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
!Contamination Tips
Freeze Smelly Foods to Deter Bears
If you have highly aromatic food waste like meat, fish, or fruit, store it in your freezer until the morning of your garbage pickup. This prevents odors from escaping your outdoor cart and attracting hungry wildlife.
No Plastic Bags in the Recycling
Keep plastic grocery bags and film wrappers strictly in the landfill cart. Bagged recyclables are considered contaminated and will be treated as garbage at the sorting facility.
Clean Bins with Pine-Scented Cleaners
Regularly wash your trash containers using bleach or a heavy-duty pine-scented cleaner to neutralize odors. Avoid fruity or lemony scents, as they can mimic food sources and draw bears to your property.
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.
About South Lake Tahoe Waste Management
Strict Wildlife Protection and Bear-Resistant Carts
South Lake Tahoe is located deep within active bear territory. To combat human-wildlife conflicts, the city transitioned to a rigorous three-cart system featuring specially designed bear-resistant garbage containers for homes without traditional metal bear boxes. City code strictly mandates that trash must never be left out overnight and can only be placed curbside after 6:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled pickup.
Winter Weather and Paused Yard Waste Service
Living in the high-elevation Sierra Nevada means dealing with intense winter snowfall. Because of these unique conditions, South Tahoe Refuse completely pauses curbside yard waste collection during the winter snow months. Residents must also ensure that their regular trash and recycling carts are placed in cleared, shoveled spaces rather than on top of snowbanks so the automated truck arms can safely reach them.
Handling Food Scraps in Bear Country
While many California jurisdictions require food waste to go directly into the green yard waste bin, South Lake Tahoe handles things slightly differently to minimize animal attractants. Residents are instructed to either place food scraps inside their tightly latched bear-resistant garbage cart or utilize a free kitchen countertop pail provided by STR to collect food scraps and drop them off directly at the STR Buy-Back Center.
Free Annual Bulky Item and Yard Waste Collections
California residents serviced by South Tahoe Refuse are entitled to two free bulky item curbside pickups every year, which must be scheduled by appointment. Additionally, STR coordinates dedicated Spring and Fall yard waste collection sweeps, allowing locals to easily dispose of seasonal pine needles, branches, and brush without incurring extra fees.
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
What time should I put my trash out in South Lake Tahoe?
To protect local bears and avoid fines, City Code requires that carts only be placed at the curb after 6:00 a.m. on the morning of your collection day. They must be out by 7:00 a.m. to ensure the trucks don't miss them.
Does my collection day change if there is a holiday?
No. South Tahoe Refuse collects residential waste on all holidays. Put your bins out on your normal scheduled day, even if it falls on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
How do I get rid of excess yard waste that doesn't fit in the green cart?
You can place extra yard waste next to your cart in a 32-gallon container or a paper yard waste bag (no plastic bags) weighing up to 30 lbs. Alternatively, residents can drop off unlimited yard waste at the STR Resource Recovery Facility for free.
Are food scraps required to go into the yard waste bin?
Unlike many cities, STR advises residents to place food scraps either into their securely latched bear-resistant garbage cart, or to collect them in a designated free pail and bring them to the STR Buy-Back Center for specialized composting.