San Ramon
Commercial Service Guidelines
WHAT BELONGS IN THE RECYCLING?
Help your community – Recycle Right!
Know what goes in the container, what doesn’t, & make sure everything is empty, dry & clean.
Avoid contamination! Many times, something you may think is recyclable actually isn’t. Make sure everything you put into the blue Recycling cart/bin is recyclable. Click here for a list of common “wishcycled” items.
CLEAN PAPER & CARDBOARD
Any recyclable paper that tears, including:
-
- Office paper, catalogs, magazines, phone directories, junk mail & books (donate books before recycling them)
- Corrugated cardboard & paper boxes (large or multiple pieces should be flattened and/or cut to fit in cart loosely with lid closed)
- Newspaper (including inserts)
- Cartons (dairy, juice, soup, & milk alternative
- Catalogs, magazines & phone books
- Shredded paper (contained in a paper bag or box – but we prefer you put in the green organics bin)
RECYCLABLE CONTAINERS
EMPTY and CLEAN
GLASS BOTTLES
- All colors
- Food & beverage containers – no drinking glasses, dishes, cookware, window glass, or lightbulbs
ALUMINUM & METAL
- Food & beverage cans
- Aerosol cans (empty)
- Foil & scrap pieces (up to 30 pounds per item)
PLASTICS LABELED #1 – #7
- Bottles, jars, tubs & trays
PLASTIC BAG-IN-BAG
- Place multiple bags/film plastic into one bag & tie off
- No loose bags/film allowed
- Keep all other non-film plastic items loose
NØ GARBAGE, PET WASTE, DIAPERS, PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, STYROFOAM®, ORGANICS, DIRT, BRICK, CONCRETE OR PRESSURIZED TANKS
NØ HAZARDOUS WASTE OR SHARPS
For information on proper disposal of Hazardous Waste please visit: www.sanramon.ca.gov/HHW
PROPER SORTING MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
To help, ACI of San Ramon can provide internal collection containers for recyclables for a fee. Contact us for more information.
Click here for downloadable/printable version of this information.
PLEASE NOTE: Recyclables collection services for San Ramon businesses are offered on a competitive, free market basis. Some recyclers will charge for services, and other may pay for recyclables depending upon type, quantity and quality. Contact us for information about what ACI of San Ramon can do to help start or improve your recycling program today!
WHAT BELONGS IN THE COMMERCIAL ORGANICS?
Keep the stream clean! Proper sorting makes a difference! Thank you!
FOOD SCRAPS
If bagged, please contain in paper or clear/compostable plastic. No black or white plastic bags.
- Fruits & vegetables (including peels, pits & rinds)
- Bread, pasta & other grains
- Dairy products
- Egg shells
- Coffee grounds & tea leaves
- Meat & bones
FOOD-SOILED PAPER
- Paper plates, cups, napkins & towels
- Coffee filters & tea bags
- Paper bags (used to contain/wrap food scraps)
- Paper takeout containers
- Newspaper (used to contain/wrap food scraps)
- Pizza boxes
- Shredded paper (use it to soak up liquids and help with odors)
- Wax paper & wax-coated boxes
- Wooden chopsticks
PLANTS, YARD TRIMMINGS & CLEAN WOOD
- Flowers, grass clippings, leaves & weeds
- Small branches (less than 6” in diameter and 3 feet in length)
- Clean dimensional lumber (less than 3 feet in length) no paint, varnish, treatments, coatings or stains
Compostable, paper, or clear plastic bags permitted. No black or white plastic bags. A list of certified compostable bags can be found at: w.bpiworld.org.
PROPER SORTING MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
To help, ACI of San Ramon can provide internal collection containers for recyclables for a fee. Contact us for more information.
NØ RECYCLABLES, METAL, GLASS, GARBAGE, PET WASTE, DIAPERS, PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, STYROFOAM®, DIRT, BRICK OR CONCRETE
NØ HAZARDOUS WASTE OR SHARPS
For information on proper disposal of Hazardous Waste please visit:www.sanramon.ca.gov/HHW
Click here for a downloadable/printable version of this information.
WHAT BELONGS IN THE GARBAGE?
Before discarding, please consider reusing or donating. Remember: Reduce, Reuse, Rot or Recycle!
NON-RECYCLABLE GLASS SUCH AS:
- Ceramics & drinking glasses
- Lightbulbs (no fluorescent – For information on proper disposal of Hazardous Waste please visitwww.sanramon.ca.gov/HHW.
- Mirrors & window glass
NON-RECYCLABLE PAPER SUCH AS:
- Carbon paper
- Laminated items
- Metallic wrapping paper
- Paper used for cleaning (soiled)
- Photographs
- Vacuum bags
PLASTICS NOT MARKED WITH #1 – #7 SUCH AS:
- 6-pack rings (please cut)
- Non-recyclable food packaging
- Plastic plates & utensils
- Plastic straws & stir sticks
- Records, tapes & CDs
- Shower curtain liners
- Tape (duct, packing, masking)
OTHER
- Balloons (latex & mylar)
- Clothes hangers (metal and plastic)
- Diapers
- Personal hygiene products
- Foam & Styrofoam®
- Hose (garden or rubber)
- Pet feces (bagged)
- Single plastic bags & pieces of plastic film (bag-in-bag only – accepted in recycling)
- Rubber bands
- Textiles: rugs & mats, shoes, clothing & stuffed animals (that cannot be donated)
- Sponges
- Toothpaste tubes
- Toys (try donating first)
- Wood (treated)
NØ RECYCLABLES, DIRT, BRICK, CONCRETE, ORGANICS, HOT ASHES OR PRESSURIZED TANKS
NØ HAZARDOUS WASTE OR SHARPS
For information on proper disposal of Hazardous Waste please visit: www.sanramon.ca.gov/HHW
For a comprehensive list of what belongs in your collection carts, please click here.
Click here for a downloadable/printable version of this information.
PROPER SET OUT
- Keep the area around the containers clear. Make sure our collection vehicles have access to the collection containers and enclosures.
- Avoid overloading the containers. The lids should close completely. If larger sized containers or extra service frequencies are needed, contact us to discuss service changes or to arrange a site visit.
- Materials from a construction, demolition or landscaping project do not belong in the containers. Contact ACI of San Ramon to order a temporary debris box for these items or click here for Debris Box Rates.
ACI OFFERS A VARIETY OF COLLECTION SERVICES:
- We have collection programs for recyclables, organics, construction, demolition debris and more.
- ACI offers wheeled carts, bins (1 to 8 cubic yards) and debris boxes (10 to 40 cubic yards).
- We may be able to assist you with the procurement of a compactor or other necessary equipment.
- Contact us for assistance with enclosure planning for new construction or remodeling.
CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS REQUIRE RECYCLING & COMPOSTING!
Commercial businesses must sort Recyclables, AND Organic material out of the Garbage.
Visit www.CalRecycle.ca.gov for information about Mandatory Commercial Recycling.
Are You Compliant?
Information on legislation related to solid waste in California is available online here at the CalRecycle website.
We can help! Contact us! One of ACI of San Ramon’s Sustainability Specialists will visit your business to:
- Conduct waste assessments.
- Make service suggestions.
- Help train employees/tenants.
- Provide posters and service guides.
- Provide internal collection containers – for a fee.
Hazardous items like pesticides, fertilizers, pool & photo chemicals, paint/varnish, toxic cleaning products, smoke detectors, mercury-containing items (thermometers, CFLs/fluorescent lights, etc.), unwanted medications, and sharps (needles, lancets, etc.) need to be taken to a hazardous waste collection facility.