Multi-Family
WVR offers multi-family dwellings a wide variety of services, including complimentary site assessments and trainings to help your property with all its collection needs! See below for a full list of available programs and services. Not finding what you’re looking for? Contact WVR today for customized assistance!
Set Out Instructions
- Containers and materials must be placed out for collection at the curb or in the designated collection area prior to 6:00 a.m. on your service day(s).
- Carts and bins must have a minimum of 2-feet clearance between other carts/bins and 5-feet clearance from any obstacles (including overhead), such as parked cars or trees. If your designated collection area has a gate, please keep the area in front free from obstruction.
- Lids should be able to fully close. Please do not overload your carts or bins.
- Bulky items or undesired waste, such as mattresses, furniture, or old appliances should not be left in or near the designated collection area blocking access to carts or bins. Contact WVR to schedule a pick-up of these items.
What Goes Where
Have questions about what goes where? We can help with that! View or download our How-To Guide to learn what materials belong in each cart.
Services, Programs, and More!
Minimum Service Requirements
Effective July 1, 2024, West Valley Recycles implemented a comprehensive new program for multi-family properties like yours. Under the new program your property will be provided with a minimum level of organics, recycling and landfill service based on the number of dwelling units to ensure that there is adequate service for all your tenants. If you find the minimum is not enough for your property, more service is available at no additional cost, so just ask. We want to make sure you have plenty of services to keep waste areas clean and that your tenants can recycle and compost as much as they need to. In addition, multi-family properties will be able to participate in bulky cleanup programs, previously only available to single-family residents.
Along with these services comes a new rate structure. Instead of charging by the size and frequency of containers, you will be billed per dwelling unit at your property. Each property will now be provided a minimum service of:
- 10 gallons of organics collection service per unit/per week
- 20 gallons of recycling service per unit/per week
- 20 gallons of landfill/garbage service per unit/per week
Container Rates and Sizes
Multi-Family residents can receive collection services for organics, recycling, and landfill up to five times per week.
Services are available in the following container sizes:
- Organics, Recycling, and Landfill
- 35-gallon, 65-gallon, or 95-gallon
- 1-, 1.5-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, and 8- cubic yard bins
Please note: 8-cubic yard bins are only available for recycle and landfill materials. If a customer subscribes to a 3-, 4-, or 6-cubic yard bin for organic materials and the bin is found to be consistently overweight, West Valley Recycles may require service in smaller size bins.
Need a different size container?
Property managers or account holders can contact West Valley Recycles to request a different container size or for help determining what container size is right for your site. Did you know that effectively utilizing your organics and recycling containers can help the environment by reducing landfill waste? West Valley Recycles offers free educational materials, right sizing help, and trainings to support your diversion goals.
Please note: Multi-family customers may share containers with a nearby multi-family complex, upon West Valley Recycles approval. If interested, contact us for more information. West Valley Recycles reserves the right to deny a request for a smaller container if the capacity of the requested container is not sufficient for the volume of material generated.
Monthly service rates can be found by clicking the link below:
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Rate Schedule
New rates are effective July 1, 2024. Rate notifications mailed to residents can be viewed by clicking the link below:
Additional Services
- On-Call Bulky Cleanup Program: Multi-family tenants may schedule one (1) bulky item collection per dwelling unit, per calendar year. Each set out can include up to three (3) cubic yards of bagged, boxed, or bundled reusable items, recyclable materials, yard trimmings, and solid waste AND up to three (3) large items including one (1) e-waste item and two (2) appliances and/or pieces of furniture (not to exceed 150 pounds). Collection of extra materials in excess of the permitted one (1) bulky item collection per dwelling unit per year (equivalent to the total number of dwelling units at the property) is available for an additional charge.
- Move In and Move Out Kits: WVR will provide move in and move out kits to tenants, which will include a recycle tote, educational materials, battery bag and kitchen pail at the request of the property manager, owner, or tenant.
- Organics Kitchen Pails: One complimentary internal pail is provided to each new occupant, designed to store food scraps and food soiled paper in the kitchen to be emptied directly into the organics container for collection. Please do not leave your kitchen pail near the container. WVR will provide one complimentary pail annually upon request.
- Household Batteries: Multi-family complexes with 15 or less units can store used household batteries including A, AA, AAA, B, C, D, 9-volt, and button-type inside WVR provided fluorescent bag and placed out for collection on top (never inside) of your landfill container. Tape rechargeable battery terminals before placing inside the bag. Contact WVR to request your complimentary bag. Multi-family complexes of 16+ units should arrange battery collection service directly with WVR to receive a battery collection container and determine a mutually agreeable collection location. Thank you for doing your part to protect our drivers from dangerous truck fires!
- Holiday Tree Collection: Holiday tree collection is available from the first Monday in January until the first regularly scheduled Organic Materials Collection day of the last week of February. Please remove tree stands, tinsel, and decorations and place in the designated collection area or complimentary drop box, depending on the size of the property.
- Multi-Family Waste Consulting: WVR offers free technical assistance including right sizing support, educational materials and trainings, and assessments to increase your complex’s recycling and compliance with state regulations. Contact WVR to request an appointment with the outreach department.
Electronic Waste (E-waste), Universal Waste (U-waste), Household Hazard Waste (HHW)
It is illegal to place in ANY amounts of E-waste, U-waste or HHW in your containers for collection, down storm drains, or sewer. These items include chemicals and other toxic materials that require special handling. Some options for collection of E-waste and U-waste are available through WVR. Learn more by visiting the Additional Services section above.
WVR also offers customers a free drop off location for items such as motor oil and filters, water-based paint, household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and e-waste at the following drop off location.
- 575 Charles St., San Jose, CA 95112
- Open weekly, Tuesday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. only
For a full list of HHW disposal options, please contact Santa Clara Household Hazardous Waste by visiting hhw.org or calling (408) 299-7300 for free, local drop off locations and program information.
Regulatory Requirements
SB 1383
Senate Bill (SB) 1383 is California’s state law that requires businesses to reduce organic waste being disposed of in landfills. When landfilled, organic waste creates and emits short-lived climate pollutants, such as methane gas, a key contributor to climate change.
WVR is required to perform annual contamination monitoring at randomly selected locations. WVR staff will lift container lids and visually examine contents to determine if proper sorting practices are being used and to help identify ways to best support and educate customers. Contact WVR to learn more about SB 1383 regulations and our contamination minimization program.