Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Lake Tahoe
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected bi-weekly on your scheduled trash day, alternating with yard waste collection.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected bi-weekly on alternating weeks from recycling (service pauses during winter snow conditions).
Set Out Time
Between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and green waste services are bundled into a single quarterly bill managed by South Tahoe Refuse (STR).
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In-Office
Pro Tip / Discount
A Low-Income Senior Rate is available for permanent residents aged 65 and older who qualify for and participate in the Liberty Utilities CARE program.
Animal-resistant cart (or metal bear box) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely contained, and cart lids must be fully latched. Maximum cart weight is 50 lbs. Never place out overnight; set out between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Plastic bags and wrappers
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Diapers and kitty litter
Blue cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and placed loosely inside the blue cart without being bagged. Extra recycling can go in a 32-gallon can with a tight lid.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Polystyrene foam
- ✕Yard waste
Green cart Bin (Yard Waste)
Loose branches must be securely bundled with twine (no wire), not exceeding 4 feet in length or 30 pounds. This service is bi-weekly and pauses entirely during winter snow conditions.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and pine needles
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Small twigs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free curbside pickups per year for California residents.
Placement
Place items curbside on the morning of your scheduled appointment only to prevent illegal dumping and wildlife attraction.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or rocks
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Heavy automotive parts
California residents receive two complimentary collections annually. Additional items or pickups beyond the limit will incur a service fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
South Tahoe Refuse does not change or delay residential curbside pickup schedules for any holidays. Trucks run normally on all major holidays, so put your carts out on your regular day.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly yard waste collections follow the regular alternating schedule, regardless of holidays, unless paused by winter weather.
While curbside service runs on holidays, the physical Transfer Station and Buy-Back Center facilities are closed on Sundays and all major holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchHeavy snowfall pauses green waste service. You must clear a flat space for your carts on the street edge—do not place carts behind snow berms or bury them in snowdrifts.
Spring
April - MayBears emerge from hibernation hungry. Ensure your bear-resistant latch is functioning flawlessly. If the lock is jammed or broken with ice/debris, contact STR immediately for a replacement.
Fall
September - NovemberTake advantage of STR's scheduled Fall yard waste pickup events to clear your property of highly flammable dry pine needles and dead brush before winter hits.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Mountain Waste Services in South Lake Tahoe
Living in the beautiful Sierra Nevada means adopting unique waste management habits, particularly regarding local wildlife. South Tahoe Refuse (STR) manages all residential curbside collections across the city limits. Because we live in active bear territory, securing municipal solid waste is not just a recommendation; it is a strict city ordinance. STR provides regular weekly pickups, but homeowners must adapt their routines to protect both their property and the local bear population from habituation.
Bear Box Regulations and Collection Times
The absolute most critical rule for South Lake Tahoe residents is never to leave unsecured garbage out overnight. If you do not own an approved, locking metal bear box, your refuse bins can only be placed at the curb between 6:00 a.m. and the time of pickup on your scheduled collection morning. Violating this timing limit or allowing wildlife to scatter your trash will result in hefty code enforcement fines from the city. Bear-resistant carts issued by STR are a popular alternative for homes without a permanent metal enclosure.
Recycling and Defensible Space Yard Waste
STR utilizes a mixed recycling system, often incorporating the Blue Bag program where clean plastics, glass, paper, and aluminum are bagged and placed next to your standard trash. During the warmer months, clearing pine needles, dry brush, and branches is essential for fire safety and maintaining defensible space. The city runs specific yard waste collection programs in the summer and fall, allowing locals to bag their pine needles in heavy-duty yard waste bags for separate pickup, keeping combustible material safely away from residential cabins.
Transfer Station and Bulky Goods Drop-Off
For items too large for the curb, such as old mattresses, broken snowboards, or heavy furniture, residents must utilize the South Tahoe Refuse Transfer Station located on Ruth Avenue. While some curbside bulky item pickups can be arranged for a fee, hauling debris directly to the transfer facility is often the fastest method. Additionally, household hazardous waste, including old ski wax, paint, and automotive fluids, must be dropped off at the specialized hazardous materials facility during designated operating hours to protect the clarity of Lake Tahoe.
Drop-off Facilities
STR Transfer Station
2140 Ruth Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Materials Accepted
STR Buy-Back Center & Food Waste Drop-off
2192 Ruth Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Materials Accepted
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
2150 Ruth Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my trash out the night before pickup?
Absolutely not, unless it is locked securely inside a permitted metal bear box. Unsecured trash put out before 6:00 a.m. on collection day violates city ordinances and attracts bears.
Who do I call to report a missed garbage pickup?
You should contact South Tahoe Refuse directly at (530) 541-5105 to report any missed weekly collections or to schedule a special pickup.
What is the Blue Bag program?
It is STR's recycling method where residents place their clean recyclables into specialized blue translucent bags and leave them on the curb alongside their regular household garbage.