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Alameda County Industries City of San Leandro
Commercial Bin and Cart Service Guidelines
- Make sure container is accessible by 5am on scheduled service day. Additional charges apply if ACI is unable to access container and a return trip is requested.
- Do not block container with parked vehicle(s) or other obstacles.
- Provide gate key or code if container is located behind locked gate.
- If for any reason the garbage, recycling or organics container is not picked up on the regularly scheduled day, please call our office no later than 7:00am the next business day so we can return to service the container.
- Put materials in the appropriate container for collection. ACI will not pick up loose or misplaced materials.
- DO NOT DISPOSE OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN CONTAINER.
- Do not place mattresses or box springs in containers.
- Do not place wooden pallets in containers.
- Do not place more than 400 pounds in one-yard containers.
- Level off the materials inside containers to assure service.
- Service cancellations or modifications must be made in writing either by mail, fax, email or in person. Verbal cancellations will not be accepted. Cancellations will not be made retroactively. It is the customer’s responsibility to end services with Alameda County Industries and all services are due and payable until proper paperwork is submitted.
Commercial Service Guide
What Belongs in the Recyclables?
Avoid contamination – Keep the stream clean and dry!
Empty, scrape, wipe or rinse items before placing them in the Recyclables container.
Paper Products
Any recyclable paper that tears, including:
- magazines, newspapers, and junk mail.
- aseptic boxes (juice, soup, broth, & milk alternative)
- corrugated cardboard – flatten and fit pieces loosely to ensure the container will empty properly during service.
- shredded paper (contained in a paper bag or box – but we prefer you put it in the green organics bin)
Glass Bottles & Jars
- please remove lids & caps & recycle
Aluminum & Metal
- food & beverage cans
- aerosol cans (empty)
- paint cans (empty & dry only)
- pots & pans
- scrap pieces, up to 30 lbs. per item.
Plastic Containers
- bottles & jars
- tubs & trays
No Film Plastic or Plastic Bags
No Garbage
No Organics, Food, or Food-Soiled Paper
No Personal Hygiene Products or Diapers
No Pressurized Tanks
No Rock, Brick, Dirt, or Concrete
No Styrofoam®
What Belongs in the Organics?
Avoid contamination – No glass, metal, Styrofoam®, or plastic.
Food Scraps
- fruits & vegetables (including peels, pits, & rinds)
- bread, pasta, & other grains
- dairy products
- eggshells
- coffee grounds & tea leaves
- meat & bones
Food-Soiled Paper
- plates & cups
- napkins & towels
- coffee filters & tea bags
- bags (used to contain/wrap food scraps)
- paper takeout containers
- newspaper (used to wrap food scraps or line cart)
- pizza boxes
- shredded paper (use it to soak up liquids and help with odors)
- wax paper & wax-coated boxes
- wooden chopsticks
Yard Trimmings
- flowers
- grass clippings
- leaves
- small branches less than 6” in diameter
- weeds
No Glass, Metal, Styrofoam ®, or Plastic
No Aseptic Boxes (Juice, Soup, Broth & Milk Alternative)
No Dirt, Rock, Concrete, Brick, or Treated Wood
No Liquid Fat, Oil, or Grease
No Pet Litter or Feces
No Palm Fronds
What Belongs in the Garbage?
Non-Recyclable Glass
- ceramics & drinking glasses
- lightbulbs (no fluorescent)
- mirrors & window glass
Non-Recyclable Paper
- carbon paper
- laminated items
- metallic wrapping paper
- paper used for cleaning (soiled)
- photographs
- vacuum bags
Non-Recyclable Plastics
- 6-pack rings (please cut)
- plastic bags, film, & wrap
- plastic plates & utensils
- plastic straws & stir sticks
- records, tapes, & CDs
- tape (duct, packaging, masking)
Textiles
- cotton balls (soiled)
- rugs & mats
- shoes, clothing, & stuffed animals (that cannot be donated)
- sponges
Other
- balloons (latex & Mylar)
- clothes hangers
- diapers
- personal hygiene products
- foam & Styrofoam®
- hose (garden or rubber)
- pet feces & litter (bagged)
- plastic bags
- rubber bands
- toothpaste tubes
- toys (try donating first)
- wood (painted or stained)
PLEASE NOTE: Pressure-treated lumber and other treated wood waste (referred to as TWW, ex., from fencing or decking) are not accepted in the ACI collection program. These materials have been considered hazardous waste in California since 2021. For information about where to transport treated wood waste, please reference the Department of Toxic Substances Control Requirements for Generators of Treated Wood Waste (TWW) Fact Sheet.
No Organics or Recyclable Materials
No Dirt, Brick, or Concrete
No Hot Ashes
No Pressurized Tanks
No Paint, Batteries, Fluorescent Bulbs, Poison, or other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
PUT HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
Household hazardous waste (HHW), radioactive materials, poison or toxic materials are not accepted in any Alameda County Industries collection carts or bins. For more information on disposal locations, please call the Alameda County Household Waste team at 1-800-606-6606. Click here for Small Business Hazardous Waste Disposal Services.
Reducing Waste is the Law
Small steps add up to BIG changes in reducing waste. Together, we can all make a difference. Here are the current California State laws that reduce waste.
SENATE BILL 1383 (SB 1383)
Aims to keep food and other compostable materials (“organics”) out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.
How do I comply? You must have ORGANICS collection service and put all food, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings in the green bin. Visit StopWaste.org/Rules* for more info.
ASSEMBLY BILL 827 (AB 827)
Requires businesses to provide RECYCLABLES and ORGANICS collection containers to collect these materials generated from products purchased on the premises.
How do I comply? Provide RECYCLABLES and ORGANICS waste containers that are easily accessible, visible, and clearly labeled for customers to sort their waste. Visit our list of resources for more info.
ASSEMBLY BILL 1276 (AB 1276)
Prohibits food facilities and third-party food platforms from providing any single-use food ware items or standard condiments to customers, unless requested.
How do I comply? Inform staff that single-use items must be requested, not provided by default. Post signage to let consumers know they can ask for what they need. Eliminate bundled single-use items. Update online ordering menus to allow consumers to request each available accessory or condiment or opt out of them altogether. Visit Stopwaste.org/resource/stopwaste-ab-1276-fact-sheet for links to more info.
*Español, 中文, Çѱ¹ÀÎ, & Tiếng Việt
StopWaste.org/rules-languages
ACI can help you with compliance!
Contact ACI for help starting or improving your Recyclables and Organics collection program and compliance with State Laws.
- ACI provides up to 96 gallons of RECYCLABLES and 96 gallons of ORGANICS service per week at no extra charge to qualifying business customers. Call us today to determine your eligibility and get your carts delivered.
- ACI’s Sustainability Specialists will visit to survey your waste and recycling needs, answer any questions, and can provide posters and other resources to assist with proper sorting of your waste.
- ACI offers a variety of other recycling services. We have collection programs for construction, demolition debris, and more.
- ACI offers wheeled carts, bins (1-7 cubic yards), and debris boxes (10-40 cubic yards). We may also 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.
- ACI’s current garbage, recycling, and organics collection rates here.
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Click here for a PDF file of this page in English.