Trash Collection and Recycling
Marin Sanitary Service
Marin Sanitary Service is the authorized collector for businesses, residences, and government agencies providing garbage service for those in the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District. Marin Sanitary Service also serves the City of San Rafael and where jurisdictions overlap with the District, or co-exist, the city has the authority and responsibilities for regulating solid waste, recyclable, and organic material.
- Contact Marin Sanitary Service directly for questions on garbage service for your home or business.
- https://marinsanitaryservice.com/ | (415) 456-2601
Ordinance 196 - Amending Chapter 1, Title 4
Effective January 1, 2025
Changes to rates and customer owned carts filled with compostable material.
Please see the attached Ordinance.
Ordinance 196 Executed.pdfUpdated District Code Title 4 Chapter 1
Short-lived Climate Pollutants Law (SB 1383)
Residents and businesses are required to follow statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery laws beginning January 1, 2022. For more information, please visit the Marin Sanitary Service web page at https://marinsanitaryservice.com/laws/
Commercial and Multi-Family Residential Dwellings may qualify for a waiver from the organic composting requirements of SB 1383. Click here to complete a fillable waiver form from Marin Sanitary Service.
Zero Waste Marin also has information on how businesses must comply with California’s Mandatory Commercial Recycling & Composting Laws, including:
- SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Food Donation
- AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling (MCR)
- AB 827 Mandatory Front of House Organics and Recycling Containers
- AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics (MORe)
Need to submit a complaint about an entity that is not compliant with SB 1383? Please click on the link below to fill out the form:
Zero Waste Marin Events
Celebrate a Zero Waste Halloween This October!
Halloween is a fun and festive time of year, but it often comes with a frightening amount of waste, from plastic-wrapped candy and store-bought costumes to disposable decorations and food waste. This October, we invite you to celebrate a Zero Waste Halloween by making simple, sustainable choices that are better for your household and the planet.
· Costume Smarts: Avoid fast fashion and save money by reusing or repurposing costumes. Host a costume swap with neighbors or friends or get creative with items you already own. Thrift stores can also be treasure troves for unique costume pieces!
· DIY Decorations: Instead of buying single-use plastic décor, try making your own from recycled materials or items found in nature. Think: cardboard tombstones, paper bats, or leaf garlands. Not only is it eco-friendly, it’s also a fun activity for kids and adults alike.
· Rethink the Treats: Candy often comes in layers of plastic packaging that can’t be recycled. Try to purchase treats in bulk or from local stores that allow you to bring your own containers. If you’re hosting a Halloween party, consider snacks with minimal packaging and serve them in reusable containers.
· Pumpkin Power: Each year, thousands of pumpkins end up in the landfill. Instead of tossing them, compost your carved or uncarved pumpkins! Just be sure to remove candles, paint, or any decorations. Uncarved pumpkins can also be cooked, roasted, or baked into delicious fall recipes.
· After the Party: When the night is over, reuse and recycle what you can, and properly dispose of any waste. Consider storing decorations and costumes for future use instead of tossing them.
With a little planning, your Halloween can be just as spooky, and a lot more sustainable. Together, we can keep the holiday fun while reducing our environmental footprint.
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Food Recovery Organizations (FROs) and Food Recovery Services (FRSs)
As of September 25, 2025, there are no FROs/FRSs available in the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District jurisdiction. LGVSD will update and create a list of FROs/FRSs in the event one becomes available in our jurisdiction in compliance with 14 CCR § 18985.2(a)(1).
Composting
Composting is one of the easiest ways to make a big impact on the environment and your garden! By composting your food scraps, yard trimmings, and soiled paper, you can help reduce landfill waste and methane emissions. At home, adding finished compost into your garden can improve soil health, increased water retention, and reduce the need for synthetic!
Here are some tips to get started with at-home composting:
1) Ensure you have compost service at your residence. All homes and apartment complexes are required to have compost service. If you do not, consider reaching out to your local waste hauler or apartment management team to get this service added to your residence.
2) Get a kitchen countertop container. Having a small green pail or container on the counter makes composting simple – just toss in food scraps while cooking. You can also keep a small container in the freezer to avoid any “ick factor”, and then empty directly into your curbside green bin.
3) Consider setting up a backyard composting system. If you have extra outdoor space, backyard composting is a rewarding way to produce your own compost at home. Explore the different methods, from low-maintenance compost bins to hands-on systems, to find the one that suits your needs. Learn more here: https://zerowastemarin.org/composting-in-marin/
Don’t Trash it, Marin! What to Do with Hazardous Items
Are cans of unused paint, household cleaners and old electronics taking up space in your garage? It’s good to clean out the clutter, but not everything can go in the curbside carts. Some materials, known as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), are toxic to you and/or to the environment and need to be dropped off at special facilities. HHW materials include Electronics, Paint, Batteries, Light Bulbs, Household Chemicals, Personal Care Products, Gardening Products and Auto Care Products.
- For details about HHW and how to get rid of it, visit ZeroWasteMarin.org/HHW
- Visit Zero Waste Marin for more information.