Commercial Garbage Service

Marin Sanitary Service provides a variety of cart and/or bins for the collection of garbage, or non-recyclable and non-compostable items. All items placed in designated garbage carts or bins will go directly to the landfill.

The size and number of garbage carts and/or bins a business uses varies, but what goes in these garbage receptacles remains the same: garbage only. Your garbage receptacle should be clearly marked and easy to identify.

Please help us in reaching Marin’s zero waste goals by making sure that what you put into your garbage belongs there and not in the recycling or compostables receptacles.

Visit our Commercial Services page to review the size and container options for commercial customers.

WHERE DOES IT GO, JOE?

It can be difficult to know what material goes into what container, but it’s very important that we avoid contaminating our recycling or compostable streams. When in doubt, use our handy “Where Does It Go, Joe?” online tool to find out what material goes where.

GET THE WHERE DOES IT GO, JOE APP

You’ll always have Joe’s sorting advice at your fingertips with the Where Does It Go, Joe? mobile app. Get it now for free!

Below we’ve listed some general guidelines about what can and cannot go into your garbage cart or bin, but the list isn’t comprehensive. When in doubt, please use the Where Does It Go, Joe tool above to look up a what cart a specific item should go into.

WHAT CAN GO IN YOUR GARBAGE CART OR BIN

	–	Plastic bags and plastic film wrap
		Ceramic dishware
		Diapers
		Foil/plastic lined paper or paperboard
		Glass mirrors or windows
		Light bulbs (not CFLs)
		All Styrofoam products
		Juice, soup, soy, milk boxes & cartons
		Cat litter & animal waste
		Non-recyclable plastics & rubber
		All compostable plastics including cups, utensils and food containers. Clean plastic bags may be returned to your local grocery store for recycling.

WHAT CANNOT GO IN YOUR GARBAGE CART OR BIN

	–	Accepted recyclable materials
		Hazardous waste: fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or tubes, batteries, paint, pesticides, cleaning products or electronics. All of these items must be delivered to the Marin Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
		Household appliances or furniture
		Construction materials or debris such as dirt, rock or concrete
		Yard waste or food waste

IT’S THE LAW

Per California law, compostables (food scraps and plant debris) and recycling must be removed from business’ garbage containers.

Learn more about commercial recycling laws here.

DON’T OVERFILL

One of the most common issues we run into with commercial customers is overfilled receptacles. Please help us by doing your part in keeping your garbage inside the receptacle.

Consistently contaminated or overloaded containers may result in fees.
Cart and bin lids must close completely. Environmental regulations dictate that cart lids must be closed at all times to prevent spillage. Containers that are consistently overloaded and not closed may indicate the need to upgrade to the next larger container size.
Remove any weights, bungee cords or ropes that were used to secure the lids of carts on your pick-up day. These can cause problems with the equipment and undue delays for the driver.
MSS will not be responsible for loss of bungee cords, ropes, etc.

EXTRA MATERIAL

Fees apply for any extra bags of garbage next to, on top of, or overflowing from designated containers. Extra bags must be less than 60 pounds and 32 gallons in volume.

MISSED COLLECTION

Missed collections must be reported within 48 hours of the service day. MSS will make every effort to return that same if the miss is reported by noon or the following day if the miss is reported after noon. Any misses reported after 48 hours will be subject to a fee for collection.