Customer Updates – Jan 2025 Residential News

Winter Service Reminders

• When you clear your driveway, be sure to dig out a spot for your carts. If you have a snow removal service, provide instructions to them.
• Customers must remove snow and ice from in front of bear boxes to allow doors to swing freely and fully.
• Place trash and recycling carts for collection at the edge of the property line so that they are not in the path of the plow. STR staff will return your carts back on your property after emptying.
• If the plow leaves a berm after you place carts out for collection, our crews will do the best they can to access and empty them. Please do the best you can to keep the area clear.
• If we are significantly delayed or cannot reach certain neighborhoods due to snow or road conditions, we will send out service alerts via email or through the STR app. Sign up using the QR code below.
• Our collection department picks up on all holidays. Don’t forget to have your trash and recycling out by 7:00am on your collection day.

 

Christmas Tree Recycling

STR provides free curbside Christmas tree pickup to all our residential customers. Place your tree next to your trash cart or bear box on your normal pickup day from December 26th – January 9th. Trees must be cut into 5’ lengths and all tinsel, lights, nails, and stands must be removed. Flocked trees are not accepted. Trees are also accepted for free drop off at our Resource Recovery Facility (2121 Eloise Ave.) from December 26th – January 15th. Your Christmas trees will be recycled into compost in the Carson Valley.

 

Waiting for a cart exchange?

Since November, we have been working through the list of requests for different size carts. We had to order additional inventory from the manufacturer for the smaller sizes, so if you requested a 35-gallon trash cart we might not be able to deliver it until late January or February. Our Customer Service Team will contact you when we’re scheduling your swap. Thanks for your patience!  Please remember that each customer is allowed one cart swap request per calendar year.

 

 

What Goes Where Spotlight: Batteries

Household alkaline batteries (think AA, AAA, D, etc.) can be placed inside a clear plastic storage container or Ziploc bag and placed in your RECYCLE CART. Do not put them in the cart loose. Alkaline batteries contain acid and other metals that can be harmful for the environment. We will separate the bag/container from other material through our sorting process and send them for proper disposal.

Items containing lithium batteries (most rechargeable electronics) should not be placed in any STR cart or container due to extreme flammability. They can be brought to our Transfer Station for proper handling and disposal. Common household items that include lithium batteries are: cell phones, tablets, and smart watches, laptops, e-cigarettes/vape pens, battery-powered tools, electric bikes & scooters, hoverboards & one-wheels.

All batteries are free to drop off at our Transfer Station Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm, 2140 Ruth Ave., South Lake Tahoe.

 

Yard Waste Collection Update

Yard waste collection is suspended in the winter months based on snow conditions. We are tentatively scheduled to resume yard waste collection in April, but if we have periods of time with no snow before then, and yard waste cleanup is possible, we will resume pickup for those interested. Notices will be sent via the STR app, email, and posted on our website at: https://southtahoerefuse.com/news-updates/.

When you’re not using your yard waste cart in the winter, please store it upside down to help protect the lid and so it doesn’t fill with snow or water.

 

Food Waste Drop-off

All STR residential customers can drop off their food scraps at no cost!

What: Food scraps only. No bags, “compostable” material, paper products, etc.

Where: Recycle Buy-Back Center, 2192 Ruth Ave.

When: Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

How: Bring your container and dump food waste into our dumpster.

Why: Keep stinky food waste out of your garbage PLUS feel great knowing you helped reduce air pollution that comes from organic material decomposing in a landfill. All food scraps are composted through our partnership with Full Circle Compost.

 

Redeem California CRV Containers for Your Refund

When you purchase certain beverage containers in California, you pay a small deposit (CRV) that is redeemable at Certified Recycling Centers. STR operates such a Recycling Center where you can receive your deposit refund or donate the redemption value to one of many local charities.

Please note the following guidelines for CRV drop-offs:

• The containers must be stamped with one of the following: CA Redemption Value, CA Cash Value, CA Cash Refund.
• All items must be separated by container/material type.
• All materials must be clean & dry.
• State law limits CRV payments to out-of-state customers to no more than twenty-five pounds per material type up to $50/day.

STR’s Recycle Buy-Back Center is located at 2192 Ruth Ave. and operates Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00am – 4:00pm. Non-CRV recyclables can be dropped off at STR’s Resource Recovery Facility at 2121 Eloise Ave.