Local jurisdictions have contracts with franchised hauling companies to provide service for collection of garbage, recycling, yard debris and food scraps, and motor oil/filters for residences. Curbside services are also available for businesses.
Single-stream recycling means that cans, paper, glass, plastic and cartons can be mixed together. These items are then locally processed for recycling at a materials recovery facility.
Recycling standards are getting stricter. The market is requiring high-quality materials. Bottles and containers need to be empty of food and liquid. Paper needs to be clean and dry.
It is preferable to leave screw-top lids on empty plastic, glass, and metal containers. If lids are removed from the container, they are too small to be recycled.
* Scrap metal accepted curbside varies by area: CUSTOMERS OF RECOLOGY SONOMA MARIN: Scrap metal that has no sharp edges and is less than both 5 inches in diameter and 1 pound or less. CUSTOMERS OF SONOMA COUNTY RESOURCE RECOVERY (WINDSOR ONLY): Scrap and cast aluminum, 40 pounds or less. CUSTOMERS OF SONOMA GARGAGE COLLECTORS: Scrap metal less than 24 inches in diameter, 20 pounds or less. Metal items must fit loosely in the cart.
Visit related topics on this website for reuse, recycling, and proper disposal options for the following materials:
In Windsor, your recyclable materials must be separated.
Put metal, glass, and plastic containers on the blue side and put cardboard and paper on the yellow side.
Available to residential hauling customers in Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Unincorporated County, and Windsor.
To prevent shorting, tape the terminals of all batteries with heavy-duty clear tape.
Place batteries in bag and seal firmly.
Place bag on top of blue recycle cart for pick up. Never put batteries inside the curbside recycling bin. Doing so could start a fire.
Place bagged batteries on top of blue recycle cart for pick up.
For customers of Sonoma Garbage Collectors, put shredded paper in a paper bag inside the cart.
For confidential paper destruction services, see topic Paper, shredded and confidential shredding service
Put shredded paper in a paper bag inside the cart.
Place items loosely in the cart.
The following resources are provided in English and Spanish language. Click on the image to download the .pdf. Visit Downloads & Graphics to download the complete 24-page Zero Waste Guide 2022-2023
