RECYCLING SERVICES
Curbside recycle collection is a voluntary, no-charge service in Santa Maria. You may start your recycling curbside service when you start your trash service. Or, if you are already a trash customer, you may start recycling by calling extension 7270 or by utilizing the Send A Message button at the top of this screen.
Please have your recycle (blue-lid) container at the curb before 6:30 a.m. on your recycle day. Schedule is based on your trash collection day - every other week. To confirm your recycling schedule, you may request the schedule by clicking on the "Send A Message" button at the top of this page.
RECYCLING YOUR WAY TO CASH SAVINGS
AND A CLEANER COMMUNITY
Listen to our 30-second recycling commercial!
More than 94 percent of Santa Maria residents are now participating in the
City's state-of-the-art curbside recycling program - and City officials hope
to increase that number to 100 percent.
There is no additional charge for recycling services within the City of Santa Maria and by recycling household items, customers can reduce their
utility bills up to $3.25 each month. That's because when you divert recyclables to your free recycling container, you reduce the need for space in your waste container. This can result in
downsizing your waste container from a 90-gallon size to a more cost-effective 60-gallon size.
Follow these simple steps to cost savings and a cleaner community:
- Call today to request recycling services at 925-0951, ext. 7270. A recycling container will be
delivered to you within 48 hours. It will be collected every other week on
the same day as your normal waste collection service.
- Put all of your household recyclables in the recycle container.
- Rinse out cans and bottles before recycling.
- Place materials loosely in your recycling container.
- On collection day, place the recycling container at the curb. Allow
approximately three feet of clearance between your waste and recycling
containers.
Here's what to recycle:
- Cardboard boxes -dry and fairly clean
- Telephone books
- Paper grocery bags
- Chip board, (cereal and cracker boxes, paper six-pack holders, and similar
items)
- Paper, including colored inserts
- Unwanted mail, including catalogs and magazines
- Metals, including aluminum, steel, and tin food and beverage cans
- Glass, including clear, green and brown bottles, and jars
- Plastics CRV 1 through 7 (except Styrofoam)
- Plastic grocery bags
The following items cannot be recycled and should not be placed in your home
recycling container:
- Garbage or yard waste or clippings
- Waxed cardboard juice boxes,
milk cartons, waxed paper liners
- Ceramic or ovenware dishes
- Clothing or fabrics
- Wood
- Furniture
- Styrofoam, including packing pellets and larger pieces
Please remember, contamination of a recycling container results in extra services to haul away as trash. Therefore, you may be billed as an extra haul.
Through a grant funded by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the City of Santa Maria and its partner, Textile Waste Solutions, Inc., provide a solution for the community to significantly reduce textile waste. Used clothing that would otherwise be discarded at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill is diverted through a collaborative effort with local non-profit organizations and thrift stores.
Clothing, bedding, belts, shoes, towels, and soft toys - virtually anything made from fabric - can get a second lease on life. They can be reused for people in need within the community. Textile recycling companies around the country work closely with thrift stores and charitable institutions to find new homes and uses for old clothing and fabric items that cannot be sold, freeing up clothing for those less fortunate.
Through collaboration between the City of Santa Maria, Textile Waste Solutions, and local thrift stores, the community has significantly reduced the volume of textiles that would otherwise have ended up in the landfill. The City staff wants to achieve increased textile diversion and inspire neighboring communities to do the same.
Every bit of clothing counts! Clothing with missing buttons, zippers, and holes can be reused for rags that are sold to help pay local workers and to fund the expense of transporting usable clothing. Donate to local thrift stores or bring used clothing to the Utilities Department drop site at the landfill. For more information, call the City of Santa Maria Utilities Department at 925-0951, ext. 7270.
Funding provided by a Grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Zero Waste - You Make It Happen!"
SANTA MARIA HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY
Do you have common household hazardous wastes that need to be disposed of?
Not sure what is toxic? Call and our friendly staff will assist you at 925-0951, ext. 7270.
Listen to Hazardous Waste Public Service Announcement
Residents may simply bring their unwanted waste to the facility, located at the Landfill, 2065 E. Main Street. Upon arrival, they'll see 5,000-square-foot metal canopy providing cover, where trained Utilities staff will help unload their household hazardous waste. Load limits are five gallons or 50 pounds.
The Utilities Department has constructed an expanded Household Hazardous Waste Facility with a 5,000-square-foot metal canopy cover to ensure proper coverage of all disposed waste. The expansion also includes lighting modifications and asphalt paving. This expansion results in a convenient, all-weather location for disposal of common household hazardous materials to better serve the community.
The facility is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE 101
What are Household Hazardous Wastes?
Household Hazardous Wastes are materials commonly used in and around residential households that contain harmful toxic substances.
Some examples:
Paints and paint thinners, pesticides, oil and fuel additives, starter fluids, photo processing chemicals, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, computers, and more. Batteries accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility include AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, and all others, both rechargeable and single use. This also includes lead-acid batteries such as car batteries and lithium batteries. For a comprehensive list of Household Hazardous Wastes, see California Integrated Waste Management Board’s list of Wastes Banned from the Trash.
Why is it important to keep Household Hazardous Wastes out of landfills?
State law mandates it is illegal for landfills to accept Household Hazardous Wastes. It is crucial that we keep these toxins out of our landfills where they can affect water quality and protect our environment.
What else can you do?
In order to reduce the amount of waste needing special treatment, try to only purchase what you really need! To find the motor oil donation center nearest to you, call the County of Santa Barbara at (805) 882-3615.
CALIFORNIA INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD GRANT
With a $200,000 grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board and additional funds provided by the City of Santa Maria, the Department of Utilities has been able to extend facility hours and revamp the former facility.
LANDFILL SERVICES
The City landfill is located at 2065 East Main Street, and is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE YOUR LANDFILL FEE GOES
Closure: 46%
The City is required by State and Federal government to seal off completed portions of the landfill with layers of clay to prevent infiltration by rainfall. The closed landfill must be maintained for 30 years thereafter.
Environmental: 19%
This money goes to comply with County, State and Federal regulations dealing with air and ground water quality.
Operations: 35%
This money goes to pay for labor, equipment, and materials used in the operations of the landfill.
STREET SWEEPING SERVICES
Costs are included in your garbage collection rates. Sweeping schedule is based on your garbage day. Street sweeping is actually performed every other week on the week day following your regular refuse collection day. There is no scheduled street sweeping on Saturday or Sunday.
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