Q. What is the On-Call Bulky Goods Collection program?
A. The On-Call Bulky Goods Collection program is a special garbage collection service offered to residents of single-family, duplex, triplex and mobile homes. It provides the convenience of residents calling to schedule an extra pick-up as needed.
The service began on July 1, 2008, extends year 'round and replaces the spring and fall collection service formerly offered twice a year. Now residents may schedule two, no charge, pick ups of non-hazardous material each year, at their convenience on normal service days. For set-out guidelines, see extra pick ups.
A new feature of the on-call collection is the addition of electronic products. Items such as televisions and computer monitors are included, with a limit of 4 per pickup.
At each appointment, residents may set out up to two cubic yards of extra trash--equivalent to a space six feet long, three feet high and three feet wide--plus two bulky items, such as appliances or furniture.
Q. Where do I call to schedule an on-call collection?
A. To schedule a pick up, call Utility Customer Service at (408) 730-7400, TDD (408) 730-7501. Please let them know if you will be setting out for collection any TVs, computer monitors or bulky items, such as appliances or furniture.
Q. Will the extra dumping weekends still be available to residents at the SMaRT Station® in the spring and fall?
A. Yes, residents may still bring items to the SMaRT Station at no additional charge on two designated weekends each spring and fall, as indicated on the 2008 Calendar.
Q. What should I do if I have extra trash, but not enough to use one of my on-call pick ups?
A. Events such as birthday parties, having some friends over for the game, or just cleaning up around the house can generate extra garbage that may not fit in your cart. Planning prior to these events can help reduce the amount of garbage you generate. Go to www.sunnyvalerecycles.org/How do I Recycle...? for tips on how to reduce waste.
However, on occasions when you have extra garbage that doesn't fit in your cart and can't be recycled, extra garbage tags will be available for $6 each at local grocery stores and two City facilities (locations to be announced in September). Put extra garbage in a plastic bag and place it next to your garbage cart at the curb on your regular collection day. Peel off the backing from the extra garbage tag and stick the tag to the outside of the bag, facing the street. The bag may not weigh more than 30 pounds and may not exceed 35 gallons in capactity.
Q. How do I order a new cart?
A. To make the change as convenient as possible for you, customers who currently have Unlimited service will automatically receive a 65-gallon cart, and customers currently subscribing to Baseline service will receive a 35-gallon cart. If this default cart size meets your needs, you don't need to contact the City.
However, if you would like to order a cart size other than the default for your current service level, watch for the cart size selection information that will be mailed to all residential customers in early August. As soon as you receive the ordering information, you may choose your cart size by returning a mail-back postcard or making an online selection (available soon) by August 18.
Q. How do I know what cart size to order?
A. Base your decision on the size of your current garbage container. If you are currently a Baseline customer, your existing can should be 32 gallons in size. Current Unlimited customers have carts that hold either 64 or 96 gallons. Look on your cart--the size is displayed on the cart lid close to the handle. When calculating the size of your new cart, adjust upward if you regularly set out extra garbage containers and adjust downward if you will be increasing the amount of yard trimmings, glass, metal and plastic containers, and paper you recycle. Keep in mind that, at the same time the new carts are delivered, the curbside recycling program is being expanded to allow mixed paper to be placed into the "newspaper side" of the split cart.
Q. What are the garbage service rates for each cart?
A. The monthly single family rates are:
- $25.31 for 35 gallons
- $30.90 for 65 gallons
- $36.50 for 95 gallons
Q. When will I get my new cart?
A. The new carts will be delivered in early September, continuing through October. If you currently use a wheeled garbage cart provided by Specialty, it will be removed the same day your new cart is delivered, but by a different truck and driver. So please leave the old cart out all day on each of your service days during the September-October delivery window until it is removed.
Q. Can I use my old wheeled cart?
A. No, the majority of the old wheeled carts have been in service for over 14 years and are well beyond the end of their 10-year useful lives. It is time for them to be removed and replaced. However, the old carts will be recycled and turned back into new carts, so it is not the end of the road for the old cart.
Q. Can I still use my old 32-gallon can for garbage?
A. No, you will no longer be able to use your old can for garbage collection, but there are two other options for use:
- If you have extra yard trimmings that don't fit in your green yard trimmings cart, you may place the extra material in your old can and place it curbside on your regular collection day (Specialty has special "Yard Trimmings" stickers, available on request, to indicate that the extra can contains yard trimmings. Call (408) 565-9900 to request a sticker).
- If you have scheduled an on-call collection, you may use your old can for extra garbage so long as its weight does not exceed 70 pounds.
Q. If I want to get rid of my 32-gallon can, what do I do?
A. If you don't want to keep your old 32-gallon can, you may put it next to your new garbage cart in the street on your regular collection day with a "Take Can" note attached.