Big Changes Coming to Sacramento Waste Pick Up

Service Change Overview

Cleaner Streets Program Goals

  1. Provide sufficient yard waste collection services for all city neighborhoods throughout the year
  2. Stabilize residential customer rates at current levels for a minimum of three years
  3. Reduce carbon emissions, fuel consumption, pavement impacts and mileage driven on city streets by collection vehicles
  4. Provide uniform and easily understandable programs
  5. Comply with state waste diversion mandates and all applicable health and safety requirements
  6. Provide a safer, cleaner community for all that live here.
Current Services Proposed Services
Garbage Weekly Weekly
Recyclables Weekly Bi-Weekly
Containerized yard waste collection Weekly on subscription basis 93%
(of customers)
Weekly Citywide 100%
(of customers)
Loose-in-the-street yard waste collection Periodic on subscription basis 7% (of customers) Citywide
Nov, Dec & Jan
Neighborhood Cleanup Program Suspended Feb thru Oct
Appointment based

 

Rates Will Stabilize at Current Levels

To maintain the current level of services, which substantially exceed those in other parts of the region, rates would have to be increased to comply with state mandates. The recommended changes will stabilize rates for three years.

 

Service Change Benefits

  • Better meets the needs of most customers
  • Greatly improves appearance and safety of neighborhoods and streets
  • Reduces customer confusion about programs and city collections
  • Provides substantial benefits for air quality, water quality and noise pollution

 

What Happens Next?

Share your input. Go to the Get Involved page to leave a comment, ask a question or take the survey. Ending loose-in-the-street pickup will require repealing Measure A, the 1977 voter-approved initiative that prevents the city from requiring residents to use containers. In June, the City Council will vote to determine if a repeal of Measure A will be added to the November 6 ballot.

THE PROPOSED CLEANER STREETS PROGRAM HAS THREE COMPONENTS:

Residential Yard Waste:

Sacramento is one of only three cities in California to provide year-round loose-in-the-street pickup, allowing customers to place yard waste in the street, rather than traditional containers.

The proposed program changes loose-in-the-street pickup by:

  • Mandating yard waste containers for all residents, changing the service for about 7% of current customers.
  • Providing regular loose-in-the-street pickup for all customers from November through January, in addition to the weekly containerized yard waste pickup.

The change to citywide containerized yard waste will greatly minimize unsightly and unsafe piles of yard waste and leaves in the street. These piles can be hazardous to bikers and walkers. By eliminating these piles nine months of the year, our streets and neighborhoods will be cleaner and more attractive. Additionally, drains will be clear from debris, minimizing the localized flooding that often occurs during the rainy season. These changes clarify the loose-in-the-street program and reduce confusion. Even with the changes, city residents will continue to have the highest level of yard waste service in the Sacramento region.

This change involves repealing Measure A, the 1977 voter-approved initiative that prevents the city from requiring residents to use containers. In June, the City Council will vote to determine if a repeal of Measure A will be added to the November 6 ballot.

Residential Recycling:

Recycling will change from weekly to bi-weekly pickup following the program used by cities in Sacramento County. This change saves significant money and has a positive impact on the environment. Each year, this change:

  • Saves about $1 million.
  • Saves 83,000 gallons of fuel.
  • Reduces 87,000 miles of vehicle travel.
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 186 tons.

Neighborhood Cleanup:

The city will offer annual, by-appointment pickup of household bulk items like excessive yard waste, old furniture and appliances (five cubic yards total). The first appliance is complimentary, additional appliance pick up will involve a slight fee. The program will run from February through October.

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