Residential Services: Illustration of a House

Residential Garbage Service

Mill Valley Refuse Service provides residential garbage service in Almonte, Alto, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Homestead, Mill Valley, Strawberry, Tiburon and several unincorporated areas of Marin County.

Visit our Residential Service Guidelines to learn more about our collection service.

At a Glance

  • Use your own Garbage Cart.
  • Garbage is collected weekly.
  • Cart(s) must be at the street by 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day.
  • Everything in your Garbage Cart goes directly to landfill.
  • IMPORTANT Contaminated Garbage Carts (ones that contain any material that does not belong in landfill) may not be dumped.
Mill Valley Refuse Service Garbage

What Goes Where?

Not sure how to properly dispose of something? Search our What Goes Where tool to find out if a material can be reused, recycled, composted, or disposed of in your trash.

Tip: This tool works best if you search for categories instead of a brand name or very particular product. For instance, rather than “Coffee-mate container” search instead for “plastic beverage bottle.” Instead of “cottage cheese container” search instead for “plastic tub.”

Cartoon of man above the 4 carts offered by MVRS for residential customers: 2 for Recycling, Compost, & Garbage

What Can and Can’t Go In The Garbage Cart

Garbage Contamination Policy

When the wrong items are placed in garbage, it can be harmful to the environment and those processing garbage at the landfill. California’s SB 1383 Organics Law requires all generators of waste (businesses, public entities, and single/multifamily residents) to properly sort their waste. 

Common Garbage Contaminants

  • Food Waste (should go in your Compost Cart)
  • Yard Waste (should go in your Compost Cart)
  • Bottles and Cans (should go in your Recycling Cart)
  • E-Waste (see Hazardous Waste)
  • Paper and Cardboard (should go in your Recycling Cart)
  • Batteries/Paint etc. (see Hazardous Waste)

How We Address Contamination

Garbage Carts will not be dumped if heavily contaminated.

Instead, our driver will leave a Violation Notice (click on image at right to see a bigger version) on the cart handle describing the contaminant observed in the cart, and providing an opportunity to clean out the cart for pick up the following week. Or you may opt to request a special pickup (for a fee) after cleaning the cart.

When a cart is tagged, a sticker that describes a number of the most common contaminants will be placed on the cart lid as a permanent reminder of what should NOT be put in the cart.

If you receive a Violation Notice and want to schedule a special pickup, call our office at (415) 457-9760.

Curbside Cleanup

Do your spring cleaning any time of year! As a residential customer of ours, you are entitled to a limited number of free curbside cleanups with your regular trash service. Learn more about scheduling a Free Curbside Cleanup.

Missed Collection

We make every effort to provide the best service possible. If your carts are skipped on your regular service day, please call our office (open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m.), or leave a message after hours on our 24-hour voice-mail system at (415) 457-9760. We will pick up your cart or return your call the following morning.

Extra Garbage

If you have any extra garbage that does not fit inside your regular cart(s), please call our office at (415) 457-9760 at least a day before your pickup and speak with a representative to place an order for the extra pickup. Additional fees apply.

Stop, Start or Hold Service

Call our office at (415) 457-9760 to start, stop or inquire about vacation hold options to temporarily stop service.

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