residential waste management services

Marin Sanitary Service provides comprehensive residential waste management services including weekly garbage, recycling and compostables (food scrap, yard waste and food-soiled paper) collection for residential customers (defined as households of less than four units) in San Rafael, San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield, Kent Woodlands, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Larkspur and other unincorporated areas of Central Marin County. We currently service more than 30,000 residential accounts, almost one third of the population of Marin.

We’re dedicated to a better Marin, and work to promote recycling and diverting waste from our landfills in order to conserve natural resources and to reach our goal of zero waste. We’re not only a local business, we live here too.

New to our Services?

Welcome to the neighborhood!

To start residential service with us, please call our office Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601 or fill out our Contact Us form and we will reach out to you.

Download our Residential Getting Started Guide and learn about services and resources available to you.

Billing

Residential customers are billed quarterly for garbage, recycling, and compostables collection services. Rates are determined by the size and number of landfill carts you have.

If you have questions about your bill, please contact customer support at (415) 456-2601.

What our Fully-Automated Trucks Mean for You

In an effort to increase the speed of collection and to prevent injuries to our drivers, we are transition to a fully-automated truck fleet. This short video shows you how our trucks work. We think they’re pretty nifty, and hope you do too!

Service Options and Cart Sizes

Bundled service package

Residential customers enjoy a basic bundled service package that includes Garbage, Recycling and Compostables (food scrap, yard waste and food-soiled paper) collection services for one low rate.

Our residential 3-cart program provides one cart for garbage (landfill), one split-cart for recycling, and one compostables cart* for yard waste and food scraps/food-soiled paper.

*Fairfax and San Anselmo residents may have up to two compostable carts as part of their bundled service.

Cart sizes

These are your options for residential carts:

Garbage (landfill) carts are available in 20, 32, 64, and 96-gallon sizes. You may upsize your garbage cart or add an additional cart for an increased monthly rate.
Recycling split-cart containers are available in a 64- and 96-gallon sizes.
Compostables carts are available in 32-and 64-gallon sizes. Additional recycling and organics carts are available for a small monthly fee.

When you set up service, a customer support representative will review the cart and size options with you.

Please note that dimensions are approximate and based on the manufacturer may vary slightly from those listed.

Residential Garbage

Garbage (landfill) carts are available in 20, 32, 64, and 96-gallon sizes. You may upsize your garbage cart or add an additional cart for an increased monthly rate.

The 20 and 32 gallon carts appear to be the same size; however, the bottom of the 20 gallon cart has a raised bottom.

Residential Split-Carts

Recycling split-cart containers are available in a 64- and 96-gallon sizes. Additional carts are available for a small monthly fee.

Residential Compostables

Compostables carts are available in 32-and 64-gallon sizes. Additional carts are available for a small monthly fee.

Cart Set Out Rules

Timing

Place all carts at the curb the night before your service day or before 6:00 a.m. the day of service. Fairfax residents should place carts at the curb the night before pick-up.

Don’t Overfill Your Cart

Cart and dumpster lids must close completely. Environmental regulations dictate that cart lids must be closed at all times to prevent spillage. Carts that are overloaded with lids open and/or overweight will be charged an additional fee. Carts 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. We are not responsible for loss of bungee cords, ropes, etc.

Our carts are designed to be picked up by our fully-automated or semi-automated tipper arms on our collection trucks. This specialized arm allows for the weight of the cart to be lifted by the truck and not the driver, which helps keep the driver safe and the routes efficient. Customers who use their own containers for extra yard waste* and/or recyclables MUST follow certain rules to have the materials collected (see Extras, Clean-ups, Bulky Items & Other Services).

*Per the contract, residents in San Anselmo (Tax Body MASA) and Fairfax (Tax Body MAFF) are no longer allowed to set their own cans or bags for yard waste EXCEPT during clean-up days effective 1/2/2021.

How to Put Your Carts Out

All our carts have sturdy handles and wheels making the curbside set out process more convenient.

Place carts at the curb on the street to avoid being blocked by cars. Space carts 2 feet apart and 5 feet from other objects.
Ensure that carts face the street, with the wheels toward the curb.
Make sure wheels and handles are facing away from the street at the curb to help prevent carts from being tipped over as they are serviced by our fully or semi-automated collection systems.
Remove any weights, bungee cords, or ropes before collection day. We are not responsible for the loss of these items.

Moving?

Moving can produce a lot of extra waste so we put together this quick reference guide to help you reduce, reuse, and move more sustainably.

Have Questions?

Our customer support representatives are available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601.

Recycling Laws

What you need to know about California’s mandatory composting and recycling laws.

Where Does It Go, Joe?

Use our online tool to find out what material goes in what cart.