Since we already had automated 90-gallon green containers that could be used for greenwaste and light blue containers for commingled recycling, we decided to introduce a black container for mixed waste. Since we had to purchase a new container for every residence anyway, we decided to offer three sizes with lower rates for the smaller containers. This provides a financial incentive to recycle, and smaller containers are easier for the elderly to roll out.

As a result, today we are diverting 64% from our single family residences, 27% in commingled recycling and 37% in greenwaste containers.

To educate the public to their choices, we had four public meetings on nights and Saturdays, inserted bill stuffers, distributed green magnets, and sent out a card for people to sign up for the 40, 64 or 90 gallon containers. We had over 70% of the people send the card back.

Since it is critical that there is a substantial difference in the monthly rates between the containers, we set a $5 per month differential. We did not do a true level of service because the actual differential is only a dollar or two. We base your fee totally on the size of the black container. The money goes into the Sanitation Fund, which includes a variety of programs such as graffiti removal, education, etc. (For 8,000 homes, it cost $220,000 to purchase the containers.)

We have noticed no increase in illegal dumping or people filling commercial dumpsters. If people try to hide household trash under some greenwaste, we see it when we dump it in the truck and we leave a warning. If you have been warned 3 times for contamination in a green or blue container, we take away that container and you have to pay $10 to get it back. If you do it again, you don't get it back.

Upon starting we worked with people like Joe Delaney and estimated the number of residents that would take each container sizes. It worked out well so we met our financial projections. People selected as follows: 40% for 40 gallons, 35% for 64 gallons and 25% for 90 gallon containers. If you did not turn in your form, you defaulted to the 64 gallon size, and were given 2 months to make a change without charge.

We allow an unlimited number of greenwaste containers, although if you request over five, we do a site visit to check on your situation.

The same trucks and drivers run through a part of town three times per week to pick up the three kinds of containers, so the drivers get to know the people.

There is no cookie cutter approach to variable can rates. The basic idea is to slightly overcharge the people with a lot of trash and use that money to subsidize the people who throw away less.

It has to balance out so you don't charge more than your costs, according to Prop 218.

You need to talk to other cities and determine what will work best in your community. It is best to wait until you change hauling contracts. Make sure management supports the expense of the variable can rates, including the cost of containers.

Be sure to include the extra administrative cost of additional customer representatives to handle questions. Be sure to charge extra for container size changes, so you don't drive your staff crazy.

Figure out how it will be sold politically. In Pasadena we gained support by a survey of the public. When we asked if they would like to change their trash collection process to save money, they said yes.

We held a series of community meetings and took the politicians out on the road to see the community support. We've found it's best to talk about economic incentives and disincentives, rather than using terms like "equitable and fair."

Have an analysis done by  a consultant, who then presents it to the Council, like an objective third party. Keep it simple with just a few options, and round the figures to even amounts ($2 not $1.79 per month).

Provide the public with as many greenwaste and recycling containers as they want.

Variable can rates are not the driving force of a waste collection service, they are the by-product. An automated collection is the most cost effective collection method.

Automated greenwaste doesn't have contamination if you educate the people. Illegal dumping doesn't increase. Having a large 90 gallon greenwaste and/or recycling container and a smaller 60 gallon trash container encourages recycling and separation.

Just to stop in front of the house and pick up an automated container costs $8 to $10. So the only difference in the smaller container is the disposal cost difference, which is about $1 per month, but the city can increase the differential if they want to encourage recycling and waste separation.

Delaney: When you go to a single trash can, your neighborhood bulk pickups need to increase, but you need to charge. In Santa Monica, we charge $25 for a special pick up, or $5 for a special bag.

If we have any illegal dumping, we take a picture, or check the addresses in the discarded junk mail and send a bill to that building.

85% of the time they pay the charge for the special pickup, but if they complain, we drop the charge off their bill.

US EPA has a useful handbook called "Pay as You Throw."