Frequently Asked Questions

  • “Clean metal, glass, or plastics" are empty and dry - scrape or shake out food residue.  “Clean paper" is free of food or grease. 
  • Paper items such as cardboard pizza boxes and food to-go containers when they are new or unused can be put in the Recycling cart.
  • Paper items that are food-soiled with leftover food, grease, oil, or liquids on them, they are contaminated and should be ​put into the Organics cart.   
  • Make sure metal, glass, or plastics are empty and dry - scrape or shake out food residue before being placed in the Recycling cart. 
  • Place recyclables loose in the Recycling cart.​
  • Plastic bagged items go to the landfill.
  • Place leaves and yard trimmings loose in the Organics cart.​  
  • Only BPI-certified compostable bags are allowed for food scraps and food-soiled paper in the Organics cart.​
  • All other plastic bagged items go to the landfill instead of being processed as compost.
  • No. Garden hoses should be placed in the Garbage cart.
  • “Tanglers" such as hoses, ropes, cords, wires, and chains can get tangled in machinery and force a shutdown, requiring workers to climb into dangerous equipment to remove the material.

Yes. Food waste (such as fruits and vegetables) and food-soiled paper are accepted in the Organics cart (formerly called the green waste cart) along with leaves and yard trimmings such as ​grass, branches, prunings (4” diameter or less), and clean wood scraps.​

  • Sacramento County residents can take these items for no fee to the County's North Area Recovery Station HHW Facility.  Other options include the City of Elk Grove's Special Waste Collection Center and the Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station HHW Facility. 
  • These material require special handling to protect human health and the environment.
  • Residents and businesses can visit our household hazardous waste (HHW) website page​ for more information including hours and locations.
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