Residential Recycling

Marin Sanitary Service operates a dual-stream recycling program, meaning paper is collected separately from glass, plastic, and metal containers. For our residential customers, we provide split carts for weekly recycling curbside service so that you can easily keep your recycling materials separated.   

WHAT GOES IN THE RECYCLING SPLIT CART

Close up of the top of the MSS residential recyclables split cart showing paper goes in blue side, containers go in brown side

The BLUE side of the split cart is for paper recyclables.

The LIGHT BROWN side is for bottles, cans, jugs, tubs (glass, plastic, and aluminum).

Thank you for making sure your recyclables are empty, clean, and dry before placing them loose in your recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables.

The blue side of the cart is for clean paper and cardboard only.

Please keep all paper separate from other recyclables before placing in the cart to prevent contamination.

MSS Recycling Label - items accepted in the blue recycling cart such as paper, cardboard, magazines and paperboard
A 2ft x 2ft x 2ft cardboard bundle with twine around it

This list isn’t comprehensive. When in doubt, please use the Where Does It Go, Joe tool to look up a what cart a specific item should go into.

Examples of items that do not go in the MSS blue recycling cart such as food-soiled paper, glass, and paper coffee cups

This list isn’t comprehensive. When in doubt, please use the Where Does It Go, Joe tool to look up a what cart a specific item should go into.

The brown side of the cart is for clean bottles, cans, and containers only.

MSS Recycling Label - items accepted in the brown recycling cart such as glass bottles, plastic bottles and metal cans and trays

This list isn’t comprehensive. When in doubt, please use the Where Does It Go, Joe tool to look up a what cart a specific item should go into.

Examples of items that do not go in the MSS brown recycling cart such as plastic bags, paper cups, and black plastic trays

This list isn’t comprehensive. When in doubt, please use the Where Does It Go, Joe tool to look up a what cart a specific item should go into.

Avoid these common recycling contaminants

These items are not recyclable. If you can’t reuse them, they go in garbage.

Where does it go, Joe?

Joe Garbarino, owner of Marin Sanitary Service

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 in what cart. 

GET JOE ON THE GO! You’ll always have Joe’s sorting advice at your fingertips with the Marin Sanitary Service mobile app. Download it for your Apple Device or Google Device now for free!

In this short video, we explain how contamination can ruin your best recycling efforts.

In this short video, we explain how the mantra “bottles, tubs, and jugs” will help ensure that you’re putting the right plastic in your recycling. Remember: keeping your film plastics out of your recycling may feel like a small contribution, but when it’s multiplied by the entire community, it makes an enormous difference!

Extra recycling can be placed in a separate paper bag or small box (no larger than two feet in any direction) next to your recycling cart. Please keep paper products separate from your glass, plastic, and aluminum containers. Extra recyclables are collected at no additional charge for our residential customers. If you find you consistently have extra recycling, please call our office and request to rent a second split cart for a nominal monthly fee. 

Extra cardboard is collected at no additional charge but must be broken down and either stacked into 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft bundles tied with twine or stacked into another small box.

See Extras, Clean-ups, Bulky Items & Other Services for more information.

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

Contact us to report a missed collection. You may also call our office at (415) 456-2601.

Theft of recyclable materials is illegal and may even put you at risk for identify theft. The cities and towns we serve are partnering with Marin Sanitary Service to help prevent future theft. Please help us out. For your safety, if you see someone other than an employee of Marin Sanitary Service removing recyclables from your cart or bin, DO NOT confront the recycling thieves. You may report this information to the number for non-emergency crime reporting, which is 311, or go to your local police force’s website for their crime reporting procedures. If it is not an emergency do not call 911. Non-emergency phone numbers for:
  • San Rafael – (415) 485-3000
  • Larkspur – (415) 927-5150
  • San Anselmo – (415) 258-4610
  • Fairfax – (415) 453-5330
  • Ross – (415) 453-1453
When you call to report the theft, please try to have the following information:
  1. License Number
  2. Good description of the vehicle & person(s)
  3. Time of theft (this is helpful for those who are not in a vehicle: who visit the same street, week after week)
  4. Location/Address

Have Questions?

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

Document Shredding

The Marin Recycling Center offers safe, secure document shredding services. You can come to us, or with our Mobile Shredding Service, we’ll come to you!

Recycling Laws

Per California law, compostables (food scraps, plant debris & food-soiled paper) and recycling must be removed from garbage containers.
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