New construction and housing starts may be at a near stand-still, but trash bins and garbage trucks keep rolling along.

Earlier this month, Yuba-Sutter Disposal Inc. expanded its capacity permit to prepare for the next 10 years of population growth in Yuba and Sutter counties.

"When we do get that next growth spurt," said YSDI Spokesperson Jackie Sillman, "we want to be able to handle it."

The trash and recycling facility has been permitted since 2001 to process 1,080 tons of garbage and recyclable materials each day. For the next 10 years, the facility at the north end of Marysville will be allowed to process up to 1,870 tons per day.

Construction-related refuse, Sillman said, has been a major contributor of waste processed at the plant in recent years.

When the company's last expansion permit was issued seven years ago, the plant averaged 400 tons of garbage per day.

Today, the plant averages close to 900 tons, Sillman said.

The need for expanded capacity is an inevitable product of population growth, said General Manager Dave Vaughn.

"More people, more trash," he said.

Yuba and Sutter counties are expected to continue growing at a rate of more than 10 percent over the next decade.

Fortunately, said Sillman, the percentage of garbage bound for landfills is shrinking, as area residents become more accustomed to separating their recyclables.

In 2001, separated recyclables comprised 29 percent of waste brought in to the plant. In 2007, recyclables made up 63 percent of YSDI's tonnage.

But the rules still confuse residents.

Sillman said workers at the front office field a lot of interesting questions.

Question: Can I recycle my dead cat?

Answer: No.

Question: But wouldn't it fit in to the composting process?

Answer: No.

Sillman said she appreciates it when people at least call and ask first.

Some just add dead animals to their yard waste or put dirty diapers in their blue bin with aluminum cans and cardboard.

"We're challenged by people who hide their garbage," Sillman said.

Sillman said she expects capacity increases at the plant over the next few years will require upgrades to equipment and more workers at the facility.

Regardless of what happens to the housing market and when, "we know more waste is going to be coming here," Sillman said, "and we have to keep up with volume."

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Nancy Pasternack at 749-4712 or at npasternack@appealdemocrat.com