How do I successfully complete a trash run?

This article walks you through everything: how to document your arrival, how to load materials correctly, and how to handle common situations like missing trash, install material on site, or a load that won't fit.

June 5, 2026

Documenting Your Arrival
When you arrive at a Sunrun trash pickup, take a photo of the trash outside the house before loading anything into your vehicle. This creates a record of the materials present at pickup and protects you if any questions come up about the job.

• Take the photo before loading anything. Capture all materials in a single shot if possible.
• Include the exterior of the house in the frame so the location is clearly identifiable.

Trash Loading Best Practices
Before loading, confirm the materials on site are properly prepared. Here is what a correctly prepped trash pile should look like:

• Battery shells must be stacked neatly on top of each other. No loose trash should be placed inside empty shells.
• All loose trash must be in garbage bags. Nothing should be unbagged or scattered.
• Cardboard boxes must be broken down and flattened before loading.
• Pallets should be stacked together.
• Only materials directly related to the solar job belong in this pickup. Refuse anything else.

Recommended loading order: pallets first, then battery cases, then cardboard, then bags on the ground. Use straps as needed to secure your load before driving.

What to Do If You Can't Fit Everything
Stack and organize materials as neatly as possible to maximize space in your vehicle. If there is still more than you can safely carry:

• Load what you can fit safely and note what remains on site.
• The order will be split, and a second driver will be assigned to cover the stops you were unable to complete.

What to Do If There Is No Trash on Site
Sunrun crews are responsible for notifying their warehouse team when a trash run is not needed. If you arrive and there is nothing to pick up, you do not need to wait or take any additional action.

Note: You will still be paid in full for your attempt, even if there is no trash on site.

What to Do If There Is Install Material on Site
You may arrive at a site that has both trash and install material present. These are two separate run types and must be handled independently.

Do not take install material on a trash pickup run. If you see install material in addition to the trash, leave it on site. A separate run must be created to return install material to the warehouse. Taking it on your trash run creates complications for the customer and the Sunrun crew.

• Take only designated trash items.
• Note any install material in your delivery comments before completing the order.
• Contact Dispatch Support if you need guidance.

What to Do If Materials Don't Belong to the Job
Trash pickups cover only materials directly associated with the solar installation. You are not responsible for anything outside that scope.

• You may refuse to take shrubbery, branches, brush, yard waste, or any materials unrelated to the solar job.
• If you are unsure whether something belongs to the job, contact Dispatch Support before loading it.
• Note any refusals in your delivery comments before completing the order.

You are not responsible for general yard cleanup. If someone on site asks you to take materials that did not come from the job, you are not obligated to do so. Contact Dispatch Support if you feel pressured.

When in doubt, contact Dispatch Support. If you run into anything unexpected on site, reach out before completing the order. We can only help if we know there is a problem.