Curbside Garbage Container Program

Residential properties eligible for curbside household garbage collection may sign-up to rent one new wildlife resistant garbage container at no cost to the resident.

Free containers will remain City property, rented to the residence.
Rental containers are blue with a black lid and an imprint of the City logo.

Additional containers may be purchased, subject to availability.

The price to purchase a second container is set at the cost to the City, which is currently approximately $280. This cost is subject to change over time.
Purchased containers become the property of the resident.
Purchased containers are black with a black lid. (No imprint of City logo.)

Both rental and purchased containers are only available to residential properties located within Valdez City limits.

Each container will be assigned to a residence address and include a uniquely numbered tag to help the City track the container in the event it is lost or stolen.

Rental containers will also be labeled with the residence address. When a home changes owners/tenants, a new container agreement form will need to be filled out at City Hall for the rental container. Rental containers remain with the residence. Citizens may not take their rental container to a new residence.
Purchased containers are considered personal property and may follow their owner to a new property. Owners may label their container with their property address, if desired.

Wildlife-Resistant Container Agreement Forms

Wildlife-resistant garbage container agreement form

Paper agreement forms are available in the entryway at Valdez City Hall.

Agreement Forms may be submitted via:

Drop-off at City Hall.
Drop off at the Baler Facility.
Mail to City of Valdez, c/o WRC Program, PO Box 307, Valdez AK 99686.

Purchase of additional containers must be coordinated through the front office at City Hall and are subject to availability. (The Baler facility and City shop cannot accept payments.)

Wildlife resistant container delivery to residential properties will occur as they are ordered. City public works staff will directly contact each residence with a valid container agreement to schedule a delivery date and time.

As of October 31, 2020, only household garbage in the wildlife-resistant garbage containers will be collected curbside.

Tips for Successful Garbage Collection

Use the city issued wildlife resistant container.
Place your container out by 9:00 a.m. on your service day.
Place your container within two feet of the curb on a level surface, with the cart wheels facing the house. An ideal location to place your container is at the end of your driveway.
Place your container at least two feet away from permanent structures like mailboxes, walls, lamp posts, utility boxes, vehicles, etc.
Place your container at least two feet away from other containers.
Make sure nothing is between your cart and the street.
Avoid placing the cart near low hanging tree branches.
Avoid overfilling the container.
Avoid placing items on top of or next to the container.
Keep the container lock clean and free of debris so it latches properly.

Residential Curbside Collection Schedule

Curbside collection is currently free for Valdez residential properties.

Curbside Service Weekly Schedule:

Tuesday: Alaska Court, Dewey Court, Kotsina Court, Broadway Court, Homestead Road, Blueberry Hill Road, Iditarod, Jago, Klutina, Lowe, Mendeltna, Nebesna, Qumalik, Hanagita, Robe River Drive, Gulkana, Foraker, Eklutna, Dadina, Chena, Bremner, Mineral Creek Loop Road, and Richardson Highway (town to Airport Road).

Wednesday: Richardson Highway (Airport Road to City limits), Airport Road, 9^th Street, Aleutian Village Mobile Home Park, Valdez Mobile Home Park, Corbin Creek Subdivision, Robe River Subdivision, and Alpine Woods Subdivision.

Thursday: Resurrection Loop, Tonsina Lane, Wortmanns Lane, Shoup Lane, Keno Circle, Chilkat Circle, Birch Circle, Aspen Circle, Winter Park Circle, Clark Avenue, Valhalla Lane, Chistochina Lane, South Moraine, South Snowtree, South Waterfall, South Glacier, South Whirlway, Coho Place, Cottonwood Drive, North Glacier, North Waterfall, North Snowtree, North Moraine, Copper Street, West Hanagita, Ptarmigan Place, Mineral Creek Road, Mineral Creek Plaza, Cliffside Court, West Klutina, West Oumalik, West Nabesna, West Mendeltna, West Lowe, Pacific Avenue, and Woodside Drive.

If you do not see your street on the list above, contact the Baler facility for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions - Curbside Garbage Container Program

Q: What does the wildlife resistant container look like? How big are they? How do they work?
A: The new 95-gallon, rolling wildlife resistant containers are manufactured by Rehrig Pacific Company. Containers weigh 45lbs and are 42.75” high, 30.25” wide, and 34.5” deep. Wheels are extra-large and field tested for compatibility with northern climates.

The containers are certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) as bear resistant. IGBC certification means the containers have met minimum standards related to the effort which must be expended by grizzly bears to access the container’s contents.

Additionally, the container is designed with residents in mind – an ergonomic locking mechanism allows the container to be easily opened by humans with one hand, but prevents bears, birds and other wildlife from accessing its contents. The locking mechanism also prevents lost lids and trash being blown around during wind events.

On trash collection day, residents place their container along the curb at the end of their driveway. The City garbage trucks, outfitted with an automated lifting mechanism, grabs the container, lifts it over the truck so the gravity lock opens the lid, dumps its contents into the truck, and lowers it back to the ground so the lid closes and locks.

Q: Do I have to get one of the new wildlife resistant containers? Why can’t I just use my own garbage cans?
A: Effective October 31, 2020, curbside household garbage collection shifted to the new automated garbage collection system using the IGBC certified wildlife-resistant containers.

Household garbage left on the curb in other types of containers will not be collected by the City. Residents could be fined for leaving out garbage unattended in a non-approved container.

Those who do not wish to utilize curbside service, using the city-issued wildlife resistant containers, may continue to use any of the multiple designated public dumpsters throughout town for free. Residents may also take their household trash directly to the Baler facility during normal business hours. There is no fee for disposing of household trash at the Baler.

No changes to summer season brush/yard debris curbside collection.

Q: Did you test these new containers locally before the program started to see if they will actually work in Valdez?
A: Yes. Prior to program implementation, the City tested use of a container with several different households during both the summer and winter seasons. One household of five (two adults, three children) reported the container was more than big enough to hold the trash generated by the family. They reported it was not difficult to roll the full dumpster down the driveway to the curb, nor was it difficult to roll in snowy conditions up or down an inclined driveway.

Q: I’ve never participated in curbside garbage service. Can I still participate?
A: Yes, absolutely! All eligible residences may sign-up for the program.

Q: Are the wildlife resistant containers required year-round or just during summer/bear season?
A: Year round. The new containers help deter all types of wildlife including ravens and eagles. They are also heavier than traditional trash cans and include a locking mechanism. Thus, they will be less likely to fly away or spread trash during a wind event.

Q: I don’t want to rent a container, I would rather just purchase one outright and not have to worry about returning it to the City. Can I do that?
A: Yes. You may purchase a container, subject to availability.

Q: What kind of trash is accepted in the new containers?
A: Household trash only.

Cardboard can be broken down and placed in the new containers. However, do not wedge or cram the cardboard into the container as it will not empty properly with the automated collection system.

Contact the Baler facility for instructions on how to properly and legally dispose of yard debris, hazardous materials and construction materials.

Q: Once I rent one of the wildlife resistant containers, what do I do with my old garbage cans?
A: Bring your old garbage cans to the Baler facility and the City will dispose of them for you at no cost. If you are not able to transport your old garbage cans to the Baler, contact City public works for assistance.

You can also repurpose your old can for other uses. City public works will accept curbside yard debris and organic waste only in your old can. Please place yard debris and organic waste loose in the can (do not bag). Curbside yard debris collection is on Wednesdays during the summer season.

Q: Did the City buy new garbage trucks for the program?
A: No. Two garbage trucks in the City fleet were retrofitted with equipment to allow automated pick-up of the new curbside containers. The new equipment allows the driver of the truck to operate the pick-up equipment from inside the cab. This will alleviate the need for a second employee to ride on the back of the garbage truck to dump cans, which improves safety and efficiency.

Q: Does the efficiency with the new automated system mean we will have more than weekly curbside service?
A: City public works will use the new system through summer 2022.

In fall 2022, the curbside pick-up schedule will be evaluated to determine additional opportunities for service.

Q: How much will does the curbside program cost me? How much is the program saving the City?
A: There is no cost to the resident enrolling in the program unless they voluntarily choose to purchase additional containers. Curbside household trash collection is also free for residential properties within Valdez City limits.

The approximate initial cost of the program to the City is $315,000, which includes the first order of 680 curbside containers, automated container equipment to retrofit two garbage trucks, and travel/training for public works staff to learn how to safely operate the equipment.

Savings due to operational efficiencies will offset the costs associated with the program in less than two years.

Q: I heard the wildlife resistant containers lock. I am worried my children or pets could become trapped inside. Do the containers prevent against accidental entrapment?
A: Yes. The containers are ANSI certified and have an interior safety switch to unlock the container from the inside.

Q: Where do I store my new container?
A: The new containers are wildlife resistant, so can be stored either outside your residence or in the location where your current garbage cans are stored. Containers may only be placed curbside on collection days.

Q: What happens if my wildlife resistant container gets lost or stolen?
A: If your container is accidentally damaged, please call the Baler facility for assistance.

If your container is stolen or intentionally damaged, please call the Valdez Police Department non-emergency line to report the issue. Municipal code includes fines for stealing or damaging the wildlife resistant containers. If evidence proves your container was stolen or intentionally damaged by someone outside your household, provide your VPD case number to the Baler facility and your container will be replaced by the City at no cost to you.

Q: I have physical limitations and am worried I will not be able to roll the new containers from my house to the street. What should I do?

A: Please contact the Baler facility and they will work with you to provide assistance on collection days.

Q: I own several properties around town. Can I receive one rental container for each property?

A: Yes. One container may be rented at each physical address. Additional containers may be purchased subject to availability. Apartment buildings and other larger multi-family dwellings will still need to rent a dumpster.

Q: What is the replacement cycle for the new containers?
A: The lifecycle of the Rehrig containers is approximately 10 years based on normal wear and tear. City public works will contact the resident directly with instructions on how to replace rental containers at the end of its lifecycle.

Q: Why did my garbage not get collected?
A: In order for your garbage to be successfully collected, please follow these tips:

Use the city issued wildlife resistant container.
Place your container out by 9:00 a.m. on your service day.
Place your container within two feet of the curb on a level surface, with the cart wheels facing the house. An ideal location to place your container is at the end of your driveway.
Place your container at least two feet away from permanent structures like mailboxes, walls, lamp posts, utility boxes, vehicles, etc.
Place your container at least two feet away from other containers.
Make sure nothing is between your cart and the street.
Avoid placing the cart near low hanging tree branches.
Avoid overfilling the container.
Avoid placing items on top of or next to the container.
Keep the container lock clean and free of debris so it latches properly.

Q: I have other questions not answered on this page. Who do I contact for additional information?
A: For garbage collection, wildlife resistant container, or dumpster pod questions, please contact either City public works at (907) 835-4473 or Baler facility staff at (907) 835-2356.

Curbside Garbage Container Program