1 PROPOSED COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
COLLECTION SERVICE RATE INCREASE
(First proposed rate increase to become effective July 1, 2025) FAQ’s, Tips, & Best Practices for Businesses and Commercial Properties
The Napa community can be proud of its solid waste program that diverts approximately 65% of collected materials from landfill. Clean Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles collect materials that are processed at our robust recycling, food scrap and compost facility. What has changed? State Senate Bill 1383 requires recovery of organic materials.
Initiatives have been implemented with Napa Recycling and Waste Services (NRWS) to ensure compliance. Rates have not increased since 2022 and changes are proposed to meet the costs of the City’s successful materials diversion program.
HOW CAN I LOWER OR BETTER MANAGE MY BUSINESS
OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY RATE?
Reducing your trash (landfill) service can help lower your rate. If you consistently have recyclable and/or compostable items in the trash, you can save money. Contact NRWS to help you “right size” your service. Contact Us - Napa Recycling and Waste Services.
IS MY BUSINESES OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY PAYING FOR RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING SERVICE?
Uncontaminated recycling is free to businesses that are subscribed to service with NRWS.
If approved by the Napa City Council, new charges will apply to food composting (i.e., food scraps & soiled paper) and yard trimmings (aka “yard waste”) service at a reduced rate compared to landfill charges. For example:
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2 WILL MY BUSINESS BENEFIT IF EVERYONE SEPARATES FOOD SCRAPS, FOOD SOILED PAPER AND YARD TRIMMINGS?
Yes!! It pays to separate compostable materials. Rates for compost service are cheaper than paying for trash (landfill) service. Maximizing the use of your compost cart or bin saves landfill space, resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves you money. Read SB 1383: Short-Lived Climate Pollution Reduction - Napa Recycling and Waste Services.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING PROGRAMS?
Create more opportunities to motivate people to participate in these programs.
Establishing color-coded internal collection stations (blue for recycling, green for compost and grey for trash/landfill) containers, posting signage and labels featuring pictures of specific items or customizing your messages can be very effective in showing people how to sort. Napa Recycling - No Stretchy Plastics - 2 Minute PSA
HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND TENANTS ARE MAXIMIZING THE USE OF RECYCLING AND COMPOST SERVICE?
Inform all users. Employees, contractors, customers, and janitorial staff need to understand what can be recycled and composted and what should go in the trash.
Distribute information and post signage in busy areas of traffic.
Also talk to your janitorial service, let them know how important it is for you to manage the trash/recycling/compost service efficiently and that you need them to place materials in the correct designated carts or bins. Another good practice is to use clear liners to peek what is inside the bags (but make sure recyclables are dumped loose into the NRWS collection cart or bin). Check out Waste is a Verb: Tour the Napa Recycling & Composting Facility (youtube.com).
WHERE CAN EMPLOYEES OR TENANTS GET MORE INFORMATION SHOWING WHICH ITEMS GO IN THE CARTS OR BINS FOR RECYCLING, COMPOST AND TRASH(LANDFILL)? The quickest reference is to check the label on the lids of the carts and on the bins, and/or watch the video How to Sort Properly for City of Napa Businesses. Posting signage above carts and breakrooms can be a positive aid. Building managers and owners can request signs, stickers, and trainings at Interior Equipment & Sticker Request - Napa Recycling and Waste Services. Educational information is accessible on smart phones. For an easy-to- use tool, search the Napa Blue Recycling Carts: What Goes In & What Stays Out and other links.
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3 HOW CAN MY BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY RECYCLE LARGE ITEMS LIKE OLD ELECTRONICS?
Napa Recycling will collect used electronics, appliances, large pieces of scrap metal and rigid plastic and bagged clothing at no additional charge for commercial accounts. This service is called ‘Recycle More’. Program guidelines are listed on Recycle More Program :
Napa Recycling & Waste Services. Book an appointment online or call NRWS Customer Service at (707) 255-5200 or drop off e-waste for free at the Napa Recycling & Compost Facility. Check the guidelines at Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling in Napa.
WHERE CAN I FIND SIGNAGE, LABELS AND OTHER RESOURCES TO EDUCATE EMPLOYEES AND TENANTS TO REDUCE TRASH AND COMPOST AND RECYCLE MORE? All these resources and more are posted on the NRWS website. Visit: Recycling Signs - Napa Recycling and Waste Services and Sign Maker - Napa Recycling and Waste Services.
We encourage everyone to download, print, and share these tools.
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4 IF MY BUSINESS GENERATES VERY LITTLE TRASH, WILL I BE ABLE TO OPT OUT OF RECYCLING OR COMPOSTING SERVICE?
Because of State Law (SB 1383), it is now mandatory in California to sort discards into the three dedicated carts or bins for trash (grey), compost (green) and recycle (blue). We want to help you find a solution! Call NRWS at (707) 255-2500 or email Support: Napa Recycling & Waste Services.
WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
The NRWS Customer Service is available to answer your questions, call (707) 252-5200 or email at Contact Us - Napa Recycling and Waste Services.
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