CR&R Waste Services



	Residential Services Business Services Recycling Billing and Rates

Q: Why is the amount of trash limited to only the three containers (or in some areas two)?

One of the goals of California State Law AB939 was for its cities to divert 50% of its waste from landfills by the year 2000. One of the methods to encourage residential recycling is through either a multi bin recyclable system or a single commingled recyclable system. In either event, the goal is to maximize the amount recycled and to reduce the amount of waste generated. Limiting the amount of waste generated to two or three containers encourages consumers to maximize the use of the recycling bins and to explore other techniques to minimize the amount of household waste generated.

Q: Why can't I choose to have another company pick up my trash?

At one time, several companies were collecting trash in some neighborhoods and it was not uncommon for trash to be sitting out at the curb six out of seven days each week. This situation resulted in such chaos that residents and local jurisdictions sought a solution where only one company would be responsible for service and collection days would be coordinated. The benefits to the cities and their residents include a limit on the number of trucks on residential streets, centralized reporting, standardized containers and collection days, and the economies of a single contractor, all of which contribute to rate stability.

Q: Why didn't the driver pick up my trash this week, when it was out in time on collection day?

This could be the result of "stop-service" because of non-payment on an account or perhaps the containers were obscured from the driver's view. If a collection was missed for any reason other than non-payment, CR&R will send a driver out upon request. Simply call the office at (800) 826-9677.

Q: Why don't you pick up hazardous waste?

A hauler must be certified to transport hazardous materials to a certified landfill to ensure proper disposal. To offer this service would require additional fees and would duplicate programs offered throughout the County.

Q: How can I get extra trash picked up?

Each residential customer is entitled to a "bulky-item" pick-up without charge. Call our customer service department with a description of the material to be collected to schedule a pick-up. As well, CR&R offers "dumpsters" for rent.

Q: Why can't the driver pick up one little extra bag?

The majority of residential waste is collected using an automated collection system operated by a single driver. This methodology allows the driver to collect waste without having to stop and get out of the truck to manually pick up the waste. This methodology also results in the most efficient and safest way to collect residential waste which, in turn, is reflected in the residential rate.

Q: What is my trash collection day?

Residents may call the customer service center closest to them to request collection schedule information.

Q: How do I begin or terminate my waste and recycling service with CR&R?

Customers who would like to begin or terminate their service may do so by contacting the customer service center closest to them.

Q: What size are your rental bins?

CR&R provides rental bins with a capacity of approximately three (3) cubic yards for small jobs, and 10- to 40-cubic yard capacity bins for larger disposal needs.

Q: I live in California, why do we have to take a recycle container if we do not wish to recycle? Why can’t we just have a trash can?

One of the goals of California State Law AB939 was to encourage recycling and required cities to divert 50 percent of their waste from landfills by the year 2000. The commingled automated recycling program has proven extremely effective in improving diversion rates allowing many cities to meet the mandated California target.

Q: Why are we not receiving the proceeds from the sale of recyclables?

The commodities market is highly volatile, unpredictable and subject to wide market swings. The cities served by CR&R have arranged for CR&R’s material recovery facility (MRF) to assume that risk by taking all recyclables regardless of the market fluctuations. While the cities do not earn revenue for the recyclables, they also do not pay for landfill disposal of the less desirable materials or pay a processing fee when the sales price of recyclables is less than the cost of processing.

Q: What, exactly, can I recycle? Do I have to wash out the items for the blue/brown container?

An expanded list of recyclables is provided elsewhere on this website. Briefly, plastics exhibiting the numbers 1-7 in recyclable arrows; most glass food and beverage containers; uncoated, uncontaminated paper, including business papers, shoe boxes, cereal and cracker boxes, newspapers; metals, such as tin and aluminum cans, empty paint cans with dry paint, food and juice cans, and some lawn furniture.

With regard to washing recyclables, it is only necessary to rinse out the bulk of the contents of recyclable containers.

Q: Also, I've heard that some of the recyclables are simply dumped in landfills. Is this true?

No. Once the recycling trucks pick up the materials on collection day, the material travels directly to the Material Recovery Facility, located in Stanton. After delivery, the materials are sorted by hand, then separated by type, washed (if appropriate), compacted, baled and prepared for sale on the open market.

Q: I've seen people digging through my trash, and I've also witnessed people dumping their trash into my cans. What is CR&R doing about these situations?

As the value of recycled goods increases, there has been an increase in "scavenging" by people trying to cherry-pick the most valuable recyclables, such as bottles and cans eligible for redemption, and, more recently, newspapers. In fact, there are now organized groups that go through neighborhoods when trash cans are out.

Residents can reduce the chances of scavengers having access to recyclables by setting the containers out in the morning of pick-up, rather than the night before. You may also want to consider tearing up or shredding personal documents. Also, try placing items that have value (such as soda cans, bottles) on the bottom of the container.

Local police have been alerted to the presence of scavengers. They recommend that you not confront the individual, but call the police Dispatch number (do NOT call 911). Without endangering yourself, try to obtain a description of the individual (s) and their vehicle, as well as a license plate number.

With respect to unauthorized use of your trash can, if you suspect this is occurring, we will send out a supervisor who will inspect the rubbish to see if the source can be identified.

Q: Why am I billed three months in advance for services not yet rendered?

Customers are billed early in the quarter in which service will be rendered, with the payment due within 30 days. Quarterly billing has resulted in lower printing, postage and collection costs, which helps stabilize the rates.

Q: Why is the property owner responsible for the trash bills for their tenants?

Because refuse is being generated at the property, the cities' health and safety laws require that the property owner assume responsibility for those bills.