Solid Waste
Division of Public Works Department
2 South Green Street
Sonora, CA 95370
Mission
The mission of the Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division is to ensure that the County has cost effective solid waste disposal services which protect the public health and environment, meet state and federal mandates for integrated waste management, and comply with waste disposal regulations.
Who are we?
The Solid Waste Division oversees the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste within Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora. The division is also responsible for the development, implementation and promotion of recycling programs.
Contact Information:
Telephone: (209) 533-5588
Illegal Dumping: (209) 533-5577
Fax: (209) 533-5698
Email: solidwaste@tuolumnecounty.ca.gov
Gretchen Olsen, Solid Waste Manager
Belinda Barlow, Solid Waste Specialist
Diane Green, Solid Waste Technician
Daniel Hambrick, Solid Waste Compliance Officer
Recycling Program Changes
Moore Bros Franchise Area
Discussions are underway to improve the recycling program in the south county area. Information will be posted as it becomes available.
Burns Refuse Franchise Area
Discussions are underway to improve the recycling program in the Burns Refuse Franchise Area. Information will be posted as it becomes available.
Cal Sierra/Waste Management Franchise Area
Curbside recycling will be changing in Tuolumne County. Starting in the Cal Sierra /Waste Management Franchise Area, the Blue Bag program will be replaced with a wheeled cart service.
Many more recyclable materials will be accepted in the new cart program:
see the link at right WM Acceptable Materials
There are several steps to take in rolling out the new program:
A letter and postcard will be sent to customers in April:
see the links at right WM Welcome Letter
WM Postcard
The letter describes some program information and the postcard will help determine the number of carts that will be ordered. Customers can send in the postcard or call Waste Management to let them know what size cart will work best. New garbage carts and recycling carts are part of the new program.
Next, an information starter kit will be sent to customers. This kit will include a calendar that shows the recycling pickup schedule. Garbage will be picked up weekly, as it is now, and recycling will be picked up every other week.
The new carts will be delivered to customers in July and cart pickup will begin the first week of August.
Phasing out Blue Bags
When the Blue Bag program was first started, customers purchased their own bags from various retailers. When a grant became available, Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division began supplying Blue Bags throughout the County. This effort was funded by the Solid Waste Division budget and by the grant from the Department of Conservation. The grant was not funded this past year so the money available for Blue Bags was cut in half. The Solid Waste Division has spent its entire allotment for this fiscal year. Because the Blue Bags will be replaced by a new recycling program this summer and because the funding to purchase Blue Bags is exhausted, the county will no longer supply the bags to the various distribution points after the current supply runs out. So customers will need to supply their own bags until the Blue Bag program is replaced with new recycling service.
There are several places that sell blue bags locally:
- Andy's True Value
- Price Co Foods
- Savemart -Mono Way
- Savemart - Stockton Rd
- Tuolumne Market
- Willow Springs Market
HHW Event
2010 Household Hazardous Waste Events
Saturday, June 12, 2010 - Sonora
Saturday, August 21, 2010 - Groveland
Saturday, September 18, 2010 - Sonora
Sonora Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Events are by reservations only. Please make reservations at 1-800-811-2435.
Groveland Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Events reservations are not needed.
Small Business Hazardous Waste Drop-Off for Sonora and Groveland are by reservation only. Please contact the Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division at 209-533-5588 for further information.
This event is FREE to households of Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora.
What to Bring
*Gasoline *Thinners *Contaminated Oil *Art Supplies *Wood Preservatives *Photo Chemicals *Solvents *Polishes *Glues & Adhesives *Oil-based Paints *Engine/Brake Part Cleaners *Latex Paint *Waxes *Ammonia & Bleached-based Cleaners *Oven Cleaners *Fluorescent Tubes *Shoe Polish *Alkaline & Rechargeable Batteries *Aerosol Sprays *Nail Polish Remover * Pesticides * Pool Chemicals *Fungicides *Weed Killers *Small Compressed Gas Cylinders *Unwanted Medications (NO DEA regulated material or controlled substances) *Ink-Jet Cartridges (NO Laser Toners) *Cell Phones *Video Display Devices (Televisions, Computer Monitors, Laptops, LCD Displays) *Sharps (home - generated hypodermic needles, lancets, pen needles and intravenous needles MUST BE packaged in a container approved for sharps)
What NOT TO Bring
*Ammunition & Explosives *Biological Waste *Asbestos *Medical Waste *Radioactive Waste * Tires *Large Compressed Gas Cylinders *Non-Hazardous Waste *PCB Containing Waste
How to Pack & Transport Your Items Safely
1. Place loose items in a sturdy box.
2. Do not mix materials. Keep incompatible materials separate (i.e. bleach separate from ammonia).
3. Use containers that do not leak. Make sure lids are on tight and contents are labeled.
4. Pack containers in a sturdy box or tub with newspapers or other absorbent material.
5. Limit toxic items to 15 flowing liquid gallons or 125 pounds per trip. (Ca State Law). No container larger than 5 gallons.
6. Transport wastes in the trunk or rear of your vehicle.
7. You may make as many trips as needed without additional reservations.
For more information please contact Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division (209) 533-5588.
Business Waste
