Commercial – Garbage

Effective January 1, 2022, a new California law (SB 1383) requires that compostable materials, be kept out of landfills including food scraps, food-soiled paper products, paper towels, and plant debris to prevent the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In Alameda County, the law is implemented under the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance.
 
Businesses, institutions, nonprofits, and multi-family properties must subscribe to compost and recycling collection service, set up color-coded and labeled indoor bins, ensure proper sorting, and educate employees, contractors and tenants about the law at least annually. Certain food generating businesses must also donate surplus edible food to food recovery (rescue) organizations or services instead of composting it.

Commercial customers can choose from a variety of garbage collection services designed to meet your specific needs. Call PGS Customer Service at 925-846-2042 for more information.

The following services are available to PGS's commercial customers:

  • Bins range in size from 1 to 7 cubic yards. Click here for bin dimensions. Standard collection service is offered Monday through Friday.
  • Garbage carts (plastic rolling carts) are available for customers that generate sufficiently small quantities of trash. Click here for cart dimensions. Garbage cart service is provided once per week.
  • Compactor service is also available (sizes 2-40 cubic yards)
  • Lock & Key Service, to reduce problems with illegal dumping and vandalism, is available for an additional fee.
  • Extra pickups are available for a fee. Please call before 3:30pm to arrange a pickup for the next available business day. No same day pickups.

9.20.020 General provisions.
Each and every “residential unit,” “commercial unit” and “industrial unit,” as defined in Section 9.20.010 of this chapter, shall have solid waste, recyclables and organic waste service by the collector with a collection contract entered into pursuant to Section 9.20.100 of this chapter. To provide such service, the city may grant a franchise for the exclusive right to collect, transport, dispose of and recycle, as applicable, solid waste, recyclable materials and organic waste produced and accumulated within the limits of the city as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 2226 § 3, 2021; Prior code § 4-4.05)

Program Rules

No Overfilling of bins or carts. Lids must close completely. The driver will not empty overloaded bins or carts. If your garbage container is overflowing on a regular basis, please call PGS to increase service.

Lids must remain closed. City law requires that all garbage bin/cart lids must remain closed when not in use.

For more information on garbage collection, please download our How-to-Guide.

Accepted materials

  • Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and other flimsy plastics
  • Cartons
  • Polystyrene
  • Pet waste and diapers
  • Plastic straws and cutlery
  • Broken glassware and ceramics
  • Plastic-lined paper products and aseptic packs

residential acceptable garbage example

Additional Resources

 

Warning!

It is illegal to dispose of hazardous materials in garbage or recycling containers (see below for prohibited items). Improperly disposing of hazardous and toxic waste can result in serious harm to the health of people, pets, wildlife, and our environment. Containers found to have these materials will not be collected until such materials are removed.

Alameda County offers special programs for businesses generating small quantities of hazardous and/or universal waste. Visit StopWaste.org for more information for more information about local disposal options.

You can also check the City of Pleasanton Household Hazardous Waste Programs for local disposal options.

 
It is illegal to dispose of hazardous materials in garbage or recycling containers