At Recology Sonoma Marin, our Waste Zero mission goes hand-in-hand with keeping our neighborhoods beautiful and safe. To maintain street cleanliness and ensure fair disposal costs, it is important that all properties subscribe to the weekly service volume they truly need and keep container lids completely closed. Our collection trucks utilize automated camera technology to identify overfilled garbage containers, and after an initial courtesy letter, charges may be incurred to cover additional handling and disposal costs.
What is an Overfilled Container?
An overage occurs when materials exceed a garbage container’s intended capacity. This includes:
- Material extending above the rim, preventing the lid from closing.
- Extra bags or items placed on top of a closed lid.
- Materials placed on the ground next to or around your containers.
How to Prevent Overages and “Right-Size” Your Service
If you notice overages occurring frequently, it is likely time to adjust your service levels to better fit your needs:
- Evaluate Your Volume: If your weekly garbage regularly exceeds your container capacity, consider upgrading to a larger container size
- Optimize Compost & Recycle: Consider what items are currently going in your garbage container that could be placed in the compost or recycle containers instead. This will reduce what you send to the landfill, helping the environment and your bill.
- Use Bulky Item Pick-ups: Avoid forcing large items into your standard containers. Residents can check our Bulky Item page to learn more and schedule a collection.
Overage Photos and Billing
If an overfilled garbage container is recorded, you may incur a charge depending on whether you have already received a courtesy letter. Here are examples of overages:
Commercial customers
Residential customers
We appreciate your understanding of this policy, and are happy to assist you with any questions you may have. Please contact us to connect with our local team. Thank you.