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
Make This Holiday Season Zero Waste!
The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and generosity, but it’s also one of the most wasteful times of the year. Between gift wrap, packaging, food waste, and decorations, household waste can increase by over 25% during the holidays. This December let’s embrace the spirit of giving and sustainability by celebrating a Zero Waste Holiday Season!
Thoughtful, Low-Waste Gifting
Give gifts that are meaningful and mindful. Choose experiences over items (like tickets, memberships, or homemade coupons), support local artisans and secondhand shops, or make DIY gifts like baked goods or upcycled crafts. Try to avoid over-packaging or single-use plastic items.
Wrap It Right
Did you know that most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable, especially if it’s glossy, glittery, or metallic? Go green by wrapping gifts in reusable fabric, newspaper, brown kraft paper, or even old maps or calendars. Tie it all together with natural twine or fabric ribbons that can be reused year after year.
Mindful Meals
Whether you’re hosting or attending a holiday meal, planning ahead can help reduce food waste. Share leftovers, compost food scraps, and avoid overbuying. If you’re gifting baked goods or food items, consider packaging them in glass jars, tins, or reusable containers.
Sustainable Decor
Decorate with nature and reuse! Pinecones, branches, citrus garlands, and dried flowers make beautiful, compostable decorations. Reuse lights and ornaments from previous years, and resist the urge to buy trendy, short-lived décor that may end up in the trash come January.
Give Back to the Planet
Make sustainability a family tradition. Volunteer, donate gently used items, or spend time outdoors enjoying nature. It’s a perfect season to reflect on how small actions can make a big impact — for our community and the planet.
A Zero Waste holiday doesn’t mean giving up what makes the season special, it means finding creative ways to celebrate with intention and care. Let’s spread joy without the extra waste. Learn more about local zero waste resources, composting, and sustainable gift ideas at: https://zerowastemarin.org/
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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.