Multi-Family Setout Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Multi-Family Setout Tips and FAQs

Click the question or statement to reveal helpful answers and suggestions.

What can I do to make sure my containers are serviced each week? Is there a specific way I should set my carts out?

Our Multi-Family Residential Guide lists a number of setout tips.

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How can I help keep shredded paper, packing peanuts and other items from littering the street after collection?

Here are some tips to keep those loose ends from escaping.

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Put your papers inside a paper bag or box and seal with a staple or piece of tape before placing in the paper/fibers side of your blue split recyclables cart.

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Bag all Styrofoam packing peanuts before putting in the garbage.

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Place breakable items in the middle or bottom of the appropriate cart.

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Is there a charge to have a cart exchange?

Every 12 months, we will do one exchange for no charge.

My 96-gallon recycling cart doesn’t fit in the space I have to store it. Is a smaller one available?

The 64-gallon recycling cart has a similar footprint to the 96-gallon cart. Consider creating a larger storage space.

What are the available garbage/food scrap split cart sizes?

Click here for garbage cart sizes/dimensions.

I recently replaced my fridge (or water heater, or my sofa, or my bed, or my…). What do I do with the old one?

You have several options. Assuming the unwanted item is still in reasonable shape, you can do the following:

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List is for free on freecycle.org
Sell it on Craiglist.org or a similar site
Donate it to a local charity

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If you need it taken away, schedule an On-Call Clean Up.

I have questions regarding my last invoice. Is there someone who can help me?

Absolutely, Please contact us at your convenience. We want you to understand how our invoicing works; and we want to correct any mistakes as quickly as possible.

I’m doing some work on my house and have more garbage than usual. How do I get rid of it?

Look into scheduling an On-Call Clean Up or ordering a special bin or debris box. Whether you’re cleaning out your garage, re-landscaping your yard, remodeling your kitchen, or deep cleaning, we have just the right size bin to suit your needs. Contact us or check out the service menu for complete information.

I’m sick of all this junk mail! Is there a way to make it stop?

Visit www.stopjunkmail.org. To cut back on unsolicited catalogs, visit www.catalogchoice.org.

I’m about to move/just finished moving. Where can I get/get rid of boxes?

Post reusable boxes on www.freecycle.org and/or try your local U-Haul moving center.

For the Move In Guide, click here.
For the Move Out Guide, click here.

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I cleaned out my closet and found lots of good stuff I no longer wear. What should I do with it?

Reuse, Recycle or Donate First before throwing items away, consider reusing, donating or recycling items first. Here are some places to start:

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City of Milpitas Reuse Line – 408-586-2680
‍Goodwill Industries‍
‍Salvation Army‍
‍Santa Clara County’s Center for Development of Recycling
‍‍Freecycle.org

I’m moving and have an entire pantry full of food I can’t use. I’d hate for it to go to waste- any suggestions?

Good for you. There’s too much need to throw away food. Visit the Second Harvest Food Bank to pass on your bounty. www.shfb.org or the Milpitas Food Pantry: www.milpitasfoodpantry.org

I’m looking for basic waste reduction and recycling information. Any good sites to visit?

Sure! Try: Santa Clara County’s Center for Development of Recycling – www.recyclestuff.org or 800-533-8414

What should I do with my growing pile of empty bottles that have California Redemption Value (CRV)?

They can be placed in the Glass/Metal/Plastic side of your blue split recyclables cart (along with other recyclable containers) for convenient curbside collection; Milpitas Sanitation will make sure they’re recycled. Or, you can take them to a buy-back center where your deposit will be returned to you. For a list of locations and more information contact the California State Department of Conservation, call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com.

I’m interested in teaching my child more about the environment. Any suggestions?

Review our Resource List for Teachers.

I would like to have a Handy Kitchen Pail/Food Scrap Collection at my Multi-Family complex. How do I get started?

Have the owner/manager contact us to start Food Scraps service. Only complexes with food scrap collection service can have have food scrap pails provided to its residents.

Are you still uncertain about sizing, pricing, or other details? Contact one of our professionals to get more information regarding which option is the best for you.

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