Customer Updates Residential Newsletter – 1st Quarter 2024

New Customer Services New agreements were executed in 2023 for South Tahoe Refuse to continue to provide services to the City of South Lake Tahoe, a portion of El Dorado County, and the Tahoe Township of Douglas County. Those agreements include a number of exciting changes to our services:

• New 3-cart system for curbside collection of trash, mixed recycling, and vegetative/yard waste (beginning late summer 2024)
• All trash/landfill carts will be locking, animal-resistant
• Free unlimited drop-off of vegetative waste for all residential customers
• Seasonal vegetative waste collection events (dates TBA)
• Quarterly newsletter to keep you informed of programs & services
• No-cost residential Household Hazardous Waste drop-off program (up to 20 gallons)
• Curbside holiday tree collection (December 26 – January 15)

Three-cart system brings big changes Beginning in late summer 2024 all households that have curbside service will be receiving carts for trash (unless you have a bear box), recycling, and yard waste. Trash will continue to be collected weekly, and the recycling and yard waste carts will be collected every other week (alternating). Informational material will be delivered along with the carts that will include a collection schedule, details on what goes in each cart, how to place them for collection, and more. STR will notify each customer of the approximate delivery date as implementation of the program gets closer. In the meantime, please check out our webpage for more information: https://southtahoerefuse.com/resources/3-cart-system/ South Tahoe Refuse has been proudly serving our community since 1962 and we look forward to continuing to bring valuable programs and excellent customer service for years to come.

Did you know? Our overall recycling rate in 2023 was 63%! In 2023 we composted 14,754 tons of yard waste!

Expanded food waste drop-off program
Good news! Starting February 1st, the residential food waste drop-off location is moving to the STR Recycle Buy-Back Center at 2192 Ruth Ave. for expanded days and times! Food waste can be dropped off at the Buyback Center Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. There are multiple benefits to participating in the program. Most importantly, if organic waste sits in the landfill, it produces a potent greenhouse gas that harms our atmosphere, but if it is diverted it can be recycled and turned into compost. Participating in the program is easy and free! Use your own container or come by STR’s Customer Service office at 2140 Ruth Ave. to pick up an STR bucket with a resealable lid (one free bucket for each customer) to trap the odor. Details about what can go in the food waste and how to drop-off can be found at: https://southtahoerefuse.com/resources/food-waste.

Safety Alert! Disposal of lithium batteries The use of lithium batteries in everyday products has increased dramatically in the last few years. These batteries are highly volatile – they can explode and cause fires easily, especially if they’re damaged or mishandled. DO NOT dispose of them in your regular trash. Bring them to our facility and we’ll take care of them safely. Common items containing lithium batteries

• Cell phones & tablets
• Laptops
• Electric bikes & scooters
• Hoverboards & one-wheels
• E-cigarettes/vape pens
• Battery-powered tools

Did you know? Reducing food waste is the #1 way to reduce air pollution. Learn more: calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/

Download the South Tahoe Refuse app!

• Never forget a pickup day.
• Look up how to dispose of or recycle household items.
• Sign up for service alerts.