San Jose’s proposed garbage and recycling rate increase burdens low-income families

San Jose garbage and recycling rates are on the rise again, making it more difficult for low-income families to balance their budgets.

The city is proposing a 4 percent rate increase or $2.05 a month for single-family service, which would bring the monthly bill to $53.45 or $641.40 annually for the 32-gallon cart. The multi-family service increase would be 2 percent or 45 cents per month. Multi-family service costs about $25 per month on average. The cost change is for both garbage and recycling service and includes collection and processing of garbage, recycling, yard trimmings and junk pickup.