General Information And Frequently Asked Questions

Collection Times / Can Placement

Cart Placement Guidelines

For everyone’s safety and to keep service running smoothly, especially in busy neighborhoods, please follow these important guidelines:

  • Place carts at the road edge the night before your scheduled service day
  • Leave at least three feet between your garbage, recycling, and yard waste carts
  • Keep carts at least five feet away from vehicles, mailboxes, fences, and other obstacles
  • Remove carts from the road edge as soon as possible after collection
  • Do not place items next to carts — we are not responsible for anything left outside the containers

Thank you for helping us provide safe and efficient service to all of Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma garbage collection general guidelines

Extra Garbage/Recycling/Compost

If your garbage cart is overloaded and the lid will not close, a fee of $11.20 per extra bag will be charged.

We do not collect extra bags, cans, or recycling placed next to your cart unless you contact us at least one day in advance.
To request extra pickup, please call (707) 996-7555 or contact us before your service day.

For extra yard waste or recycling, additional green/blue carts are available to rent for $29.87 per month for 64 gallons or $45.42 per month for 96 gallons, with a 3-month minimum rental required.

To help ensure your cart empties completely, always place garbage and recycling loosely inside. Do not overstuff or jam materials into the cart.

Contaminated Compost/Yard Waste/Recycling

Please be sure to place only the correct materials in your blue recycling and green yard waste carts. If garbage or plastic bags are found in these containers, a contamination fee will be charged.

To avoid fees and help us keep recyclable and compostable materials out of the landfill, always follow proper sorting guidelines.

Click here to view Recycle Guidelines for a full list of what is and isn’t allowed in your recycling and yard waste carts.

Compost/Yard Waste Service

Mandatory Organics Recycling – SB 1383 (Effective January 1, 2022)

Under California law (SB 1383), all residents are required to separate organic materials into their green compost/yard waste cart.

Important: You may no longer use your own containers for yard waste or compost. If you do not currently have a green cart, please contact us and we will provide one for you.

Thank you for doing your part to help reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions!

Composting Regulations

Vacation Holds

You may suspend your service up to two times per year.

To request a suspension, please contact us before your scheduled pickup day and provide both a stop and resume date.

To receive billing credit, the suspension must be for at least one full month. If your service is paused for more than two months, your carts will be temporarily removed and returned when service resumes.

California SB1383 Compliance

Mandatory Compost Recycling

NOTICE: Due to the new mandatory CalRecycle SB1383 legislation starting January 1st 2022. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPOST. Food waste will no longer be allowed in the garbage.

PLEASE NOTE: Personal compost or yard waste containers are no longer allowed. For safety and proper collection, you must use the green cart provided by Sonoma Garbage Collectors. Our trucks are equipped to lift and empty only the standard issue large containers.

If you need a cart, just give us a call and we’ll be happy to deliver one – please Contact Us Here.

SEE IMPORTANT SB1383 INFO
Sonoma California Recycling

Sonoma Recycling

California has established statewide recycling regulations that apply to residents, businesses, and multi-family properties. These rules are designed to reduce landfill waste, conserve resources, and support a cleaner environment. Requirements vary by property type, so it’s important to know what’s expected.

RECYCLING GUIDELINES
Sonoma oil recycling

Got Oil? Recycling It!

Do you change your own motor oil? We make it easy to recycle! You can request a free oil recycling kit with your service. Simply transfer used motor oil into one of our provided containers and place your oil filter in the zip-closure bag.

When you’re ready for pickup, just call or email us to schedule it. Collection happens on your regular service day.

REQUEST OIL KIT

Need Debris Boxes?
We've Got You Covered!

Whether you’re tackling a home renovation, clearing out a property, or managing a construction project, our debris box rentals make cleanup easy. We offer a range of sizes and prompt delivery and pickup, all backed by the reliable, local service Sonoma has trusted for decades.

SONOMA DEBRIS BOXES