Frequently Asked Questions

On this page you will find a list of frequently asked questions. Follow the links below to the appropriate section/answer or choose from the menu on the left. If you have further question, please visit the "Contact Us" page.

General Questions:

• Who is responsible for franchising overall solid waste service?

• Who picks up my garbage?

• Who collects my recyclables and yard clippings?

• Will I receive more than one bill for garbage and recycling services?

• How often will I be billed?

• Can I pay for garbage, recycling and yard clippings service by credit card?

• Whom do I call if I have a question or problem with my service?

• Are there different days for garbage, recycling and yard clippings collection?

• Can I have recycling and yard clippings service without garbage service?

• Can I set out extra garbage from time to time?

• Is garbage service mandatory?

• Why is my garbage rate different from neighboring communities?

Service-Related Questions

• What type of service is provided?

• What are special clean-ups?

• When can I have special clean-ups?

• Can I receive on-property service?

• What if automated service won't work in my neighborhood because of hilly terrain or long, steep driveways?

• How do I know if I’m in a hard-to-serve area?

• If I am a hard-to-serve customer and I want the garbage driver to come onto my property, will I have to pay extra for this?

Cart Questions:

• In what sizes are the garbage containers available?

• Are there color options for the carts?

• Do you have any suggestions for keeping the raccoons and other animals out of these containers?

• Do I have to pay separately for the garbage, recycling and yard clippings carts?

• What if I find that the garbage cart size is wrong for me?

• What should I do if my compactor bag won’t fit in a 32-gallon cart?

• If my container should somehow become damaged, will it be replaced or fixed for free?

• Where should I place the carts?

• What if there is no room for the carts, or my road is too steep?

• There is no room on my street for everyone to set out all 3 containers. What should we do?

• What if I can't wheel the carts to the curb or street side because of a physical disability?

• Can I use my own garbage can if I want to?

Green Waste Questions

• What size is the yard clippings cart?

• Can I set out extra yard clippings?

• Can I have a different size yard clippings cart?

• Do I have to use the yard clippings cart?

• What if I want to put my yard trimmings in plastic bags instead and place them at the curb or street side?

• What types of yard clippings material are acceptable in the program?

• What items are not acceptable in the yard clippings program?

• I home compost. Do I have to pay for yard clippings service?

• I have a gardener who takes away all of my yard trimmings. Do I have to pay for yard clippings service?

• I live in a townhouse complex. I have no backyard and a gardening service takes care of the common areas. Do I have to pay for the yard clippings service?

• How much lower is the monthly rate without yard clippings service?

Recycling Questions:

• What size is the recycling cart?

• Can I have a different size recycling cart?

• Do I have to use the recycling cart?

• My house is too far from the main road to utilize a cart. I used to put crates into the trunk of my car and drive them down. What can I do?

• What types of recyclables are accepted in the curbside program?

• What types of recyclables are not accepted in the curbside program?

• Will Valley Waste Management provide free oil containers?

• What kinds of plastic are included in the recycling program?

• What about polystyrene (styrofoam) or plastic bags?

• Can I recycle juice boxes?

• Does cardboard have to be flattened and cut to a certain size?

• Can I recycle envelopes with plastic windows?

• Do I have to remove staples or paper clips from my paper or cardboard?

• I already recycle by going to the drop-off center. Do I have to pay for the recycling service?

• Who operates the Walnut Creek Recycling Center? Hours and Days of operations?