The Marin County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a 9% rate increase for waste collection services in West Marin, affecting customers served by Recology Sonoma Marin.
The increase will take effect April 1 and applies to residents in West Marin, Muir Beach and communities along the Marin Coast. The change does not affect Bolinas or Stinson Beach, which operate their own waste collection services.
Julie Bryant, waste management manager for Marin County, said the rate adjustment followed negotiations with Recology after the company requested a 12.2% increase in June 2025 to cover rising operational costs. Recology also sought approval to purchase two new garbage trucks for the region, which would have raised the total proposed increase to 21.8%.
The county entered negotiations with the company to reduce the proposed increase while adding service improvements.
Under the agreement approved by supervisors, the increase will be capped at 9% and Recology will be allowed to purchase two new waste collection vehicles for the West Marin service area beginning April 1.
“We agreed to new organics collection services, including commercial bin service, twice-annual community compost giveaways, and an additional compost collection for all residents. These compost services will be at no additional charge to ratepayers and included in the 9% increase,” Bryant said. Commercial businesses will also receive free organics collection bins.
The amendment also extends the county’s franchise agreement with Recology through June 30, 2035, a six-year extension beyond the current contract, which was set to expire in 2029.
