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1. Who decided that the City should start a green waste program and how was the decision made?

The City created a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Comprehensive Plan from 2010-2012. The plan focused on how to manage the City's trash for the next 20 years. One of two big issues that came out of discussions around the plan was a way to divert yard waste from the landfill. The curbside green waste cart was the option the City chose to explore. The City conducted a green waste cart pilot program from November 2013 to January 2015. City Council approved the implementation of curbside green waste carts city-wide in January 2015. The MSW Comprehensive Plan was also adopted into the San Marcos Comprehensive Plan - Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us.

2. How much do the new carts cost residents?

The City’s garbage fee is a flat-rate fee for all solid waste and recycling programs, including the curbside cart service.

3. What can I put in the new carts?

All yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, weeds, branches up to 5” in diameter) and soiled paper products (to-go pizza boxes, cartons with gabled top, paper plates, paper towels, paper napkins, paper cups)

4. Isn’t it a compost cart? Why can’t I put food scraps in it?

It is not for compost. It is for green waste only. It can only be used for yard waste and soiled paper products. State regulations prohibit food scraps in carts that are not picked up weekly,

5. Can citizens opt out of the program? If so, will citizens get an adjustment on their bill?

If a resident doesn’t want the cart, it can be removed. The fee will not be adjusted. We have a flat-rate fee.

6. Why are the 96 gallon garbage carts being picked up and why are they being replaced with smaller ones?

The City created a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Comprehensive Plan to look at how to manage trash for the next 20 years. One of two big issues that came out of the plan was a Pay As You Throw program to encourage people to divert material from the landfill. The variable size cart (65-gal and 96-gal) was the option the City chose to explore. The City conducted a pilot program from November 2013 through January 2015. Council approved the implementation of the variable size carts city-wide in January 2015. The MSW Comprehensive Plan was also adopted into the San Marcos Comprehensive Plan: Vision San Marcos- A River Runs Through Us.

7. Can citizens keep the 96 gallon garbage carts? Is there a fee?

Yes, citizens can keep the 96-gal trash cart. It will be $3.00 more per month.

8. When will unwanted carts be picked up?

The City and TDS are working to get all the carts picked up and all other issues resolved by the end of November.

9. What happens if I use the carts for the wrong items?

The City and Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) have reassessed the City’s new green waste cart program and how the recent flooding has impacted this and all waste services. After further discussions, any green waste cart that is continually contaminated will be removed from the residence.

Items accepted in the green waste carts include yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, weeds, branches up to 5” in diameter) and soiled paper products (to-go pizza boxes, cartons with gabled top, paper plates, paper towels, paper napkins, paper cups). Any other items that are placed in the cart could contaminate the cart and the recycling process.

If there is contamination in the green waste cart, TDS will not empty the cart. The resident must remove all contamination. Residents can put up to 2 extra 30-gallon trash bags by their trash cart, on their next regularly scheduled trash service day for free until November 30th. Any extra trash bags set out by the trash cart after November 30th will be charged the contracted rate of $9.03 per bag. The original November 24 deadline for Barbara, Conway, River Rd, Riverside and Riviera has been removed due to service schedule.

Starting the week of November 30, City staff will be auditing green waste carts before they are emptied to check for contamination. If there is contamination, the cart will be moved off the curb and a letter stating why the cart was not emptied and a flyer with the correct placement of material will be taped to the green waste cart.