Waste Management
Has your business received a Notice of Violation for Mandatory Organics Recycling? Please contact us environment@ci.millbrae.ca.us or subscribe to organics recycling service with South San Francisco Scavenger (650) 589-4020
Our Climate Action Waste Goals
Waste Goals support our broader commitment to sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction. Diverting waste from the landfill and sorting waste properly cuts down on Methane, a strong greenhouse gas. Read more about how greenhouse gas changes our climate on our Climate Action Page.
- Community Landfill Diversion Rate Goal: Achieve 85% rate of diversion.
- Municipal Diversion Rate Goal: Achieve a 95% rate of diversion.
Our Plan
- Prevent and Reduce Waste
- Sort Waste Properly
- Enforce California and Millbrae Waste Laws for Residents, Businesses, and Municipal Operations
Our Waste Hauler
South San Francisco Scavenger Company, Inc.
South San Francisco Scavenger is a family-run business that has served Millbrae for decades. Scavenger has an exclusive agreement with the City of Millbrae, meaning all waste produced in the City of Millbrae must be collected by them, no outside haulers.
Current Franchise Agreement
Our current franchise agreement was signed in by City Council in 2009. In 2024, City Council adopted a first amendment to the 2009 agreement.
Millbrae and California Law
The following laws govern waste management practices for Residents, Contractors, Businesses and Multi-family Propeties 5+ Units.
For Residents
Recycling and Organics Recycling Collection Service: Residents must subscribe to and participate in the City's recycling and organics curbside collection service
Residents must sort out their recyclables and organics waste from the trash: Additional recycling carts are available upon request from the City of South San Francisco's franchised hauler, South San Francisco Scavenger Company, Inc.
Adequate Access to Organics Recycling for Collection: All residents must have adequate access to recycling and organics recycling service.
Sufficient Service Level: Home and property owners/property managers must ensure that they have subscribed to a recycling and organics recycling service level that is sufficient to allow all recyclables and organics to be separated from the trash.
Franchise Agreement: Millbrae’s exclusive agreement with South San Francisco Scavenger Company requires using their services for debris boxes and dumpsters. Exceptions apply to licensed demolition or construction contractors, who may self-haul if using their own vehicles and employees.
Theft of Recyclables: It is illegal for an uninvited third party to remove items in residential waste carts/bins. Once residential waste carts/bins are set out for collection, the materials inside are entrusted to South San Francisco Scavenger Company.
If there is an issue in your neighborhood, please contact the Millbrae Police Bureau at 650.259.2300.
Resources:
For Contractors
Deconstruction surveys for single-family demolitions: Free deconstruction surveys are required and must include a list of reusable materials in the project. Deconstruction is not required.
Salvage window: Allow 10 days to salvage before demolition.
Waste Management Plans: Required for Kitchen renovations, renovations over 500 square feet.
Resources:
- View Community Development Building Division Forms and Handouts for California Green Building Code, Demolition Permit requests, and Waste Management Plan documents.
- Read the Construction, Deconstruction, and Demolition Guide for San Mateo County (PDF)
- Consider deconstruction over demolition! Learn more about the San Mateo County Deconstruction Program
For Business and Multi-Family (5+ Units)
View our SB1383 Webpage for more information
Collection Services: Businesses must use South San Francisco Scavenger Company's recycling and organics curbside collection service. Businesses with trash service through South San Francisco Scavenger Company, Inc. receive unlimited recycling at no extra charge. A green bin for organics recycling will incur an additional fee. Depending on waste volume, businesses may need multiple carts or more frequent service. Waivers for low waste generation, space constraints, or collection frequency are available. Complete this form to request a waiver (PDF)
Franchise Agreement: Millbrae’s exclusive agreement with South San Francisco Scavenger Company requires using their services for debris boxes and dumpsters. Exceptions apply to licensed demolition or construction contractors, who may self-haul if using their own vehicles and employees.
Adequate Access: Ensure sufficient access to recycling and organics services for all stakeholders, including properly labeled and sized containers.
Service and Labeling: Subscribe to an adequate level of recycling and organics service. Containers must be appropriately sized, labeled, and colored for proper waste sorting.
Education and Sorting: Annually educate employees, contractors, tenants, and customers on waste diversion and sorting. Prohibit incorrect bin use and ensure ongoing awareness through regular outreach.
Resources:
Mandatory recycling law: Businesses that generate four (4) cubic yards or more of garbage per week and multi-family complexes of five (5) or more units are required to recycle as of July 1, 2012.
Resources:
Mandatory organics recycling law: Businesses that generate two (2) cubic yards or more of solid waste (garbage, organics and recyclables) a week are required to have organic waste collected for composting as of April 1, 2016.
Resources:
View our Disposable Foodware Ordinance Webpage for more information
Mandatory Compostable Foodware: The Ordinance bans the use of many single-use plastic foodware accessories and requires the use of compostable foodware, or reusable foodware.
No self-service for Foodware Accessories: Accessories such as single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cup spill plugs, condiment packets, utensils, napkins, etc. are required to be distributed only on request or by dispensers that distribute one item at a time as of March 25, 2022.
Enforcement: Compliance is enforced by San Mateo County on a complaint basis. If you know of a restaurant or other food facility that is not in compliance, please fill out the complaint form.
Resources:
Ban on Plastic Bags: Businesses are prohibited from providing single-use plastic carry-out bags.
Paper Bag Requirement and Fee: Businesses may offer single-use paper bags for a minimum of 10 cents per bag to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags.
Compliance and Enforcement: Businesses need to comply with these regulations, if they are found to be incompliant City code enforcement will issue a written warning notice for the first violation.
Resources:
See City of Millbrae Municipal Code Chp. 6.05 Single-Use Carry-Out Bage Ordinance (Link)
For Municipal Operations
Procure Compost: City must procure a certain quantity of compliant compost, mulch, renewable natural gas, or electricity from biomass, in order to provide a market for composted materials and thus close the loop.
Procure recycled paper products: Paper products must have a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content and be considered recyclable.
Participate in an edible food recovery program: Millbrae is participating in a countywide program led by the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability.
Monitor compliance and conduct enforcement
View the City of Millbrae 2023 CalRecycle Electronic Annual Report (EAR) (PDF).Recycling, Composting, and Reuse Programs: Review current programs to identify where facilities can add and/or expand recycling, composting, repair, waste prevention, and reuse programs.
Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance: Adopt the County of San Mateo's Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance.
Outreach on Illegal Dumping and Littering: Conduct outreach to multifamily buildings regarding how to properly recycle or dispose of unwanted furniture, appliances, mattresses, and other large items.
Certify Municipal Buildings as Green Businesses
Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Guidelines: Purchase products and services with high environmental performance and from manufacturers and suppliers that demonstrate a high level of environmental and social responsibility.
Work with Custodial Staff for Proper Recycling Practices
Staff Outreach and Education
Resources:
- For more information see City of Millbrae Municipal Zero Waste Policy (PDF) signed November 30th, 2020.