FAQs

FAQs

Click the questions to view the answers.

I just moved to the area. How do I start my service?
Welcome to Livermore! A form is required in order to start/stop service. Click Here to download the form.

I need to cancel my service.
Sure, you can fill out our form online or download the form here.

What can I do to make sure my carts are serviced each week?

Our "How-To" brochure lists a number of setout tips. click here to download it for easy reference.

Here's a quick summary:

  • Make sure you know your collection day. Log in to your account or click here to see when we service your area.

Map
  • On your collection day, be sure your carts are at the curb by 6am.
  • Leave the carts at the curb until we've emptied them. Our trucks can arrive at different times each week.
  • Place your carts facing the street with wheels against the curb.
  • Leave 3 feet between each cart.
  • Do not place carts too close to parked cars, fire hydrants, low-hanging branches, and other obstacles.
Collection
  • Do not overload your carts. The lid should close completely.
  • Do not wedge or compact materials into your carts.
  • If you have extra waste, please contact us to arrange for additional service.

I don't like it when shredded paper and packing peanuts litter the street after collection.

Neither do we! Here are a few tips to prevent those loose ends from escaping.

  • Put your papers inside a paper bag and seal it with a staple. Place the sealed bag in your blue cart.
  • Bag all Styrofoam packing peanuts before putting in the garbage.
  • Place breakable items in the middle or bottom of the appropriate cart.

Today was my service day and one of my carts was not emptied. What should I do?

Please leave that cart out at the curb. If your neighbors' carts were all emptied or it's after 6pm, then it's likely we accidently missed your cart. Contact us immediately and we will send a truck back around as soon as possible.


Can I exchange my recycling or organics cart for a different size?

Yes. Please contact us to request an exchange. We offer 32, 64 and 96-gallon carts. Exchanges are done within a few weeks of request on your regular service day. Before requesting a smaller cart, be sure to give the larger one a try. Review the list of acceptable items in our Residential Service Guide and see if you can use the higher capacity. It is important to note that the large cart does not cost more than a smaller one.


Is there a charge to have a cart exchanged?

Every twelve months, we will do one exchange for no charge.


My 96-gallon recycling cart doesn’t fit in the space I have to store it. Will a smaller one?

The 64-gallon has almost the same footprint so might not fit either. Consider getting a 32-gallon or creating a bigger storage space.


I'm not using the kitchen pail you provided. What should I do with it?

Use if for another purpose or place it inside your blue recycling cart.


What goes in each of my carts?

Garbage goes in the gray, recyclables in the blue, and, organics (yard trimmings, food scraps and food-soiled paper) in the green. click here to download our Residential Service Guide.

blue blue blue
Blue:
mixed recyclables		 Green:
organics (food/yard waste)		 Gray:
garbage

What exactly are Recyclables?

Most paper products (junk mail, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, boxes), glass bottles & jars, metal & aluminum cans, e-waste peripherals (keyboards, mice, power strips, desktop speakers) and plastic containers marked with the recycling symbol and a number 1-7.

Recyclables

What do you mean by Organics?

Organics come from your kitchen and yard. They include yard trimmings, food scraps, food-soiled paper, and wax-coated paper.

Organics

I'm not sure I want to use the kitchen pail. Is there another way to separate food scraps?

You can use whatever works for you! Try using a paper dairy carton, a different type of kitchen pail or can, or even just a paper bag. You might also consider freezing food waste and/or wrapping it in newspaper before placing it in your green cart.


I do my own gardening and could really use some good quality compost. Why should I give Livermore Sanitation all my organic waste?

You don't have to give your organic waste away. In fact, many gardeners transform their kitchen scraps and lawn clippings into their own high quality compost. We invite you to do the same. Click here for information on how to start your own compost program.


I recently replaced my fridge (or my water heater, or my sofa, or my bed, or my ...). What do I do with the old one?

You have several options. Assuming the unwanted item is still in reasonable shape, you can do the following:

If you just need it taken away, schedule a Cleanup or Bulky Item Collection.


I have questions regarding my last invoice. Is there someone who can help me?

Absolutely. Please contact us by phone or using our online form. We want you to understand how our invoicing works; and we want to correct any mistakes as quickly as possible.


What should I do with my leftover paint/ fertilizer/pool chemicals?

No liquid or hazardous items can go in any of our carts. Please click here for information.

Hazardous items include:

  • Pesticides
  • Fertilizers
  • Pool chemicals
  • Photo chemicals
  • Paint/varnish
  • Toxic cleaning products
  • Mercury-containing items (thermometers & fluorescent lamps, for example)
  • Medications
  • Sharps/needles

Is it true that you provide curbside collection of household batteries? What about cell phones, unwanted clothing, and used motor oil/filters?

Yes! On your collection day, place your household batteries in a clear zipper-lock plastic bag and place it on top of your blue cart. We'll collect alkaline and pile lithium batteries including A, AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt, rechargeable, camera, watch, hearing aid, calculator and similar. Please tape terminals on all lithium, 6-volt and 9-volt alkaline batteries.

We also have curbside pickup of these items:

  • Motor oil should be contained in 1-gallon jugs that are clearly marked and tightly sealed. You can contact us to arrange for free delivery of oil jugs & filter bags. We'll collect 1-gallon per household each week and will leave a replacement jug and filter bag behind. Please place your oil/filter next to (NOT INSIDE) your recycling cart for collection.
  • Cell phones should be bagged in a clear zipper-locked plastic bag (separately from batteries) and placed on top of your recycling cart on collection day.
  • Clothing (gently worn clothing and linens) should be placed in a clear bag next to your blue cart. We will only collect textiles during the first week of each quarter (January, April, July & October). The textiles we collect will be donated to a local charity.

I'm doing some work on my house and have more garbage than usual. How do I get rid of it?

Look into scheduling an on-call cleanup or ordering a handy hauler bin or a debris box. Whether you're cleaning out your garage, re-landscaping your yard, remodeling your kitchen, or deep cleaning, we have just the right size bin to suit your needs. Contact us or check out the service menu for complete information.


I just witnessed some illegal dumping. What should I do?

Report it! Use the online form on the "Contact Us" page.


I'm sick of all this junk mail! Is there a way to make it stop?

Visit www.stopjunkmail.org. To cut back on unsolicited catalogues, visit www.catalogchoice.org


I'm about to move/just finished moving. Where can I get/ get rid of boxes?

Post reusable boxes on www.freecycle.org and/or try using www.freecardboardboxes.com.


I cleaned out my closet and found lots of good stuff I no longer wear. What should I do with it?

Passing your things back into circulation helps other people AND keeps your landfill from overflowing. You can contact:
www.satruck.org
www.EastBayGoodwill.org
www.freecycle.org
Or you can participate in our quarterly textile collection. Review our Residential Service Guide for more information


I'm moving and have an entire pantry full of food I can't use. I'd hate for it to go to waste- any suggestions?

Good for you. There's too much need to throw away food. Visit the Alameda County Food Bank to pass on your bounty.


I'm looking for basic waste reduction and recycling information. Any good sites to visit?
How do I dispose of e-waste?

Electronics need special handling. You can properly dispose of a limited number of e-waste items through our Cleanup Program. You may also have them collected via a special pickup. If you're looking to dispose of numerous pieces of e-waste, visit the CalRecyle website and search their database for drop-off locations.


My child's school doesn't have any green programs. How can I help them to start?

Teachers can find tools to for hands-on environmental education:

Environmental Education for Kids (EEK!)
Go Green Initiative
Waste-Free Lunches
Recycling Paper

Teachers can also contact us to arrange for a presentation.


I'm interested in teaching my child more about the environment. Any suggestions?

I'd like to reward companies that go out of their way to do the right thing. Is there a way to find local green businesses?

Yes! Visit www.greenbiz.ca.gov


Didn't see your question?

Visit our Publications & Resources page or contact us for answer