Restaurant owners are livid after receiving their first bills under the city's new billion-dollar garbage contract, with some reporting dramatic increases for compost collection.
City officials had warned residents to prepare for increased rates as Waste Management, Oakland's longtime garbage contractor, began splitting duties with local company California Waste Solutions last week.
But restaurateurs said they never expected such a steep increase to dispose of their organic waste. Before July 1, owners could shop around between several companies vying for their compost services, which helped keep prices low.