New year, new ways to dispose of trash – well, for many Nevada County residents. The company formerly known as Waste Management, now WM, is rolling out the new system starting next week. But who, what, why, how, when? What about rates? What if one has questions?
Who
Grass Valley residents by now are in possession of three garbage cans. Starting next week, household trash and food waste will have to be separate, but with equal pickup frequencies.
If you have curbside service in the unincorporated area of Nevada County, you are included in the mandatory program. Three cans, with weekly pickup for household and green/food waste cans.
If you have the pleasure of hauling your garbage cans to a community stop, you are “opted out” of the green waste/food waste collection service due to spacing issues. However, you are not “opted out” of separating out the food waste.
If you live within Nevada City’s city limits, aka have a three-digit street address, you can stop reading now. Nevada City is exempt from the coming triple-can upgrade for now due to the low population in the local jurisdiction.
January 3, 2025 at 9:58 AM Nevada City has updated their page about household waste collection with the exemption information.
January 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM Nevada City residents: You cannot participate in the food waste recycling even if you have a green waste bin already. “The City of Nevada City’s waste management (garbage, recycle and green waste) remain the same. City of Nevada City residents (who have three digit addresses) still have clean, green cans. We are not part of the mixed organics program that Waste Management operates. Our green waste cans collection is a separate route, and the green waste is not co-mingled with food waste,” according to Assistant City Manager Lon Peterson.
January 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM Other areas exempt from the new food waste regulations: Portions of Nevada County already qualify for the low population waiver; Washington, Smartville, and City of Nevada City. Low population is less than 75 people per square mile. Town of Truckee qualifies for the high elevation waiver which is 4500ft and over. The areas in orange are the low population areas and yellow is the high elevation waiver. [source: Nevada County CDA]
What
The green cart is now for food and yard waste combined. Importantly, do not pack your food waste into plastic or trash bags. Paper bags are a good alternative. Other options include freezing food waste and mixing it with green waste.
January 9, 2025 at 2:53 PM Update: Here is the WM-approved “What Goes Where” sorting menu.
Why
In 2016, SB 1383 passed the California legislature and was signed into law by then-Governor Brown. 126 jurisdictions, including Nevada County, gained more time to reach compliance with all SB 1383 rules by using the SB 619 process passed by the Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. Since 2022, 93% of jurisdictions with requirements for collection reported having residential organics collection. But now, the deadline is here.
How
Household trash and green/food waste will be picked up every week. Community stops will have weekly household trash pickup only, except if you already have green waste service. If you’re composting already, problem solved. If not, you’ll have to haul the food waste to an approved facility such as the transfer station and pay .
When
Next Tuesday, the McCourtney Road Transfer Station remodel will be complete. WM has delivered the majority of the new green/food waste bins and they’re starting the new schedule next week (Jan 6, 2025.)
New rates
Rates are going up with the increased pickup frequencies. The county has published the rates, which includes a senior or low income discount rate available for WM customers aged 62 and over. Note the discount is only available for 35-gallon carts.
To apply for the senior discount:
To apply for the low income discount:
Who you gonna call?
WM has set up a local phone number 530-615-2020 and an email address nevadacountyorganics@wm.com for questions about the food waste collection and the impending changes.
More info
- WM Nevada County service page
- Nevada County resource page on Food Waste Collection
- Video: Food Waste Collection – what is changing in Nevada County
If all else fails, we’ll collect questions and try to get the answers you need.