CWS Recycling $6.22M Overcharges Class Action Settlement

If you owned or resided in a multi-family dwelling in Oakland, California and paid for certain premium backyard recycling services between July 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021, you may be eligible to claim a refund from a class action settlement.

California Waste Solutions has agreed to pay $6,223,508 to settle a class action lawsuit for allegedly overcharging residents for certain recycling services.

Who is eligible to receive a payout?

Class members include the following:

• Owned or resided in a multi-family dwelling in Oakland.
• Paid for premium backyard recycling cart services between July 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021.

How much is each settlement payment?

Each claimant's payout will be will be calculated based on their actual overpayments.

How to claim a payout

To claim an award, class members must submit a claim form. You can file a claim online or download the claim form and send it by mail to the settlement administrator at City of Oakland v. California Waste Solutions, Inc., c/o CPT Group, Inc., 50 Corporate Park, Irvine, CA 92606, or by email to CWSSettlement@cptgroup.com.

Claimants that did not receive a notice or would like to dispute the refund amount provided in the notice must download the PDF Dispute Form. The completed Dispute Form can be emailed or mailed to the same settlement administrator as the claim form.

Claim instructions

To submit your claim, follow these steps:

1. Access the online claim form or download the PDF claim form
2. Complete the claim form with current contact information and the address that was billed any CWS overcharges.
3. Submit the form online, email the completed PDF claim form to the settlement admin email address, or mail it to the provided address.
4. If you did not receive a notice or wish to dispute your refund amount, download the PDF Dispute Form.
1. Complete the Dispute Form and email or mail to the settlement administrator.

Do I need to provide proof in order to receive a payment?

Proof is required:

• CPT ID and Passcode provided in notice is required to submit an online claim
• Address that experienced any overcharges must be included
• Dispute Form for claimants that did not receive notice or that wish to dispute their refund amount requires additional documentation
• List of dates and overcharged amounts
• Proof of identity in the form of a copy of a driver's license, state issued ID card, or passport
• Proof of CWS payment in the form of bank/credit card statements or cancelled checks

Payout Options

Approved claimants will have a refund check mailed to the address provided.

$6.22 Million settlement fund

The settlement fund of $6,223,508 will cover:

• Refunds to approved claimants
• Settlement administration costs

Important dates

Deadline to File a Claim or a Dispute Form: April 11, 2025

When is the California Waste Solutions payout date?

Payments will be issued after all claims are processed and dispute requests are resolved.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The lawsuit was filed because the City of Oakland alleged that California Waste Solutions overcharged residents for recycling services, breaching their contract. While CWS does not admit liability, a settlement was reached to refund residents some or all overcharged amounts.