Redwood Waste Solutions FAQ
What are your hours of operation?
Our local offices and our customer service department are open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For assistance, please call 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400 or visit us at 325A East Redwood Avenue, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437 or 3515 Taylor Drive, Ukiah, CA, 95482 and 325A East Redwood Avenue, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437.
Which holidays do you observe?
No collections are made on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
If the holiday falls on a weekday, that day’s collection will be delayed one day. For example, Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday. That week, Thursday customers will be collected on Friday, and Friday customers will be collected on Saturday. Normal collection resumes the following week. Holidays that fall on weekends will not disrupt collection services.
I just started service. When do I get a bill?
Residential customers are billed monthly. Residential customers may pay by check, cash or credit card. Online payments may be made here.
Commercial and multifamily customers are billed monthly. Bills are due upon receipt. Commercial customers may pay by check, cash or credit card. Online payments may be made here.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept check, cash, money order, credit card, and online payments. Bills are due and payable within 30 days from date of invoice.
Payment options include the following:
- Checks or money orders may be mailed to P.O. Box 7428, Pasadena, CA 91109-7428. Please indicate your account number on your check or money order.
- Payments may be made by credit card over the phone by calling our office at 707-234-6400 or by calling our automated phone line at 855-569-2719.
- Payments by check, cash or money order can be delivered in person to our offices located at 325A East Redwood Avenue, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437 or 3515 Taylor Drive, Ukiah, CA, 95482, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Payments can be made online here.
Can I pay my bill online?
Yes, customers may pay their bills online here.
If I go on vacation, can I suspend my account?
Residential customers may suspend service for four weeks or more. They will be billed pro-rata for actual services received. To suspend service during a vacation, please contact our customer service office at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400.
Are discounts available for senior citizens?
Not at the present time.
How can I get a smaller or larger cart?
Please call our customer service department at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400 to request a different size cart. Our customer service representatives will advise you of the different sizes and rates. You will be asked to leave your cart out after your collection day for an exchange. Carts must be empty in order to be exchanged.
What is the weight limit on my carts?
Carts must not exceed 75 lbs. Carts exceeding this weight limit will damage the automated “arm” on the collection truck.
When should I set out my carts?
Carts should be placed at the curb or roadway edge before 5:00 a.m. on collection day. Customers are encouraged to place carts out for collection the night before scheduled service if permitted to do so in certain areas or neighborhoods.
Where should I set out my carts?
Carts should be placed at the curb or roadway edge before 5:00 a.m. on collection day. Please keep carts away from mailboxes and cars and allow a clearance of at least 15 feet above the carts.
How should I arrange my carts?
Please allow 3 feet of space between carts and make sure the arrows on the carts face the street or road.
What time will you empty my carts?
Times vary by location. As a general rule, collection starts very early. Carts need to be out for collection by 5:00 a.m. Customers are encouraged to place carts out for collection the night before scheduled service if permitted to do so in certain areas or neighborhoods.
What do I do if my cart wasn’t picked up?
Call us immediately at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400 if your carts were not picked up by the end of your regularly scheduled day. Please remember that collection times can vary from week to week due to such things as equipment issues, traffic or new routing. Also, an additional trip charge may apply if your carts were not set out in the appropriate place at the appropriate time.
Why does the driver pick up two different carts of materials at the same time?
In many locations, we use a “split-body” truck that allows us to pick up two materials at one stop. A toggle switch in the cab of the truck activates a flap that directs materials to a certain compartment, which keeps material separate and free of contamination.
This “split-body” collection system is an innovative approach to material collection that reduces truck traffic and noise in neighborhoods. Also, by eliminating one collection pass, there is less wear-and-tear on roads and less emissions.
What items go in my blue cart?
Please put the following empty, clean and dry materials loosely in your blue cart:
- Newspaper
- Household paper
- Magazines
- Cardboard
- Food and beverage glass
- Metal cans
- Plastic food and beverage containers
NEW!! Check out our new mobile app to help you stay cart smart!
What items go in my green cart?
Please put the following materials in your green cart:
- Lawn clippings
- Leaves
- Plant material
- Branches under 4″ in diameter
- Small unpainted wood pieces
- Food scraps
- Soiled paper
- Pizza boxes
NEW!! Check out our new mobile app to help you stay cart smart!
How much am I paying for residential recycling and green waste collection?
One 96 gallon recycling cart and one 96 gallon organics cart are included in your service at no additional charge. If you would like to add additional recycling or organics carts, additional fees will apply. If recyclables and organics are not properly sorted, contamination fees may apply.
If you have any questions about what goes in each cart, please see the RWS Recycling Guide and RWS Mixed Organics Waste Guide, or give us a call at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400.
Is there an advantage to ‘single-stream’ recycling?
Yes! “Single-Stream” recycling means that residential and commercial customers can place all recyclables together in one cart or bin. Customers do not need to separate materials, which is an added convenience. Single-Stream recycling has been proven to increase recycling volumes and help communities divert materials from a landfill.
Why is it important to keep single-stream recyclables clean and free of contamination?
When recyclables are processed at the Material Recovery Facility, they pass over screens and conveyors that are designed to sort materials. Contaminants such as food waste and garbage plug screens and rollers. Other contaminants can cause physical damage to hoses and belts. In both cases, contaminants cause the sorting system to shut down.
Is there a benefit to customers in keeping recycling clean?
Yes! Recyclables are sorted, baled and sold to processors who make new consumer products from them. The sale of recyclables results in revenues for the company that collects them. These revenues help offset some of the costs of collecting all of the carts and bins. Contaminated recyclables cannot be sold, so any loss of revenue to the collection companies ultimately results in higher garbage fees.
I received a tag on my cart. What does that mean?
Tags are placed on carts in response to levels of contamination. If you received an “Oops!” contamination card, it indicates that there is material in the cart that doesn’t belong there. Tagging can be avoided by putting the right stuff in the right cart. Accounts that are tagged multiple times are subject to fines and service disruption.
If you have any questions about what goes in each cart, please see the RWS Recycling Guide and RWS Mixed Organics Waste Guide, or give us a call at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400.
Can I bag my recycling and put it in the blue cart?
No. Material must be placed in your recycling cart loose, not bagged, with the exception of shredded paper, which must be in a clear plastic bag only. Plastic bags become entangled in sorting equipment and end up contaminating the load.
Can I bag my green waste and put it in the green cart?
No. Organic waste goes directly to a shredder for making compost. Any non-paper bags would end up being shredded and contaminate the compost. Even though bags may be certified compostable, they are nearly impossible to identify from non-compostable products so they may be treated as contaminants.
Can I recycle clothes and used toys?
Not in the recycling cart. However, many thrift stores and charitable organizations such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army and local Hospice facilities accept these items. Customers are encouraged to contact these organizations. Reusing these materials is superior to throwing them away.
How do I recycle special items like paint or oil?
Hazardous Waste and Universal Waste is strictly prohibited in all garbage carts, recycle carts, organic waste carts or debris boxes. This includes all paints, thinners, batteries, pesticides, motor oil, fluorescent tubes and electronics such as televisions, monitors, and VCRs.
For information on locations and schedules for Hazardous Waste disposal, contact the Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority at (707) 468-9704 or visit them at www.mendorecycle.org.
How do I recycle home electronics (e-Waste) such as televisions and computers?
Most e-Waste is accepted at the Ukiah Transfer Station & Recycling Center, located at 3151 Taylor Drive, Ukiah, CA 95482. The transfer station accepts TVs, computers, stereo equipment and cell phones and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Alternatively, many thrift stores and charitable organizations such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept these items. Customers are encouraged to contact these organizations. Reusing these materials is superior to throwing them away.
Please contact Mendo Recycle at 707-468-9704 or visit them at www.mendorecycle.org for more e-Waste recycling information and locations.
Where does this e-Waste go?
Materials are delivered to a certified processor where units are disassembled into different components (metal, glass, plastic, etc.). These materials then go to manufacturing facilities to be made into new products. We use an electronics recycler that does not export any materials overseas. It is all recycled domestically.
How do I rent a temporary clean- up bin for my kitchen remodel or massive spring clean?
Please call us at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400 to arrange for delivery of clean-up bin to your home. Small bins are available for “light” projects, and larger debris boxes are available for extensive projects such as remodels, construction or landscape tear-outs.
Please click here for our Container Rental Agreement form. View Bin Agreement
Do you offer recycling at special events such as community fairs and celebrations?
Yes! Contact us at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400 at least 30 days in advance of the event. Each situation is unique and we will help assess how recycling can be handled at your event.
The lid or wheel on my cart is damaged. Can I get a new one?
Yes! Just call customer service at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400. There is no charge for replacing a cart with a malfunctioning lid or wheel that was damaged during the collection process.
However, there is a charge for replacing carts that were damaged by a customer’s misuse, such as placing hot ashes in them, placing sharp metal objects in them, driving into them, or standing on top of them.
If service was stopped for non-payment, can it be restored?
Yes! When service is stopped for nonpayment, the total outstanding bill plus late fees must be paid in full. A reinstatement fee may also apply.
Is there a fee for not returning my carts after I move or discontinue service?
Yes! A fee will be applied to your last bill if a cart is not returned.
How soon can I get my bin or roll-off delivered or emptied?
Please contact customer service for delivery details in your area. If you have not had service with us prior, you will need to visit our office or call 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400 to establish an account before we can deliver a container.
Do you have bins that lock?
Yes! Commercial locking bins are available for a minimal fee. Please allow up to 2 weeks for the bin to be ready since they are made to order.
Can I put my cart on the other side of the street with my neighbor’s cart?
Please place your cart out in front of your own property by the edge of the driveway or curb unless you are notified to do otherwise.
I own a local restaurant. Do I have to recycle my food waste?
Yes. California Senate Bill (SB) 1383 requires all restaurants and businesses to separate organic waste, including food waste and food-soiled paper, from garbage and to subscribe to organic waste collection service.
Additionally, restaurants with 250 or more seats or a total facility size equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet will be required to donate the maximum amount of excess edible food to food recovery organizations by 2024.
At Redwood Waste Solutions, we are committed to ensuring your compliance with SB 1383. Please contact us at 888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400 for a free onsite waste assessment or to schedule service.