Sorting through Republic Services’ garbage rules for Clayton

Clayton, CA — Have a question for the city, county, or a local service provider or business? “Ask Us.” Maybe we can help.

Q: Republic Services contracts with the city of Clayton to pick up residents’ garbage. They have given us a long list of items we are not to put in our blue garbage can: like garden hoses, soiled containers, clothes and foam products. We are also asked to reduce our consumption of plastic bags, take-out containers, junk mail and yogurt cups. How are we supposed to get rid of this garbage if the garbage company won’t take it?

We asked Susan Hurl, municipal services manager at Republic Services, for help.

Garbage Guidelines

It can be confusing trying to figure out what goes in each cart. To help you out, here’s what is in Republic Services’ 2020 Clayton Customer Guide:

• What not to place in trash (blue cart): Batteries, fluorescent bulbs, hazardous waste, medical sharps, recyclables, yard waste.
• What not to place in recycle (brown cart): Batteries, ceramics, clothes hangers, electronics (including DVDs, CDs, ink cartridges), food scraps, green waste, garbage, hazardous waste, plastic bags or wrap, Styrofoam.
• What not to place in yard waste (green cart): Food (including loose vegetables, fruits), garbage, tree trunks or stumps, branches more than 3 inches in diameter or more than 3 feet in length, palm fronds, recyclables, hazardous waste, wine corks, pet waste, plastic bags, sod, dirt, rock, concrete.

When thinking about recycling, please remember:

Empty: Remove any remaining food or liquid contents from a recyclable item before placing it in a recycling container.

Clean. Lightly rinse the recyclable item to remove any remaining residue.

Dry. Gently shake out excess water or let the recyclable item air dry before placing it in a recycling container.

Services for Clayton residents

• E-waste picked up at the curb at no charge, by appointment.
• Two curbside trash cleanups per year at no charge, by appointment.
• Four green waste/cardboard cleanups per year at no charge, by appointment.
• Large item pickups (air conditioners, washers, dryer, refrigerators, furniture, mattresses, stoves, hot water heater, TVs) at the curb at no charge, by appointment.
• Household batteries picked up at the curb. Place in Ziploc bag and leave next to brown recycle cart on your service day.
• Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) picked up at the curb. Place in Ziploc bag and leave next to brown recycle cart on your service day.

If you have other unwanted items, go to www.RecycleWhere.Org for information.

Additional cleanups/pickups can also be scheduled for a fee. To make an appointment or inquire about fees, call 925-685-4711.

For more information, go to www.RepublicServices.com/ClaytonCA or call 925-685-4711.