Tecate residents are “not happy” about having to pay for trash in their border community

SAN DIEGO (Boundary report) — The border city of Tecate is telling residents it’s time to pay for garbage collection services, something that doesn’t sit well with residents.

Tecate is about 55 miles east of Tijuana and is known for its sweet bread and the beer brand that bears the city’s name.

During a recent council meeting, city officials admitted they don’t have the money to do consistent garbage collection throughout the city.

Home and business owners must pay a temporary fee of 36 to 73 pesos per month ($1.90 to $3.80) to be eligible for garbage collection.

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Román Cota Muñoz, Tecate’s mayor, said the fee will be reviewed next year to see if it needs to be made permanent.

“We will provide each household in the program with a sticker that has a QR code that determines whether the payment is current while matching the address where the garbage is picked up,” says Cota Muñoz.

The mayor admitted that the city does not have all the resources now to provide free garbage because of a lack of equipment.

He also said six trucks are currently being repaired and are out of service, 13 are usually in operation every day picking up trash around the city.

“Our system has collapsed, I will provide a weekly report showing where the money goes and how it is spent, people need to know the charge if invested properly, we are trying to provide a service worthy of our citizens.”

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Plans are made for those who cannot afford the fee or refuse to pay it.

The mayor says they are likely to provide places around the city where people can leave their trash.

“We’re not trying to hurt anyone, that’s why we’re coming up with alternatives,” Cota Muñoz said. “If they feel it’s harmful or burdensome, we can provide a socio-economic study to determine if an alternative can be considered.”

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Cota Muñoz added that one way to ensure free garbage collection would be for people to recycle.

“If everyone recycled, no one would pay anything because there is less trash to pick up, and by recycling we can generate money to supplement the program.”

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