What is the WISE Agreement?

On January 27, 2026, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE) Agreement, replacing the Waste Disposal Agreement (WDA), which expired June 30, 2026.

The WISE Agreement provides participating cities and sanitation districts with:

  • Priority access to Orange County landfills
  • A landfill disposal rate at least 10% lower than the public disposal rate
  • Revenue sharing from County waste importation agreements

In return, participating cities direct all non-recycled waste collected by their franchised haulers to Orange County landfills.

Implementation of the WISE Agreement includes a 53% increase in landfill disposal rates beginning in FY 2026–27. According to Orange County Waste & Recycling, the increase will fund major infrastructure investments over the next five years, including:

  • Closure of the Brea Olinda Landfill
  • Expansion of the Prima Deshecha Landfill
  • Expansion of the County's landfill greenery program

The City works closely with WM to keep residential rates as competitive and affordable as possible while continuing to provide valuable services to Irvine residents.

  • These services include:
    Four free bulk-item collections each year
  • Complimentary holiday tree recycling
  • Valet collection service (where applicable)
  • Additional residential programs and services

Residents may also qualify for a senior discount or a low-volume discount to help reduce their monthly bill.

The City works closely with WM to keep residential rates as competitive and affordable as possible while continuing to provide valuable services to Irvine residents.

These services include:

  • Four free bulk-item collections each year
  • Complimentary holiday tree recycling
  • Valet collection service (where applicable)
  • Additional residential programs and services

Residents may also qualify by filling out the senior discount form or a low-volume discount to help reduce their monthly bill.

For further information, please visit Orange County Waste & Recycling website for County Waste Disposal Agreements.

Comparison of WISE and Non-Wise Disposal Rates 

  FY 2025–26 FY 2026–2027 FY 2027–28 FY 2028–29 FY 2029–30
WISE Rate

$43.76

$67.00

$74.00

$81.00

$81.00+
Blended CPI
Non-WISE Rate

$67.76

$92.70

$100.40

$108.10

$110.77
(estimate)

While this increase affects all Orange County residents, the City continues to work with its service providers to keep rates as low as possible and ensure reliable service. Even with these changes, Irvine’s rates remain in the lowest third across the county for comparable services. Discounted rates are also available for eligible residents, including seniors and low-volume users.


What the WISE Means for the City of Irvine

The WISE Agreement was negotiated between Orange County and the Orange County City Managers Association (OCCMA) on behalf of Orange County cities and sanitation districts.This is to ensure the County has full cost recovery for solid waste operations while capping the annual increase in the disposal rate, limiting rate increases to County residential and commercial customers.

While the primary focus of the negotiations was tied to the disposal rate, OCCMA successfully negotiated the following key provisions:

  • A 10-year agreement through June 30, 2036, with one optional 10-year extension.
  • Fixed landfill disposal rates for the first three years.
  • Beginning in FY 2029–30, annual adjustments based on a blended Consumer Price Index (60% Solid Waste, Water, and Sewer; 40% All Urban Consumers).
  • An annual process beginning in 2030 that may freeze CPI adjustments depending on Orange County Waste & Recycling's cost recovery and disposal volumes.
  • Continued OCCMA participation to provide oversight and improve financial transparency.

WM service rates are adjusted annually each July 1 as part of their agreement with the City of Irvine. The next scheduled rate adjustment will occur in July 1,  2027. In addition to the standard annual adjustment, future rate increases may reflect rising disposal costs established by the County. Customers are notified of rate adjustments through the message section of the first WM invoice reflecting the new rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What the WISE Means to Residents & Commercial Businesses in Irvine

The landfill gate rate is the per-ton disposal fee waste haulers pay to dispose of trash at Orange County landfills. Disposal costs are a component of residential and commercial solid waste service rates.

Under the WISE Agreement, landfill disposal rates are established in advance, providing greater cost predictability than non-WISE rates, which may fluctuate and do not guarantee access to County landfills.

WM residential service rates are adjusted annually each July 1 under the City's franchise agreement. The next scheduled adjustment is in July 1, 2027. Future rate changes may reflect increases in County landfill disposal costs. Customers are notified of rate adjustments through the message section of the first invoice reflecting the new rates.

During the planning and development for the extensive expansion of landfill programs resulting in the significant increase in costs, the County did not involve any of the 34 Orange County cities on special districts. However, the City has limited alternatives given the County’s control of regional landfill infrastructure. Rejecting the agreement would be much more costly to the City. Learn more about Orange County’s landfills.