FAQs
The effectiveness of the program will be a citywide effort. Contamination from just one resident can contaminate an entire load of recyclables. Therefore, if a customer places trash in their recycling cart, that customer will be billed for an additional trash pickup. This charge will be added to the next bill.
The 20 excess waste stickers are mailed to customers in January.
The price for extra sticker is $2.39 each or customers can purchase the 20-sticker package for $42.80.
Pricing for additional carts varies depending on the current cart size; it ranges between $5.75 and $9.37 per month. Call 775-329-8822 for specific pricing information based on the current service level or to purchase more stickers.
All carts and crates must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day of service.
Single-stream recycling allows customers the ease and convenience of placing all acceptable recyclable materials into a single cart (customers also have a cart for their solid waste). This enhanced recycling program decreases the amount of waste generated and increases the diversion/recycling rate. Each residential customer is provided a cart for recyclable materials (a green cart with a blue lid) in addition to their trash cart (green cart with a green lid) for trash.
Reno residents asked for single-stream recycling for several years. As a result, on Nov. 7, 2012, the Reno City Council approved the single-stream recycling program, which has made recycling easy and convenient for the residents and increased recycling within the city.
There are several benefits to single-stream recycling:
– Easy and convenient for customers
– More recyclable items accepted
– Enhances neighborhood beautification
– Reduces recycling thefts at the curb
– Increases recycling within the City of Reno
– Improves worker safety
Yes, the franchise agreement with the City of Reno requires all customers to use Waste Management’s trash and recycling carts. Customers cannot use their own carts. Waste Management carts are designed for pick up by our automated collection trucks. The automated truck mechanism is not able to service other customer owned containers.
Below is a list of four options available to Reno customers:
* Senior citizen (70 years and older) rate – $13.23. Verification will be required in order to receive the senior citizen rate.
Yes. Seniors (70 years or older) that select the 35-gallon trash cart and 64-gallon recycling cart pay $13.60 per month (the standard rate for that service is $15.20 per month). Request requires proof of age. Please call 775-329-8822 or visit our office at 100 Vassar Street in Reno to apply.
Single-stream recycling allows for the collection and processing of a wider variety of recyclable material, including:
Recycling is collected every other week.
If you do not know when to place your recycling at the curb, please click here to download a recycling calendar or contact customer service at 775-329-8822.
Customers can call customer service at, 775-329-8822, and ask the representative to swap out the cart(s) and adjust their service level.
All customers are billed for recycling, regardless if they use their single-stream recycling cart or not. However, participation is not mandatory. If a customer would like the recycling cart removed, call customer service at 775-329-8822. The cart will be scheduled for pickup.
In 1991, Reno City Council adopted mandatory recycling for residents as a result of a state recycling mandate.
Reno residents have been billed for recycling services since 1991, even if they don’t participate in the program.
All trash and recyclables must be placed in Waste Management carts.
Excess waste contained in a 32-gallon bag, box or bundle (not to exceed 4’ x 4’ x 4’ or 50 pounds) can be placed at the curb for collection, using one of the 20 excess waste stickers. A sticker must accompany each 32-gallon bag, box or bundle. If customers regularly exceed the trash cart limit, customers should consider increasing their current size, adding another cart to their service or purchasing additional stickers. Call customer service at 775-329-8822, to add another cart or to purchase more stickers.
Yes, if excess waste is generated, customers can place a 32-gallon bag, box or bundle (not to exceed 4’ x 4’ x 4’ or 50 pounds) at the curb with one of the 20 stickers they received for excess waste collection.
City of Reno residential Waste Management customers who are current with their bill may dispose of one standard pickup truck with municipal solid waste four times a year at no cost. Customers may utilize this service any day and time during normal business hours at the Stead Transfer Station or at the Commercial Row Transfer Station.
Waste Management is in the process of building an Ecocenter at the current Commercial Row Transfer Station location. In addition, a Community Center will be onsite to educate visitors about the importance of recycling and conservation. The Ecocenter will also include a community drop-off location for green waste, electronic waste and recycling and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).
The current Waste Management facilities cannot accommodate the recycling volumes generated by the single-stream recycling program. An expanded facility is required to meet the needs of the community.
Waste Management will fully fund the up-front cost of the facility and the equipment.
The following items are not recyclable in the City of Reno:
No liquids or loose food can be placed in the recycling cart. Food and liquids spoil the recyclability of paper and cardboard. If necessary, use a spatula to remove food from containers.
No, Nevada does not have a redemption program. The value of the commodities that are sold are used to help fund the recycling program.
Note: It is against Federal Law for non-California residents to take recyclables to California for monetary benefit.
No. A portion of the operating cost of the recycling program is offset through the sale of recyclable materials.
Recyclables are taken to a processing center where materials are sorted, screened for contamination and baled for shipment. They are then shipped to various destinations including California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Tennessee, Kentucky, Taiwan, Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines, where they are made into new products.
A variety of everyday materials are made from recyclables. Newspapers and magazines make newsprint. Glass is used to create new glass bottles and jars. Aluminum cans make automobile parts and more aluminum cans, and steel cans make construction materials, such as I-Beams. Plastic bottles make toys, carpet, flowerpots and mugs.
You can place your green waste in your solid waste cart. If you have excess green waste, you can place a 32-gallon bag at the curb with one of your 20 stickers. If you have a large amount of green waste it can be disposed of at the transfer station or the Lockwood Landfill.
You may also add an additional waste or recycling cart(s) to your service for a fee by calling customer service at 775-329-8822.
Computers, laptops, computer peripherals (mice, keyboards, speakers, etc.), fax machines, photocopiers, printers, toner, ink cartridges, televisions (five per person per day), VCRs, stereos, DVD players, telephones, cell phones, microwave ovens, rechargeable electronics batteries and consumer electronics may be recycled and processed at the electronic waste drop-off center located at the Eco Center Transfer Station at 1390 E Commercial Row. (E-waste is no longer being handled at 1100 E Commercial Row.)
Car or household batteries, large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers/dryers, etc.), any unit containing sludge or liquids, fire/smoke alarms or detectors, dehumidifiers and medical equipment are not accepted at the curb or any Waste Management facility in northern Nevada.
Electronics are considered hazardous waste; therefore, there are additional costs to recycle them. Waste Management responsibly disposes of e-waste. It is our commitment to prevent hazardous e-waste from entering municipal incinerators or landfills by preventing the exportation of hazardous e-waste to developing countries.
The cost is $0.75 per pound.
Waste Management accepts one bulky item, such as a mattress or sofa, per household, at no cost for Washoe County residents, Monday through Friday at the Lockwood Landfill. The Lockwood Landfill is located in Lockwood, Nevada. Travel East on I-80 to Exit 23 toward Lockwood and follow the signs.
Please contact the following businesses in the Reno area:
Waste Management is working closely with Washoe County to approve the single-stream recycling program. It can only be implemented through an enhancement to Waste Management’s contract with the County. Waste Management does not have the authority to make unilateral changes to our Franchise Agreement. In order for the single-stream recycling program to become a reality in Washoe County, we need the public’s support. You can contact your elected officials by letting them know you want single-stream recycling to be implemented in Washoe County.