CalMet adds truck to handle increase in illegally dumped furniture

DOWNEY — Downey will pay CalMet nearly $35,000 to expand its collection of couches, mattresses and other trash illegally dumped across the city.

During the last 12 months, Downey has seen a spike in furniture dumped on curbs and in alleys, usually outside apartment complexes, city officials said.

CalMet is responsible for picking up the trash but has been backlogged due to a growing number of residents disposing of bulky trash. CalMet receives an average of 125 requests each day to pick up oversized items from Downey homes, officials said.

CalMet began an expanded service in December, deploying a garbage truck dedicated to illegally dumped items. The truck operated three days per week, four hours per day, and collected 72.4 tons of trash from December through February.

Under the new agreement approved by the City Council last week, Downey will pay CalMet an additional $34,580 to continue this service through June.

The service is in addition to two full-time Public Works maintenance staff that drive around Downey "hot spots" to pick up smaller bulky items Monday through Saturday.