Mission Statement: The Environmental Services Division is responsible for administering the Solid Waste and Recycling Contract and Special Projects. The Division also provides support to the Public Works Department and other City of Livermore Departments. ESD staff are dedicated to sustainability via the prudent administration of solid waste and recycling programs and a concentration on special projects to enhance energy efficiency, water conservation, and public education. We are committed to providing responsive, timely, and cost-effective professional services to all customers.

FREE Compost Giveaway for Residents 

Livermore Sanitation is hosting a compost giveaway for Livermore residents on April 13th, 2024. Households can pick up 2 complimentary bags of compost.  This is a drive-through style event. Please stay in your car, pop your trunk, and staff will load the bags into your car.  For more information you may go to the Livermore Sanitation website at livermoresanitation.com or call 925-449-7300.  

Please be prepared to show identification or a utility bill to demonstrate residency. 

For more information on how to use compost, visit https://www.stopwaste.org/at-home/home-and-community-gardening  

Hosted by: Livermore Sanitation 

Location: Livermore Sanitation Offices at 7000 National Drive Livermore 

Hours: 8:00am to noon or while supplies last.  

Details here: www.livermoresanitation.com/community/  

Assignment of Livermore Sanitation, Inc.

Livermore Sanitation, Inc., who provides the collection of garbage, recyclable, and compostable materials to the City of Livermore, is now owned by Waste Connections, effective Dec. 1, 2022.

Livermore Sanitation agreed to a transfer of ownership to Waste Connections, the City Council approved Assignment on Nov. 28, 2022, and Waste Connections became the official owner of LSI on Dec. 1. There will not be changes to the Livermore Sanitation logo or staff, and the quality and consistency of current collections services will not change. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Assignment Report with more information about the Assignment transaction
Letter of commitment from Waste Connections

For more information, please contact the City of Livermore’s Environmental Services Division at 925-960-8015.

FREE Community Compost Hub for Residents

One of the best ways to feed your soil, conserve water, and grow healthier plants is to apply compost. Treat your plants and vegetables to FREE compost at Livermore’s Compost Hub Details here: www.stopwaste.org/composthub 

Compost Hubs are sites that offer compost for residents to take for free, and provide educational resources on making and using compost. This service is free to all residents, and is not restricted to those living in Livermore. Make sure to bring your own fillable containers. Compost is available during open hours listed below and is subject to availability.

Hosted by: Fertile Groundworks and the City of Livermore

Location: 4743 East Avenue in Livermore, at the end of Asbury United Methodist's Church parking lot

Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 9-12, and Fridays 3-6

Reducing Single-Use Foodware Accessories

Effective June 1, 2022, AB 1276 requires disposable foodware items only be provided upon request for delivery, take-out, and dining in. 

Disposable foodware items include:

• Straws • Stir sticks • Chopsticks • Utensils • Condiment containers • Cup spill plugs (splash sticks)

The following restrictions apply to on-site dining and orders taken in person or online:

• Disposable foodware items and condiments shall not be provided unless requested  by customer.

• Disposable foodware items and condiments shall not be bundled – customers should  have the choice of taking what they want.

• Restaurants using take-out and delivery services must list disposable foodware items on  their menu.

• Customers must ask for stir sticks, cup spill plugs for hot drinks and straws when they order drinks.

• Non-compliant businesses can be penalized.

• Restaurants may ask drive-through customers if they want disposable foodware items, but may not provide  them without customer consent.

Visit this link for more information:

www.stopwaste.org/resource/reducing-single-use-foodware-accessories-march-2022

New Compost and Recycling Law SB 1383

Effective January 1, 2022, a new California state law (SB 1383) goes into effect requiring that compostable materials be kept out of landfills—including food scraps, paper, cardboard, and plant trimmings—to prevent the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The City of Livermore adopted an ordinance known as the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (ORRO) to comply with SB 1383. The language can be found here in Section 8.08.1030 of the Livermore Municipal Code.

Residents must have curbside compost and recycling collection service and sort materials into the correct bins. Compost and recycling containers are available at no additional cost from Livermore Sanitation.

To learn what goes where, visit www.LivermoreRecycles.org

Businesses, institutions, and nonprofits as well as owners/managers of multifamily properties with five or more units must subscribe to compost and recycling collection service, set up color-coded and labeled indoor bins (multifamily properties: common areas only), ensure proper sorting, and educate employees, contractors, and/or tenants about the law at least annually and during tenant move-in and move-out. 

• Contact Livermore Sanitation at 925-449-7300 to order compost and recycling collection service if you don’t already have it and to request containers.
• To learn what goes where, visit Resource.Stopwaste.org/Curbside.

Food Recovery and Donation is required by some large food-generating businesses, institutions, and all public schools. For more information about which businesses are required to recover and donate edible food and for a list of food recovery organizations in Alameda County, please visit Resource.Stopwaste.org/food-recovery-organizations.

For more information about the ordinance, including free support services and outreach materials, visit www.StopWaste.org/Rules.

Single-Use Bag Ban Ordinance

For Restaurants

Eating establishments (and their delivery services/providers) in Alameda County may not distribute single-use plastic bags. Recycled content paper bags may be distributed for free. If your eating establishment only distributes compliant paper bags, no additional action is necessary. Compliant reusable bags (including thick, reusable plastic bags) may be distributed if at least ten cents is charged and itemized on the receipt. The eating establishment keeps the ten cent charge, which is not subject to sales tax. The law only applies to carryout bags, not to paper or plastic bags without handles that are used to protect food (such as around containers of soup or stew to prevent spilling).

For Retailers

No retailers in Alameda County may provide customers with single-use plastic bags at checkout. Bags made of recycled paper or reusable bags will be available for a minimum price of 10 cents per bag. Consumers may use any type of bags they wish and are strongly encouraged to do so. Small plastics bags used to protect and transport produce, bulk food, or meat from within a store to the checkout or cash register will still be available free of charge.

For more information, call StopWaste, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority at 510-891-6500 or go to ReusableBagsAC.org.

Livermore's Styrofoam Ban

Styrofoam® 'to-go' containers are not allowed to be provided by foodservice businesses in the City of Livermore. By switching to recyclable and compostable take-out alternatives, Livermore's businesses are reducing litter and water pollution. If you have questions, please review the information below, email us, or call 925-960-8015.

• Livermore Municipal Code 8.20 Styrofoam® Ban
• Styrofoam® Alternatives Vendor List
• Styrofoam® Ban Flyer

Solid Waste & Recycling Related Information

• Livermore Sanitation Inc.
• Third Amended and Restated Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials and Compostables Collection Franchise Agreement with Livermore Sanitation - Executed by City Council on 4-27-2020 (Be advised this file is large)
• First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement-Executed by City Council on 5-9-2022
• Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement-Executed by City Council on 11-28-2022
• Vasco Landfill Agreement
• Solid Waste Management Ordinance
• Organics Reduction & Recycling Ordinance (ORRO) 
• Permit Center
• Altamont Landfill Community Monitor Committee
• Republic Services Vasco Road Landfill Gate Rates

 

Recycling Videos

To learn more about the City of Livermore's recycling programs visit LivermoreRecycles.org or our Greening Livermore site on YouTube.