STAY CLEAR OF CONTAMINATION SURCHARGES
CHARGES TO BEGIN OCTOBER 1, 2020
To avoid a $12.36 per cart, per incident surcharge for residential customers, and a $56.23 per cart, per incident surcharge for commercial customers (after one warning) keep your recycling and organics carts clear of contamination.
How to Avoid Contamination
Follow these simple guidelines to avoid contamination.
STAY CLEAR OF OVERAGES AND SURCHARGES
CHARGES TO BEGIN OCTOBER 1, 2020
To avoid a $12.36 per cart, per incident surcharge for residential customers, and a $168.67 per cart, per incident surcharge for commercial customers, keep lids closed on your carts when serviced.
Follow these simple guidelines to avoid contamination.
- Breakdown cardboard boxes
- Place recyclables loose in the cart - never bag
- Keep appliances and HHW out
- Increase cart size if recurring problem
If you regularly have excess materials, we’re here to help you put a lid on overages. Call Customer Service at 530-795-1201 to help you right-size your service.
TIPS FOR PROPER CART PLACEMENT
Place on the street in front of your house with wheels against the curb, away from any obstructions and neighbor's carts.
TOOLS AND EDUCATION
CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION
Visit wm.com/mypreferences to update your contact information.
- Program Introduction Letter
- Contamination and Overage Postcard
- Sample Contamination Warning Letter
- Sample Overage Warning Letter
- 2023-2024 Winters South Recycling Calendar
- 2023-2024 Winters North Recycling Calendar
- City of Winters Map
- City of Winters Residential Service Rates, 2023
- 2023 Vacation Hold and Start Stop Service Application
CUSTOMER EDUCATION
- Recycling and Organics Sorting Guide
- Winters Residential Service Brochure
- Winters Commercial Service Brochure
- Waste Management Recycle Right Website
- Winters Fall 2023 Bill Insert Newsletter
VIDEO RESOURCES
Don’t let your recyclables go to waste!
Recycle right to ensure everything you recycle gets a second life. See how:
Properly setting our your carts makes a difference.
Learn why setting your carts our correctly matters:
Check out more videos at https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right/recycling-resources
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS THIS THE FIRST TIME CAMERAS HAVE BEEN USED ON A WM COLLECTION TRUCK?
No, Waste Management has used cameras on trucks for almost 10 years. We use mounted cameras to improve safety by assisting our drivers with rear and side-view perspectives, and documenting driving incidents. Our drivers also have handheld cameras to document overages and contamination.
WHAT ABOUT PRIVACY?
WM will not share the images or customer information with third parties for marketing or data mining. The purpose of the photographs or videos is to educate and inform so that we can improve collection service, diversion and recycling. If there is a service issue, images are shared with the service address customer of record. Images may also be shared with the local jurisdiction to illustrate service issues or success stories in the community.
WHAT QUALITY CONTROL IS IN PLACE TO ENSURE ACCURACY?
Our service consultants are trained to carefully identify service issues, such as overage, contamination and damaged carts. We have standard protocols for assessing every situation with built-in checks and balances to ensure accuracy.
HOW IS A CUSTOMER NOTIFIED?
Residents receive one warning letter prior to being charged for each contamination and/or overage incident. In the future, customers will be notified through their preferred channel of communication (email or text). To select your channel of communication, visit wm.com/mypreferences.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CUSTOMER DISPUTES A CHARGE?
Our customer care staff will work to resolve any concerns by accessing additional images of the disputed service, which can be viewed by both parties. If there is an error, we will correct it.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A CART IS CONTAMINATED?
The picture shows a sample image identifying the contents of a contaminated cart that was just collected from a home and placed in our truck.
