Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD)

Family Owned and Operated

TTSD is proud to serve the community we call home. We remain unique in our industry as a local, independent operator maintaining a neighborly approach for the safe, responsible, and efficient collection and processing of solid waste. We focus on excellent service and strive for pragmatic innovation in meeting the demands of our exceptional environment and changing industry.

Our Mission

Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal is dedicated to providing our community excellent service at a reasonable cost in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Company History

Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal is a family owned and operated company. The principal owner, Silvano Achiro, comes from a family involved in the waste industry since 1896. Italy was a very poor country, which prompted countless men to travel to America in hopes of providing for their families. Few people were willing to haul garbage, but many Italians ignored the discriminatory slurs and took what work they could. Achiro’s grandfather, Rafelin DeMattei, was one of those men who made the trip to America. In those days, when one boarded a boat to America it could mean the ship was bound for North America or South America. Some relatives ended up in Argentina, where their descendants remain today with a large number of fellow Italians whose forefathers similarly sought freedom from economic strife. Rafelin ended up in San Francisco where he worked for some time as a salvager, eventually returning to Italy with his earnings. His initial work was on a farm and the common practice then was to simply bury the garbage in the back yard.

After the big earthquake and fire, Rafelin returned to San Francisco in 1906. The reconstruction of the city and its continued growth meant restricted space, which in turn meant that people could no longer bury garbage in their back yards. Various small garbage collection companies were formed to capitalize on the growing need for refuse removal services. With all companies, garbage was collected from customers, hauled by horse and cart, and dumped in the bay. In 1911 Rafelin was one of four men who founded the San Francisco Scavenger Company, consisting of the four partners, four horses and two carts. Rivalries were fierce between the various collection groups. Customers were frequently stolen and fighting was not uncommon, especially at group events, such as picnics, where alcohol was present. In 1916-17, in efforts to bring order and organization to the industry, the many collection groups merged as a unified force in the form of two companies, the Scavenger Protective and the Sunset Scavengers. A short time later, Rafelin sold his shares and returned to Italy to live out his years.