Single-stream recycling – Recycling is simplified to allow residents to place all approved recyclables in one large wheeled cart for curbside collection. No more sorting into separate crates.
Fully automated collection – New trash trucks will have mechanical arms that lift, tip and empty the carts placed curbside for collection. Since the new trucks use green technology, they will produce less pollution as they are driven through the city.
Free rolling carts for trash/recycling/green waste – Waste Management will provide wheeled-carts for trash, recycling and green waste. Carts will have affixed lids that will help keep neighborhoods clean by reducing litter being blown onto streets and help the environment by keeping trash out of gutters and storm drains.
Curbside bulky item/electronic waste collection – Bulky item collection will be more convenient by allowing residents to have free on-call collection of bulky-items and electronic waste up to three times per year. Residents will be required to call Waste Management to schedule a pickup at least 24 hours in advance of their normal scheduled collection day for service.
Household battery and cellphone collection – Residents will be able to safely dispose of household batteries and cellphones by placing them in sealed clear plastic bags and placing them on top of their recycling carts. Waste Management will collect the batteries and cellphone on the regularly scheduled collection day.

How will the new Bulk Item/Electronic Waste collection work?

Instead of waiting for one of five annual bulky item collection events, single-family and multi-family residents can call Waste Management to schedule bulky item pick-ups at their convenience. Residents can have bulky items picked up three times per year and up to five items per pickup free of charge.

How large are the carts?

Carlsbad Residents will have the choice of 35 gallon, 64 gallon and 96 gallon carts for trash, recycling and green waste. Residents can choose to have carts that are all the same size, or mix and match sizes. The dimensions are as follows:

35-gallon cart=39”H x 20”W x 23”D
64-gallon cart=41.6”H x 26.7”W x 28”D
96-gallon cart= 45.7”H x 28.5”W x 33.7”D

What will the carts look like?

All carts have a base color of green and the lids are different colors based on the materials going inside the carts. Regular trash carts will have a grey lid, recycling carts will have a blue lid, and green waste will have a green lid.

Is there a place we can go and see the new carts?

City of Carlsbad 1635 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.	Waste Management 5960 El Camino Real, Carlsbad Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Carlsbad Municipal Water District 5950 El Camino Real, Carlsbad Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m	Carlsbad Senior Center 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Carlsbad City Library 1775 Dove Ln., Carlsbad Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

How do we select carts?

In the Spring, Waste Management will send an informational mailer including a cart selection card. The default size will be 96 gallon trash, recycling and green waste carts. Residents who prefer the default size do not need to respond. Residents wanting any other sizes will need to return the postage-paid selection. Residents will also have the option to select their cart sizes online.

What happens if I change my mind about the cart size?

After carts have been delivered, residents who find that they need larger or smaller carts will have 90 days to request an exchange for a different size cart at no additional charge.

Will I still have to sort my recyclables?

No. The new solid waste program will have commingled recycling where all materials including plastics 1-7, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard and other recyclables can all be placed in the recycling cart. Plastic grocery bags will not be allowed to be placed in the recycling carts, and residents are encouraged to recycle these bags at local grocery stores.

Do I have to pay more for extra carts?

Residents will be able to have up to two additional recycling and/or green waste carts at no additional cost. There will be extra charges for additional trash carts. If residents may request additional trash containers at the rate of $2.24 a month, also available for the same price are recycling and green waste carts (if residents already have three each).

How will I know which cart to use for the different materials?

Each cart will have a different colored lid and a label to designate the type of material it holds. Trash carts have grey lids, recycle carts have blue lids and green waste carts have green lids. The cart lids will have labels on them that identify acceptable and unacceptable materials that can go into each cart type.

Are the carts hard to move?

No – the carts have wheels and handles that make them very easy to maneuver and place at the curb.

When will I get my carts?

Carts will be delivered during the month of June. Residents will be notified when to expect their carts to be delivered.

What happens if I am not home when they are delivered?

Carts will be delivered at the curb in front of your home sometime during the delivery weeks. If you are going to be away during this time we recommend you make arrangements with family, friends or neighbors to take the carts in after they arrive.

Can I choose which week I want my carts delivered?

Waste Management and their subcontractor will be delivering over 87,000 carts during the four week period. To be efficient and ensure that all residents receive their carts within this time frame they need to keep to the pre-determined delivery schedule.

I did not receive all types of carts requested, how can I receive them?

If after June 29^th, you have not received all types of carts you requested, please call Waste Management’s customer service at (760) 929-9400.

What if I have extra trash that won’t fit it in the cart?

With the new system all material must fit into the appropriate cart. When you select your cart size it is best to base your decision on your usage. For times when you have more material than will fit not into your cart, store excess material for the next week, or consider working with your neighbor to share each other’s carts on those occasions of overflow. If you regularly have more material than fits into the appropriate cart, you may need to move to the next larger size, or order an additional cart.

What happens to my current trash cans?

Residents have the choice of placing their old cans out on a designated day for collection and recycling by Waste Management, or keeping their trash cans for their own use. However, when the new services starts on July 1, 2012, residents may no longer use existing trash cans for curbside collection.

The week following the delivery of your new carts, Waste Management and their sub-contractor will go through your neighborhood to pick up unwanted trash cans and recycle crates. Please use the yellow sticker included in your delivery package to affix to customer owned, unwanted trash cans so the driver can easily identify that you would like it removed. If you missed that opportunity, you can drop off your cans and crates at Waste Management located at 5960 El Camino Real.

Why are we only given one trash cart? We used to be able to put out multiple trash cans.

The 35 gallon carts are slightly larger and can hold a little more trash than the trash cans that residents currently place curbside for collection (32 gallons). Compared to the existing trash cans, the 35 gallon carts can hold slightly more trash, the 64 gallon carts can hold roughly double the trash, and the 96 gallon carts can hold roughly triple the trash. These different sizes are what are available in a number of cities throughout San Diego County and it is anticipated that most residents will find the 96 gallon cart provides more than enough capacity. Also, many residents will find that because they have a much larger cart for recycling, they will be able to recycle items they used to throw away.

How many recycling carts and green waste carts can I have?

Residents can have up to three recycling carts and three green waste of any size at no additional charge.

I received too many carts; will Waste Management pick up the extra carts?

Please call Waste Management after June 29^th to have your additional carts picked up.

Can’t I just trade with my neighbor, or take their extra carts?

Each cart has an identifying number associated with your address. To ensure you are properly invoiced for the amount of service you receive, please call Waste Management after June 29^th to make arrangements to have extra carts either delivered, exchanged or removed.

Residential Cart Service (three cart standard)	Total
35 gallon trash (low generator)	18.02
64 or 96 gallon	19.90
Backyard Service	25.34

Are there other solid waste services I should know about?

There are several solid waste programs that help residents safely dispose of various types of waste. These services include:

Household Hazardous Waste Programs - Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs will not change. The city has contracted to provide free HHW collection for residents at an Oceanside facility (2880 Industry Street; Open every other Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and requires an appointment; 760-929-9400) and a Vista facility (1145 East Taylor Street; Open every Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and does not require an appointment; 800-714-1195). Additionally, the door-to-door collection program will remain ($10 copay required, call 800-714-1195 to make an appointment) and the city will continue to host a one-day annual HHW collection event on a Saturday in April.
Electronic Waste Collection – In addition to the new curbside electronic waste collection program, residents will be able to continue to utilize the Waste Management Buyback Center at the Palomar Transfer Station to safely dispose of unwanted electronic waste. Residents may also utilize any of the HHW programs to dispose of electronic waste.
Buyback Recycling Centers - Residents will continue to have access to the Waste Management Buyback Center at Palomar Transfer Station (760-929-9400) as well as the Recycling Center in Oceanside.
Composting Program – The existing compost program will not change. The program consists of compost bins available to residents at a significantly reduced rate, compost education and instruction on Water Wise gardening. For more information contact the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation at 760-436-7986.

New Solid Waste Service & Rates Q&A

Residential Cart Service (three cart standard)

Total

Contact Information