Setout Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

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

You will need to complete a service form (with credit application for new customers or without the credit application for existing customers) and contact us in order to start service. Service can start immediately.

We no longer need garbage service. How do we cancel?

Service is mandatory but if you're closing or moving, we're happy to stop service. Written notification is required. Please contact us for assistance. Or, contact us for further assistance.

If I'm already recycling and composting all I can, what can I do to keep my bill down?

Look into ways to reduce your waste. Invest in as many reusable products as make sense. For ideas, visit www.UseReusables.com, www.StopWaste.Org, and our Publications & Resources page. You can also contact us to arrange for a free waste assessment. We'll schedule a visit to your business and take a look at the waste generated. Our representative will try to find ways for you to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost everything possible.

We'd like to start a new waste prevention and/or recycling program but lack the funds for necessary equipment and training. What should we do?

Look into teaming up with the StopWaste Partnership. Chances are you can find what you need to go green.

Help! Not all of our garbage, recycling or organic material was picked up on our last service day.

If you need an extra pickup, would like to increase your service level, or need to report a missed pickup, please contact us immediately. If you were missed, we'll send a driver back around within one business day. To facilitate service, make sure your collection container(s) are not overloaded or blocked.

What goes in each of my collection containers?

Garbage goes in the gray, recyclables in the blue and organics (food/yard waste) in the green. Refer to our Publications & Resources page for details.

What should I do with unwanted medications, sharps (needles/lancets), leftover paint, old cleaning products, and other potentially hazardous items? What about old computer equipment and cell phones?

Hazardous items like these are not permitted in any of our collection containers. Businesses are required to arrange for proper collection and disposal of hazardous items including but not limited to the following:

Pesticides
Fertilizers
Pool chemicals
Photo chemicals
Paint/varnish
Toxic cleaning products
Mercury-containing items (thermometers & fluorescent lamps for example)
Medications
Sharps/needles
Cell phones
Batteries
Motor Oil

You may be eligible to take many hazardous items to Alameda County's local collection facility. Visit StopWaste.org to find out about the County's small business disposal services.
For free e-waste collection events and locations, visit StopWaste.org or go to the CalRecycle website and search their database.

My business has a one-time surplus of food. I'd hate for it to go to waste-- any suggestions?

Consider donating to the Alameda County Food Bank to pass on your bounty.

We've been going out of our way to do the right thing and would like people to know it. Is there a way for us to gain recognition as a "green" business?

Yes! Take a look at the Bay Area Green Business Program.

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

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

What size are the bins/dumpsters that ACI uses?

Sizes vary but all bins are approximately 81" long. Additional approximate measurements are as follows:

1-yard bins are 3'3" high and 2'11" wide
2-yard bins are 4' high and 3'3" wide
3-yard bins are 4'9" high and 3'9" wide
4-yard bins are 5' high and 5' wide
6-yard bins are 5'3" high and 5'7" wide
8-yard bins are 7'2" high and 6'1" wide

Debris boxes are all approximately 8' wide

10-yard boxes are 3' high and 14.5' long
15-yard boxes are 4.5' high and 12' long
22-yard boxes are 5' high and 14.5' long
30-yard boxes are 6' high and 18' long
40-yard boxes are 7.5' high and 22' long

Still need help?

Visit our Publications & Resources page or contact us.