Passionate Baker Believes in Zero Waste

Manhattan Bread & Bagel Owner Mike Keegan, whose business has been a Manhattan Beach mainstay for 19 years, is holding a Zero Waste Event at his business on Sunday, Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Patch wanted to find out what prompted him to hold the event and what his thoughts are about who should be awarded Manhattan Beach's next trash contract, which will be determined at the Tuesday, March 1 City Council meeting.

Manhattan Beach Patch: What is your Zero Waste Event on Sunday, Feb. 27 about?

Mike Keegan: It's an opportunity to see what is involved and the new equipment available to increase the city's trash diversion rate for households and business. It will allow people to learn how to have a zero waste household or business if we get a good trash contract that contains recycling, food-waste composting, hazardous-waste recycling and trash service.

MB Patch: Why did you take on holding the event?

Keegan: I came up with an idea to promote recycling. This came from the bidding and awarding of a new trash contract in the city of Manhattan Beach. After reading the staff report [of Jan. 24, 2011] on the new trash contract, I called the staff-recommended firm after learning they were offering food-waste recycling and hazardous-waste recycling pick up to residents and businesses. It seemed like a good way to educate the public on the huge potential of recycling that the city had not offered before. I want to get more people involved in recycling. It is the low fruit of the world's pollution and energy problem.

MB Patch: You've come out in support of Crown Disposal for the contract, why?

Keegan: After researching all three bidders, I want to support the staff recommendation that recommends Crown Disposal. They offer the highest diversion rate with the lowest price--a good combination--and the experienced city staff gave several other good reasons. I was upset that their recommendation was removed from this council item and I decided to weigh in and let people know that there were good alternatives to the current hauler and they were $4 million cheaper. 

MB Patch: Will you be at the city council meeting Tuesday night, and, why or why not?

Keegan: I will be there to let the council know that businesses and residents support lower trash rates with higher service options. This should be an easy contract to award, but the incumbent hauler is trying to hood wink the city of Manhattan Beach into paying more for less services. They need to be sent a message. They have a terrible diversion rate as a company and do not recycle food waste and need to change the way they do business to get city contracts. Lobbying and donating money to key charities is not enough. They sprinkle $50,000 a year around and then overcharge citizens by $550,000 per year. I want the public to know their tactics.

MB Patch: Please add anything else you'd like to.  

Keegan: I hope residents will support more recycling at lower rates. It makes sense!