The owner of Langer's Deli in Los Angeles said customers could end up absorbing the hit from an October garbage bill that rose by more than 70%, with $1,800 in charges for a dumpster lock.
Here's what to know
As ABC7 reported, Athens Services charged Norm Langer because its driver has to unlock the deli's dumpster area during each of the five weekly pickups.
"It's absurd. It's absurd," Langer told Eyewitness News. "There's enough problems in life, but now we got a problem in life with garbage? Come on, give me a break."
Athens Services, which handles collection in that part of Los Angeles under the city's franchise system, told the station the fee applies whether entry is by key or code.
"I'm a small mom and pop store," Langer said. "I mean, how much can I absorb?"
More background
After seeing the charge, Langer reached out to Athens and was told the representative responsible for his area would get back to him.
"Oh Mr. Langer I'm terribly sorry," Langer said. "Let me have our local representative who is in charge of your area contact you. I'm still waiting."
Langer added that he and his staff have watched Athens crews combine food scraps with regular trash, even though compost service makes up most of the charges on the bill.
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"Food cost is going up, fuel is going up," Langer continued. "Everything is going up and now trash is going up?"
What's being done?
Athens maintained that unlocking the gate is a standard fee. Langer, however, planned to pay the bill without the surcharge.
In response to ABC7's report, L.A. Sanitation issued a statement: "The increase was a result of a new Athens staff member's data entry error that caused a billing miscalculation in the recycling gate access charge. As a result of this staff error, the bill incorrectly reflected a quantity of five blue bin gate access charges at $341.85 each, totaling $1,709.25, rather than the correct quantity of one blue bin gate access charge at $341.85."
Athens also said it would apply a credit to the customer's account to make up for the error, in addition to another credit "as a goodwill gesture."
Where can I learn more?
Communities elsewhere are dealing with similar fights over trash fees, compost rules, and other waste policies, which can cause confusion and lead to punishments that stretch thin budgets.
• Residents in Tennessee pushed back after a forced monthly garbage fee quietly raised bills.
• In New York City, mandatory composting rules carry fines for tossing scraps incorrectly.
• Communities are being urged to rethink curbside recycling programs as waste costs keep rising.
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