City believes time to broaden knowledge of service
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: April 30, 2008
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
They’re seen all over town, filled with garage castoffs or construction debris. Santa Paula also offers roll offs, and the city has decided that the time is ripe to broaden the knowledge of the service welcomed by residents and contractors alike.
“The roll off service is something the city has always offered,” although not particularly publicized, said Interim Public Works Director Jon Turner. Last year the city purchased 13 new roll offs.
“We’re gearing up service for not only those who want to clean out their garage, but those contractors that need a roll off for a longer period of time. And, we’re in the process of modifying the requirements and the rates so our service is more appealing to contractors.”
The city’s new fleet of roll offs come in three sizes, ranging from short - 14 X 4 - for heavier items to tall - 22 X 5 - for bulky but lighter items. Whatever the size, Turner said the goal is the same: “We’re looking for ways to meet the needs of the local residents with services that are more efficient, but we also have to track our diversion from the landfill... this is one way Cliff (Finley) and I have identified to do that.”
Cities are under state mandate to reduce trash dumped in landfills or face stiff daily fines. “We have to look to recycling wood, concrete and asphalt that is found in construction debris” to help the city meet the mandate.
The roll off service availability awareness campaign has started with a bang, including fliers and bins with city artwork by Howard Bolton. “Howard put some real nice signage on roll offs... before we didn’t have any real advertising on them, but now they have the city logo and the phone number. We hope to get a firmer grip on that market,” and raising awareness of the city service, said Turner, is a key point.
Rates depend on the refuse and tonnage costs, but next month Turner is going to approach the Council to revise the rates to a make a recycling component - the user simply placing different categories of refuse together inside the roll off - financially attractive. That way the city can take wood to Cal Wood and other recyclables to either Gold Coast or Del Norte - and get state credits - before the non-recyclables wind up in the dump.
“We’re pretty excited about taking something we have and making it better, expand our service to the residents and contractors working on projects in town,” said Turner.
Prices are $37 pickup and delivery; the rental is $117.50 plus tonnage. Refuse disposal is $30.22 per ton, $21.86 per ton for green waste. For more information call 933-4212 Ext. 308.
