Container Reviews

The City of Patterson conducts reviews of garbage, recycling, and organics containers as required by State law Senate Bill (SB) 1383. The purpose of the reviews is to reduce contamination in the waste stream and educate residents on waste sorting.

Patterson City Code, Section 6.15, requires that residents separate recyclables and organic waste from trash. Households with excessive contamination may need a separate pick-up or need to remove the contamination and dispose of it in the proper container, at a Household Hazardous Waste Facility , or schedule a Bulky Item Pick-Up or E-Waste Drop-Off Facility.

These reviews are random visual audits of curbside containers and will give the City data on how well customers sort trash, recyclables and organics. The City takes an education-first approach to container contamination and does not issue a fine on the first occurrence.

What happens during a container review?

City staff will perform a visual inspection of garbage, recycling, and organic containers for visible contamination. No material will be removed or touched.

  • If container is contaminated, staff will take a photo for recordkeeping purposes and issue a Cart Tag Notice. The Cart Tag Notice will note what contamination was found, and a QR Code for resources on what materials go in which container/bin.
  • City staff will follow it Municipal Code, Section 6.15.150 Enforcement regarding Process for Enforcement within the provisions. The penalty amounts for types of violations are:
  1. For a first violation, a courtesy notice will be issued.
  2. For a second violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be one hundred dollars per violation.
  3. For a third violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be two hundred dollars per violation.
  4. For a fourth or subsequent violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be five hundred dollars per violation.
  • Factors in Determining Penalty Amount shall be used to determine the amount of the penalty for each violation within the appropriate penalty amount range.

If you have any recycling questions, please email solidwaste@pattersonca.gov