Houses:Greenwaste and Christmas Trees
	> Backyard and Curbside Recycling Collection ---- · How Does it Work? ---- · What Can be Placed in the Green Waste Can? ---- · How Much Does it Cost? > Reducing Green Waste > Self Haul of Green Waste >Get Free or Low Cost Mulch >Christmas Trees

Choose the following links if you live in an apartment or condo, or the waste comes from a business.

How Does it Work?
The City is divided into two trash zones serviced by BFI and MarBorg. Residences south or west of State Street are serviced by BFI. MarBorg services residences north and east of State. See the Trash and Recycling Service Providers Map to determine your hauler. Call your hauler to initiate or change trash, yard waste, or recycling services.

All single Family residences are entitled to up to 32 gallons (1 can or small cart) of free green waste per week with their garbage service. If that is not enough residents can pay for additional green waste capacity.

The waste hauler will provide either 32 gallon cans or 32, 64 or 96 gallon carts for green waste. Cans take up more room, but will be serviced from their location in the backyard. Carts can store more material in a smaller space, but must be wheeled to the curb by the residents. They have wheels and are easy to move, even when full. Carts may be placed on the street no earlier than 12 hours before collection and must be taken in no later than 24 hours after collection.

What Can be Placed in the Green Waste Container?

Download the Green Waste Recycling Guide in English and Spanish for printable list of items.

How Much Does it Cost?
After the first free 32 gallons, additional yard waste is the same cost as trash. If you have a cart, the price is based on the equivalent number of 32 gallon cans. If you want the 64 gallon cart, you will get the first 32 gallons for free, and be charged only for the second 32 gallons (1 can). For the 96 gallon cart, you will get the first 32 gallons free and be charged for the remaining capacity (2 cans). If you want additional carts or cans, you will be charged the rate of the equivalent number of 32 gallon cans. Download the Single Family Rate Sheet for prices.

Reducing Green Waste

You can reduce the amount of green waste you produce by leaving some of it in the yard. Not only will this return fertility to the soil, but might reduce your green waste production to the free 32 gallons per week.

One of the best things you can do for your lawn is to buy a mulching mower or hire a gardener that uses one. This mower has a special attachment that grinds up the lawn clippings and scatters them back on the lawn. It is called "grasscycling" and the clippings degrade quickly and return nutrients to the soil. It does not leave thatch on the lawn. You should not see a difference between the mulching mower and the bag mower. If you do see some buildup, put the bag on the mower for a of week, and then go back to the mulching mode. Get tips and resources for Grasscycling.

Another way to reduce waste is to use leaf litter as mulch. Autumn leaves can be removed from lawns and flower beds and used as mulch under bushes, shrubbery, and larger plants. Bare soil dries out quickly and is an invitation to weeds. Use leaf mulch to return fertility to the soil, block sunlight from the weed seeds, and reduce the bulk in your yard waste can.

If you have a large load of green waste, you can haul it yourself to MarBorg or the South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station (the former dump) for less than the cost of trash. The load must contain only green waste with the same restrictions as the green waste containers.
Click on these links for complete details:

> South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station Rate Sheet
> MarBorg Self Haul Rate Sheet

Get Free or Low Cost Mulch

Your greenwaste is ground into mulch that can be placed under bushes, shrubbery, and larger plants. Bare soil dries out quickly and is an invitation to weeds. Use mulch to return fertility to the soil, block sunlight from the weed seeds, and keep the soil moist. You can get free mulch from the County or MarBorg. Download the County Mulch handout in both English and Spanish or call MarBorg at 963-1852.

Christmas Trees

Recycle your Christmas tree! Please prepare trees properly for recycling by removing ornaments, tinsel, and plastic or metal tree stands. Flocked trees will not be accepted. You may place your tree next to your greenwaste bin on green waste collection days, or you can haul it to the South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station (the former dump) at no cost through January 19th. Hours are Mon-Sat 7:00-5:00, phone number is 681-4345. If you do not have a greenwaste bin, put the tree on the curb, and call your hauler MarBorg 963-1852 and tell them it is there.