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Sonoma County Waste Management Agency

What Would You Like to Recycle?


How to Visit


Cover your load. It’s the law. Tips for securing your load:

  • Use tarps, bungee cords, netting, straps or rope.
  • Put lighter weight items at the bottom of the load.
  • Tie larger items directly to your vehicle.
  • Don’t overload your vehicle.

California State Vehicle Code, Section 23115(a), requires loads to be properly covered.

Sonoma County Code (Section 22-6) requires that all loads be covered when transporting refuse in vehicles on public roadways.

Download a .pdf fact sheet about Securing Your Load. (PDF: 2.57 MB)

Load smart, save money. When visiting Refuse Disposal Sites, save money and reduce waste by loading your truck to maximize reuse and recycling.

  1. Pack your vehicle with garbage first, then reusable and recyclable items towards the back of your vehicle. You'll be unloading your reusable and recyclable items first, then garbage.
  2. Cover your load. It’s the law! Local and state laws require garbage being transported in a vehicle to be covered to prevent spilling onto roadways.

    An additional $10 fee will be added to each load brought to County Refuse Disposal Sites that is not covered or tarped. State law and the Sonoma County Code (Section 22-6) requires that all loads be covered when transporting refuse in vehicles on public roadways.

    Download a .pdf fact sheet about Securing Your Load. (PDF: 2.57 MB)
    wrong and right way to secure your load
  3. Free drop-off of recyclables at all Refuse Disposal Sites. Friendly disposal site will staff help you sort your load.
  4. Drop-off reusable items at Refuse Disposal Sites. Central Disposal Site, Healdsburg Transfer Station and Sonoma Transfer Station feature reuse areas where you drop-off at no cost building materials (doors, windows, hardware, furniture, etc.), in addition to items typically accepted at thrift stores.
  5. Pay disposal fees. Notify the cashier if your load contains anything more than household garbage. For example, yard debris, metal, wood, tires or appliances. Recycling must be segregated from garbage.
  6. Dispose of what’s left. Only items that cannot be reused, recycled or composted should be landfilled.

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