South Tahoe Refuse Company has been recycling your household items since 1995 through the Material Recovery Facility or "MRF."  Prior to the installation of this facility, an intensive study was performed to determine the best way to collect and recycle all of the household recyclable items in the South Lake Tahoe area. Due to the large number of vacation rentals and tourist accommodations in the area, it was determined that the operation of a "MRF" would be the most efficient and successful method of accomplishing this task.

Collection of waste in one truck reduces vehicle miles and emissions and eliminates the problems that curbside recycling would pose for snow removal operations.

The "MRF" facility at the South Tahoe Refuse Transfer Station is designed so that all household refuse brought to the facility can be sorted.  Each recyclable material is extracted and sorted by type; aluminum, glass, plastic, mixed paper, cardboard, wood and metals. The items are then sent to various manufacturers. This process, in essence, is "curbside recycling" - with one exception, we do it all for you! The result is that ALL materials are recycled, not just the materials from customers who would choose to use a "curbside program."

When the new Green Waste Facility is completed, the collection and recycling of even more material will be made possible, thus reducing the amount of refuse sent to the landfill.

For more information on the recycling facilities and processes at South Tahoe Refuse, contact
Jeanne Lear at (530) 542-8366.

2007 Recycling Statistics

• South Lake Tahoe generated over 130,000 tons of trash
• We recycled approximately 50% - over 58,000 tons
• Saved an estimated 4,911 MTCE in greenhouse gases - the equivalent of removing 3,898 cars from the roadway
• Recycled over 1,200 tons of cardboard and paper products, saving over 20,400 trees

Across the pages of the South Tahoe Refuse site, you will find information both specific to our programs as well as more general information regarding recycling and hazardous wastes. Please take the time to browse these pages and become familiar with our programs.