Oakland Restaurant Owners Call For Change in New Composting Program Fees

Oakland restaurant owners are calling for a review of the new composting system that has resulted in astronomical fee increases.

Some are so frustrated that they may resort to throwing out what they would otherwise compost rather than face a price hike of thousands per year.

Liba Falafel owner Gail Lillian told Inside Bay Area that her fees are going up by $3,000 per month and that restaurant owners want a revised contract.

"We don't want to pay these rates, we won't pay these rates," she told the publication. "I'm prepared to stop compost service for the year and keep arguing for lower rates."

While recycling is mandatory in Alameda County, composting is not. However, that will change on July 1, 2016.

Over in San Francisco, the Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance requires everyone to separate their trash, including compostables.

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