Fee Encourages Residents to Keep Contamination Out of Waste Carts

City of San Marcos solid waste customers who don’t sort trash correctly could end up with a bill for $35.

Texas Disposal Systems (TDS), the City’s solid waste contractor, is encouraging residents to make sure they only put designated items in the new green waste carts and in the recycling carts by imposing a $35 fee to switch out contaminated carts. Citizens will be given a grace period until Nov. 30.

·      The first time a customer puts unacceptable items in the green waste or recycling cart the cart will not be picked up.

·      The customer can bag the trash from the green waste or recycling cart (up to two 30-gallon black trash bags) and put the bags out on the next regularly scheduled trash service day.  Material must be put into paper bags.

·      If there is residue in the green waste or recycling carts, they must be rinsed out before they can be used again.

·      Residents who prefer not to clean up their own carts will be charged a $35 fee for a new cart. The money will be collected before a new cart is issued.

“Due to the amount of flood debris and the extent of the cleanup needed on Barbara, Conway, River Road, Riverside and Riviera residents in those areas will be exempt from the contamination regulations until November 24,” said City of San Marcos Solid Waste Coordinator Amy Kirwin.

After Nov. 24, bagged garbage outside of the appropriate cart will not be collected anywhere in the City.

Debris pickup ends Sunday, Nov. 22.  The City reminds residents to have flood debris sorted and placed at the curb by Sunday.

For information on sorting recycling please visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/recylce. For information on green waste carts please visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/greenwaste or www.sanmarcostx.gov/greenwasteFAQ.