1. Check how the lid closes
The latch should engage with minimal effort when you close the lid. You should not need to slam it shut for it to lock properly.

2. Inspect the latch for debris
If the cart is not locking, check the latch area for dirt, snow, ice, or other material that may be preventing it from engaging.

3. Check for cracks or damage
If your cart or lid is cracked or damaged, please let us know. Cracked containers often need to be replaced to ensure proper function and wildlife safety.

4. Still not working? Contact us
If the lid does not easily latch and stay closed after checking for debris and damage, please contact our office at (530) 541-5105. We’ll schedule a technician to inspect the cart and determine if repair or replacement is needed.

A semi-automated 3-cart system has a number of advantages.  Primarily, it is safer for garbage collection workers. Moving to a semi-automated cart system is proven to drastically decrease injuries which will help reduce workers compensation rates and lower future billing increases. In addition, a 3-cart system:

• Is easier for residents to use
• Reduces unnecessary plastic bag waste
• Increases recycling and composting
• Is cleaner for our neighborhoods

If you need a different cart size or an additional cart after using the ones provided for about a month, please contact our office to change your service level. Note that due to inventory and demand for cart exchanges at the beginning of the program, we cannot guarantee any size/service changes until after November 1^st.

STR will continue to service bear boxes for garbage/landfill material only. Continue to place your garbage inside your cans in the bear box. Your recycling and yard waste should be placed inside the blue and green-lid carts respectively and placed out for collection on your pickup day.

Extra cans or bags outside the cart(s) will not be collected unless you’ve given authorization. Charges do apply. Contact our office at 530-541-5105 to learn more and authorize our collection crew to pick up extra material. Customers that consistently have extra may be required to increase their service level. 

Please contact our Customer Service Specialist at 530-541-5105 for all cart-related requests or issues.

• Plastic bottles and jugs (# 1, 2, & 5)
• Aluminum cans
• Steel/tin cans
• Cardboard (flatten)
• Mixed paper, newspaper, office, junk mail, etc.
• Glass containers

No need to sort, just make sure they are clean and dry. Please do not bag your recyclables.

While we strongly encourage all customers to participate in the recycling program, Nevada customers may opt out of receiving the blue-lid recycling cart. Note that opting out does not lower your quarterly rate. If you choose to participate in the recycling program, only recyclable material may go in the blue-lid cart.

South Tahoe Refuse will notify you if you are not placing items in the appropriate cart.  Service fees may be applied.

Carts should be placed at least two (2) feet apart from each other or other objects and within three (3) feet of the roadway. Do not place it behind or too close to trees, mailboxes, lamp posts, snow berms, or parked cars. Do not place cart on top of another object, including snow piles. You are responsible for clearing a path to your containers during snow conditions, and this includes bear boxes.

The process is “semi-automated,” meaning each collection truck will have an STR employee that positions the carts to be tipped into the truck, so we will continue to maneuver around unplowed streets and snow berms when necessary. Customers will be asked to place their carts at the edge of the property line so that they are not in the path of the snowplow and STR employees will return them back to the customer’s property after emptying.

Each property is unique – you may store your cart(s) behind or beside your home, on or under a back porch, or inside your carport or garage. Do not store them on the sidewalk in front of your home or at the curb

In Nevada the recycling and yard waste carts are optional.  All customers without a bear box will need to use the STR-provided garbage cart.

Residents are welcome to keep them for extra yard waste or for other household uses like collecting and transporting recycling to the STR Recycling Center. If you would like it removed, you can tag it with a sticker that will be provided with your new carts and STR will pick it up the week following cart delivery.

Due to the shipment process for the carts, some carts and lids may appear warped or misshapen when they first arrive at your curb. Place the cart in your garage or out of the elements and allow at least 1 week for the cart/lid to relax. If it still appears warped or misshapen after that time, contact STR to discuss options at 530-541-5105.

Each cart will be assigned to an address using a serial number and RFID tag. If a cart is found, it can be tracked and returned to the address it was assigned to. If your cart has been damaged, stolen, or lost, please contact STR to discuss replacement options at 530-541-5105.

The basic upkeep of the carts is the responsibility of the customer, but STR will offer steam-cleaning or a cart exchange at the customer’s request, up to two times per year.  A fee will be charged for such cleaning (or container exchange) at the jurisdiction-approved rate for such service. While basic upkeep of the carts is the responsibility of the customer, STR will service or replace carts that malfunction. Please contact our Customer Service Specialist at 530-541-5105 for all cart-related requests or issues.

No, STR will label the carts in correspondence with the law. Each cart has a serial number identifier in case there is any question of which carts belongs to which address.

Find your schedule here or download the app which will enable you to opt in to receive important service alerts as well.

If for medical reasons, no one in your household is able to place your carts at the curb, STR will collect the carts from your yard at no charge. A medical note from a physician must be filed annually with STR for this service.