How to request a new trash or recycling cart

A reliable trash or recycling cart helps keep collection areas safe, prevents loose materials from entering streets, and makes scheduled pickup easier for crews. If your cart is missing, damaged, too small, or no longer suitable for your household, the City of Susanville Public Works Department can provide guidance on the correct request process.

The steps may differ depending on whether you need a first cart for a new service address, a replacement for a damaged container, or an additional cart. Gather the details about your property and cart before contacting the department so staff can identify the service and respond efficiently.

Current contact information, department updates, utility resources, and municipal service details are available through the Public Works website. Use the city’s published instructions as the final source for application methods, service rules, and any applicable charges.

Identify the type of cart service you need

Start by deciding whether the request concerns trash, recycling, or both. A trash cart is generally used for regular household refuse, while a recycling cart is intended for accepted recyclable materials. Items such as hazardous waste, liquids, yard debris, and oversized materials may require separate disposal arrangements.

You may also need to distinguish between a replacement and a new container. A replacement is appropriate when a cart is stolen, lost, cracked, missing a lid, or damaged during collection. A new or additional cart may apply when establishing service at a property or when the existing capacity does not meet household needs.

Describe the problem accurately. A cart that is damaged but still usable may need repair, while a cart that cannot safely be moved or emptied may need to be exchanged. Clear information helps prevent delays and reduces the chance of receiving the wrong container.

Prepare your property and account details

Have the service address, resident or account-holder name, telephone number, and a preferred method of contact available. If the cart has an identification number, color, or city marking, record it before submitting the request. A photo can also help document a broken lid, cracked body, missing wheel, or other damage.

If the cart disappeared after collection, check nearby properties and the surrounding street first. Carts can be moved by wind, vehicles, animals, or neighbors. Confirm that the container was placed at the correct collection point and that it was not moved behind a gate or enclosure.

Keep utility information organized as well. For example, residents managing several city services can use the department’s guidance on checking a water meter when investigating water concerns separately from a solid-waste request. A water issue should not be reported as a trash-cart problem.

Submit the request through the city

Use the current Public Works contact option listed for solid waste or sanitation services. Depending on the city’s procedures, requests may be accepted online, by telephone, by email, or through another designated customer-service channel. Include the property address and explain whether the request is for a trash cart, recycling cart, repair, replacement, or additional capacity.

State when the problem was noticed and whether the cart was recently serviced. If collection crews damaged the container, mention the approximate pickup date and leave the cart available for inspection if instructed. For a missing cart, provide the last date and location where it was seen.

Do not place a new request under a neighbor’s address or use a different account to speed up service. Cart records are often connected to a property, route, or utility account. Accurate details help the department update its records and deliver the container to the correct location.

Choose the right request type

The request category affects what information staff may need and whether an inspection, exchange, or additional approval is required. Use this guide to prepare the most relevant details before contacting the city.

Situation	Information to provide	Likely next step
Missing or stolen cart	Service address, cart type, last known location, date noticed	Staff reviews the account and arranges replacement instructions
Damaged cart	Description of damage, cart type, photos if available	Repair, inspection, or exchange may be scheduled
New service address	Move-in or service details and requested cart types	Staff explains account setup and delivery requirements
Need for more capacity	Existing cart information and household needs	Staff explains available sizes, limits, and possible fees
Recycling cart request	Address, current recycling service, and requested container	Staff confirms eligibility and delivery or exchange steps

Keep the cart at the property unless the department tells you to place it at another location. A service representative may need to verify the container or arrange pickup before issuing a replacement.

Know what happens after submission

A request may not result in immediate delivery. Staff might verify the account, check whether the container belongs to the city, confirm the collection route, or determine whether the cart can be repaired. If a fee applies, ask about the amount and accepted payment methods before authorizing the work.

Follow any placement instructions provided by Public Works. These may address access, gates, steep driveways, parked vehicles, collection-day timing, and the distance between carts. Keeping the service area clear helps crews complete delivery or exchange work safely.

If the cart is not serviced after the expected date, contact the department again with the original request date and any reference number. Avoid submitting several duplicate requests, since repeated entries can make account tracking less clear.

Use carts safely and correctly

Place only approved materials in each container and keep recyclables loose unless local instructions specify otherwise. Do not put batteries, propane cylinders, paint, chemicals, medical sharps, or other hazardous materials into household trash or recycling carts. These items can injure workers, damage equipment, or create fires.

Keep cart lids closed when possible, and do not overload the container so the lid cannot settle. Tie or contain loose trash as appropriate, while avoiding materials that could become trapped in the cart. On windy days, position the cart securely without blocking sidewalks, driveways, hydrants, or traffic lanes.

A trash-cart request is separate from a natural-gas emergency. If you smell gas near your home, leave the area and follow the urgent guidance in natural-gas safety instructions rather than using a routine Public Works form.

Make the request easier to process

Confirm whether you need trash service, recycling service, a repair, a replacement, or an additional cart.
Record the service address, account-holder details, cart number, and date the issue occurred.
Take clear photos of damage and keep the cart accessible for inspection or exchange.
Follow the city’s placement, collection, and accepted-material instructions.
Save the request date, confirmation number, and any staff directions.

Review the latest solid-waste information on the City of Susanville Public Works website, then submit complete details through the designated channel. Prompt, accurate reporting helps the department restore dependable trash and recycling service while keeping city collection routes efficient and safe.