Gray/Black Bin (Trash)
Cart lids must close completely at all times. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your service day with wheels facing the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed household garbage
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken ceramics or glassware
Blue (Split-Cart) Bin (Recycling)
Flatten cardboard; keep paper products separate from glass/plastic/metal within the split-cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastics (#1-#7)
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
No plastic or 'biodegradable' bags. Place items loosely in the green cart. Keep lids closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat and bones
- ✓Food-soiled paper
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Branches and wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two scheduled collections per year
Placement
Must be scheduled with 24-hour notice. Items must be under 60 lbs and 6 feet in length for the base free service.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Dirt or rocks
Additional items or items exceeding weight/size limits incur per-item fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week following the holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
All services (garbage, recycling, and compost) follow the same holiday delay schedule.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, there is no service delay.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No 'Compostable' Plastics
Do not put plastic bags labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' in your green cart; they do not break down in the facility’s system and are treated as contaminants.
Separate Paper from Containers
In the split-cart recycling bin, always keep paper products in one side and your glass, plastic, and metal containers in the other to ensure quality processing.
Close Your Lids
Environmental regulations require all cart lids to remain closed. Overloaded carts with open lids will be charged an extra fee and may be refused service.
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
Varies by billing cycleYour bi-annual curbside cleanup week is set based on your billing cycle. During this week, you can set out up to 14 extra bags or containers of waste at no additional cost.
About San Rafael Waste Management
Unified Curbside Collection Program
San Rafael residents are served by Marin Sanitary Service, which provides a bundled three-cart system designed to maximize landfill diversion. The standard residential package includes a landfill cart for general garbage, a split-cart for recycling, and up to two green carts for compostables, including yard trimmings and food scraps. By automating collection with a modern truck fleet, the city improves route efficiency while minimizing service-related injuries.
SB 1383 and Local Organics Compliance
Following California's SB 1383 mandate, San Rafael requires all residents to separate organic materials from their regular trash. The green cart program is essential for processing food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper into high-quality compost. This finished product is vital for local soil health and agricultural productivity in the region. Residents are encouraged to use the 'Where Does It Go, Joe?' tool on the Marin Sanitary Service website to verify sorting requirements.
Bi-Annual Curbside Cleanup Events
To assist with major seasonal decluttering, San Rafael residents receive two scheduled curbside cleanup opportunities per year, typically in the spring and fall. During these designated weeks, residents can set out up to 14 extra bags or containers of waste at no additional charge on their regular collection day. This program helps manage excess refuse effectively, provided items are correctly sorted into garbage, recycling, or compostable categories.
Bulky Item Disposal and Special Collections
Bulky items such as mattresses, furniture, and appliances require separate scheduling and are not included in the standard curbside cleanup bags. Residential account holders are allotted two free bulky item collections annually, each covering up to two large items. Residents must provide a 24-hour notice before pickup, detailing item dimensions and weight to ensure the appropriate equipment is dispatched to their curb.
Drop-off Facilities
Marin Sanitary Service
535 Jacoby St, San Rafael, CA 94901
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup?
Contact Marin Sanitary Service at (415) 456-2601 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule your free collection.
Can I put compostable plastic bags in the green cart?
No. Plastic bags, even those labeled 'compostable,' are prohibited as they do not break down in the local composting facility.
What if I have extra garbage that doesn't fit in the cart?
Contact customer service before your service day to arrange for extra pickup, which will incur a fee.
How do I determine which week my curbside cleanup is?
Check the cycle code on your utility bill and match it with the Curbside Cleanup calendar on the Marin Sanitary Service website.