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It’s been one year since South Tahoe Refuse (STR) transitioned to a 3-cart system for residential waste. The new semi-automated collection program is safer for STR employees, reduces the use of plastic bags, and keeps recyclables and yard waste out of the landfill. It was designed to comply with California’s Senate Bill 1383, which mandates the separation of organic waste from regular garbage.
South Tahoe Refuse wants to thank every customer for making the effort to use the carts correctly and embracing the change in trash management.
YARD WASTE
The most notable and successful change has been the dramatic increase in yard waste collected and sent to STR’s composting partners, Full Circle Compost and Bently Ranch. Yard waste includes pine needles, pinecones, branches, grass clippings, and other vegetative waste.
Since transitioning to the 3-cart system, yard waste collected from the residential program and sent for composting has increased by 481%. From October 2024, when cart collection began, to October 2025, 10,555,140 pounds of yard waste was collected and sent for composting, compared to only 1,817,020 the previous year.
RECYCLING
South Tahoe Refuse has also been able to capture more material from the blue recycling carts compared to the previous system of using blue bags.
Before switching to carts, from November 2023 to October 2024, 3,676,968 pounds of recyclable material was pulled from the garbage, but during the first twelve months of cart collection, 4,939,033 pounds of cardboard, paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic was recovered and sent off to our recycling partners, a 34 % increase.
STR’s operations have shifted to accommodate the new program. Prior to the 3-cart system, recycling was recovered from all garbage containers. Since switching to carts, recycling is now recovered from residential blue carts and both commercial recycling and garbage dumpsters and separated at STR by material type. This new system is much more efficient for recovering clean cardboard, paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic.
EDUCATION
Considering this has been such a significant change for our community, education and outreach has been a main priority throughout the transition, with STR staff reaching out to the community at Farmers Markets and other events, providing presentations, initiating a newsletter, and educating the next generation. STR staff teaches classroom lessons at LTUSD focused on proper sorting, leads recycling games as part of the South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition, and organizes STR facility tours for students to see the recycling process in action.
In addition, the STR Customer Service Team is always available to answer questions. To stay up to date on cart information and schedules, visit http://www.SouthTahoeRefuse.com or download the STR app. Customers can also access the Service Guide, found at https://southtahoerefuse.com/residential/, for clarification on sorting and best cart management practices. For further questions, including cart repairs and size swaps, contact the STR office at 530-541-5105 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
