Frequently Asked Questions

Residential Services

Quicklinks

Search

If you're a residential customer, you'll find answers to commonly asked questions here

  1. I need an extra pick up. What do I do?

  1. Call us at 736-3600!

  1. What about junk and bulky items?

  1. We offer junk and bulk removal service with our Re-Moving Van. The service is available to non-customers. For more information, click on the Junk/Bulk tab at the top of the page.

  1. Why didn't my cart get emptied?

  1. If your trash, recycling or yard debris carts are still sitting full at the curb at the end of the day, it could be due to one of several common reasons:

    * Did you have your carts out by 7 a.m. on your pick-up day?
    * Remember that recycling and yard debris collection alternate on an every-other-week schedule. Was this the right week? Check the schedule by clicking on Residential Services at the top of this page.
    * Was your cart blocked by cars or other obstacles?
    * Was your cart overflowing or too heavy?
    * Was this a holiday week?
    Please call our office at 736-3600 to inquire about any problems you may be having.

  1. What are the weight limits for my cart?

  1. 32-gallon can - 60 lbs
    Green Sanipac 32-gallon cart - 100 lbs
    Green Sanipac 60- or 90-gallon cart - 200 lbs
    Gray Sanipac yard debris cart - 120 lbs
    Blue Sanipac recycling cart - 200 lbs

  1. What happens on a holiday week?

  1. If the holiday falls on or before your regular day, your service will be one day later than usual for that week only. Sanipac is only closed for these holidays:

    * New Year's Day
    * Memorial Day
    * Independence Day
    * Labor Day
    * Thanksgiving Day
    * Christmas Day

  1. How do I prepare and sort my recycling?

  1. Place clean glass jars and bottles in the small blue box.

    Any motor oil should be placed next to the blue box in a non-glass container with a screw-on lid (a plastic milk jug is ideal). Clearly label the jug "Used Motor Oil." Limit: 1 gallon per pick up.

    Place these items in the large blue cart:

    o Tin/Aluminum cans - Clean; no need to flatten
    o Paper - Including newspapers, magazines, catalogs, paper sacks, phone books, etc.
    o Plastic - Jugs, tubs, bottles; no lids. No plastic bags; these should be returned to the grocery store.
    o Paper milk cartons
    o Cardboard and flattened paper boxes

  1. How does the yard debris program work?

  1. Yard debris service is automatically available in Eugene and available by choice in Springfield (see News for details about Springfield's program). We empty the 60-gallon gray carts on the weeks opposite your recycling week (see the schedule by clicking on the "Residential" tab at the top of this page). Almost any plant material is acceptable: if it grows above the ground, it can be included. Exceptions to this rule are large stumps, branches over 4" in diameter and flocked trees. Place material directly into the cart. Do not use paper or plastic bags because they will contaminate the compost that will be made from the yard debris. Please, no dirt or rocks.

  1. What can't I put in my trash?

  1. Some materials are absolutely prohibited wastes at the Lane County landfill. That means you cannot put them in your trash. Some examples are: appliances, tires, sealed drums, fluorescent tubes, wire fencing, liquid paint, metal auto parts, auto batteries, pesticides, solvents, motor oil and antifreeze. Check "Other Recycling Options" in FYI for suggestions on disposal of some of these items. Other materials, called special wastes, are accepted, but only with a permit or prior approval obtained from Lane County Waste Management at 682-3111. Some examples of special wastes are: asbestos, batteries, dried paint, empty drums with no lids, petroleum-contaminated soil, Penta and creosote-treated wood. Again, check "Other Recycling Options" in FYI for suggestions on disposal of some of these items.

  1. What is considered a hazardous waste?

  1. Hazardous wastes contaminate the local landfill and our environment if they are thrown into the trash. A product is considered hazardous if the label mentions "danger," "warning," "caution," "caustic," "acid," "flammable," or "poison." Lane County can advise you on the proper handling of these materials.
    Call 682-3111.

  1. How do I dispose of bio-medical wastes?

  1. State regulations require special handling and disposal of all infectious waste. Examples include hypodermic needles, blood-saturated bandages, IV tubing, cultures and pathological materials. These wastes are regulated, whether they come from medical facilities or from private homes. Sanipac provides specialized containers, collection and incineration disposal services for this category of wastes.

  1. What should I do if I have questions about special wastes, bio-medical waste or unusual recycling items?

  1. If you have questions about special wastes, bio-medical waste or unusual recycling items please contact our office at 736-3600 or check these links:
    Lane County Solid Waste Department - http://www.co.lane.or.us/PW_WMD_Special/default.htm
    Bring Recycling: - www.bringrecycling.org
    City of Eugene: - www.eugenerecycles.org

^ Top