Trash receptacles and storage containers: reflective markings.

Plain English Breakdown

The official text does not specify what happens if a trash can is damaged and needs new reflectors.

Trash Cans Need Reflective Markings

This law requires large trash cans and storage containers placed on roadways to have reflective markings for better visibility, especially at night.

What This Bill Does

• Requires manufacturers who sell or provide compensation for large trash receptacles or storage containers (longer than 3 feet and taller than 4 feet) designed to be placed on a roadway or curb to mark the receptacle with reflectors on each side when sold.
• Starting January 1, 2026, owners of such large trash cans must also mark their receptacles with reflectors.
• Existing trash cans with reflectors applied before January 1, 2025, do not need additional strips unless the original reflectors were removed.
• For storage containers transported by truck and trailer, the reflective tape must be fluorescent yellow, red, white, or alternating red and white.

Who It Names or Affects

• Manufacturers who sell large trash receptacles or storage containers
• Owners of large trash receptacles or storage containers placed on roadways

Terms To Know

Reflective tape

A type of tape that reflects light to make objects more visible, especially at night.

Retroreflective sheeting

Material used in reflective tape that bounces light back towards its source, making it easier for drivers to see the object.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify what happens if a trash can is damaged and needs new reflectors.
• It's unclear how enforcement of this rule will be carried out.

Official Summary Text

SB 731, Archuleta.
Trash receptacles and storage containers: reflective markings.
Existing law requires a manufacturer who sells or provides for compensation, and, commencing January 1, 2026, an owner of, a trash receptacle or storage container that is longer than 3 feet and taller than 4 feet and that is designed to be placed on a roadway or the curb of a roadway in order to be emptied or picked up to mark the receptacle or container with a reflector on each side. Existing law additionally requires 8 strips of fluorescent yellow reflective tape made of certain high-performance retroreflective sheeting to be placed on specified locations on a trash receptacle or
storage container, unless the trash receptacle or storage container’s reflective tape is made of the high-performance retroreflective sheeting and was applied before July 1, 2023.
This bill would apply this exemption from the additional, 8-strip requirement to a receptacle or container with reflectors applied prior to January 1, 2025, and would eliminate the exemption’s requirement for the reflectors to be reflective tape made of certain high-performance retroreflective sheeting. The bill would require, when not exempted, the reflective tape for a storage container transported by truck and trailer to be fluorescent yellow, red, white, or alternating red and white, and be made of
specified high-performance retroreflective sheeting.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF