Frequently Asked Questions
Due to county health codes, residential trash services is initiated with the sale of a home. In order to suspend service, property owners must obtain a service exemption from Washoe County and notify WM that the property is vacant. For more information, please call 775-329-8822.
All carts and crates must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day of service.
Service hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Customers should call customer service at (775) 329-8822.
If you decide you need a different cart size combination please contact customer service at (775)329-8822
Customers should call customer service at (775) 329-8822.
Waste that does not fit inside your cart with the lid closed may be placed in a 32-gallon bag, or a 3’x3’x3′ box/bundle (not to exceed 40 pounds) and left at the curb with an excess waste sticker for collection.
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.
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.
Customers can call customer service at 775-329-8822 to check rates and change service levels.
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.
You can place your yard waste in your trash cart. If you have excess yard waste, you can place a 32-gallon bag at the curb with one of your 20 stickers.
Reno residential customers are also entitled to 4 trips to the transfer station per year included with their service. Each trip is good for the disposal of one standard pick-up truck load (3 cubic yards) of material. This option can be used on any normal business day that is convenient for you at the transfer stations in Stead and Reno. Please bring a from of ID or bill to confirm your active account.
You may also add an additional trash or recycling cart(s) to your service for a fee by calling customer service at 775-329-8822.
Residential carts may be collected by drivers from side yards for an additional fee, or no fee for qualifying disabled individuals. A doctor’s note may be required. Call customer service at (775) 329-8822 for details.
Yes. Seniors (70 years or older) under the Reno Franchise Agreement may select the 35-gallon trash cart and 64-gallon recycling cart at a lower rate than the standard service level. Current service levels and prices are listed on the Residential Services Page. Request requires proof of age. Please call 775-329-8822 or visit our office at 100 Vassar Street in Reno to apply.
City of Reno residential Waste Management customers who are current with their bill may dispose of one standard pick-up truckload (3 square yards)of trash four times per 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 accepts one bulky item, such as a mattress or sofa, per household, at no cost for Washoe County residents, Monday through Saturday at the Lockwood Landfill. The landfill is located off Exit 23 on I-80 Eastbound at 2700 East Mustang Road. DO NOT take Exit 22 for the town of Lockwood.
Metal appliances such as stoves, washers, dryers and refrigerators free of coolant may also be recycled for free at Lockwood Regional Landfill or Commercial Row Transfer Station.
The transfer station on Commercial Row accepts Antifreeze, Used Motor Oil and Car Batteries.
Other options include:
Waste Management charges .75 per pound for e-waste.
Acceptable items include: 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.)
Single-stream recycling allows for the collection and processing of a wider variety of recyclable material, including:
Food and liquids spoil the recyclability of paper and cardboard. No liquids or loose food can be placed in the recycling cart. How ever you do not need to wash your recyclables before placing them in your cart. If necessary, use a spatula or paper towel to remove food from containers. Remember to put the food-soiled paper towel in the trash.
The following items are not recyclable in the City of Reno:
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.
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.
All customers are billed for recycling, even if they choose not to participate in the program. However, participation is not mandatory. If you would like the recycling cart removed, please call customer service at 775-329-8822. Removal may take a week from the date of the request.
Nevada does not have a redemption program like California and other states. 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 material.
While source-separated recycling in crates used to be an effective method of collection, single-stream recycling has proven far more effective at increasing the recycling rate. In addition, many customers believed the old source-separated recycling program was not convenient. Customers want a simpler, more convenient recycling program that takes advantage of current technology, and allows the community to reduce the overall impact on the environment. The implementation of single-stream recycling increased residential recycling participation 300% in the Reno area.
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.