Atherton to blunt 2026 garbage-rate hike to 8%

Atherton residents are set to see an 8% increase in garbage rates next year after the City Council approved a fourth amendment to its franchise agreement with GreenWaste Recovery. The move limited what would otherwise have been an 11% jump.

Under the town’s 2020 franchise agreement, GreenWaste is contractually entitled to an 11% base compensation increase in 2026. To ease the impact on customers, Atherton will temporarily continue reducing its franchise fee and will draw from its Rate Stabilization Fund, according to town staff. 

Councilmembers Bill Widmer and Rick DeGolia, who serve on the refuse subcommittee, worked with GreenWaste on a multi-year strategy to smooth future rate adjustments. For 2026, Atherton will lower its franchise fee to 4.7% (instead of the standard 10 percent) and use about $125,000 from its stabilization fund to hold the customer increase at 8%. The franchise fee is paid by GreenWaste. 

Atherton and GreenWaste will reconvene annually to determine rate adjustments for future years, with a goal of gradually restoring the franchise fee to 10% by 2035 while keeping rate increases predictable. According to the town, planned effective rate changes after 2026 include a 6% increase in 2027 and 5% in 2028, with smaller adjustments tied to inflation in later years.

Town staff said the 2026 subsidy represents a roughly $7,000 reduction in anticipated franchise-fee revenue but will help moderate swings in rates. The stabilization fund currently holds about $530,000. 

In 2026, after the subsidy, the minimum fee for recycling and compost will be $33.04 a month in addition to $37 a month for a 20-gallon trash bin, the smallest available. 

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