The San Benito County Board of Supervisors supports an “uncovered load” policy for John
Smith Road Landfill directed at reducing roadside litter throughout the county. A commonly recognized cause of roadside litter is the release of loose, unsecured materials from vehicles hauling refuse or recyclable materials on public roadways. The County’s Integrated Waste Management Department provides financial support for a variety of roadside litter abatement programs within the county. As provided for under the John Smith Road Landfill Rate Schedule, all vehicles entering the landfill facility must have fully covered and/or secured loads to prevent the release of refuse or recyclable materials. All uncovered or unsecured loads will be charged $5.00 (Pick-ups, cars, vans and trailers under 10 feet in length) or charged $50.00 (Weighed loads) Revenues from the uncovered load program are utilized to offset County funded litter abatement programs on public roadways and riverbeds.
California State Vehicle Code, Section 23115 further defines the transport of refuse and recyclable materials on public highways:
“Rubbish Vehicles”
23115. (a) No vehicle loaded with garbage, swill, cans, bottles, wastepapers, ashes, refuse, trash, or rubbish, or any other noisome, nauseous, or offensive matter, or anything being transported to a dump site for disposal [or recycling] shall be driven or moved upon any highway unless the load is totally covered in a manner which will prevent the load or any part of the load from spilling or falling [or blowing] from the vehicle.
All incoming loads of refuse or recyclable materials entering the landfill facility must meet the following guidelines to avoid an uncovered load charge:
1. The entire load must be completely contained within the vehicle, (i.e. closed trunk of a car, inside a fully enclosed camper shell, or secure cargo box); or
2. If the load is in the back of a pick-up or other open body carrier, the load must be completely covered with a solid tarp or other solid cover (i.e. plywood, old carpet).
3. Tarps or other solid covers must be large enough to completely cover all transported materials.
4. Tarps or other solid covers must be fully secured to the body of the vehicle to prevent loss of transported materials or the covering material.
5. Appliances or other large objects (i.e. logs, stumps, furniture) are not required to be covered, but must be fully secured to the transporting vehicle with ropes or other appropriate retention devises.
6. Vehicles transporting aggregate materials, soil, broken concrete or asphalt are not required to be covered, but transported materials must not exceed the vehicle’s carrying capacity or be placed in the vehicle in a manner that will allow release during transport.