Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ashland
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Every other week on trash day (varies by zone)
Yard Waste
Weekly on trash day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Waste Management handles residential trash, recycling, and organics billing for the Oro Loma Sanitary District area. Residents are eligible for two free on-call bulky item collections per calendar year.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Gray Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged before being placed in the gray cart. Do not overfill the cart; lids must close completely to avoid Smart Truck overage penalties.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Compostable and bioplastic products
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Textiles and old shoes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables. Containers should be lightly rinsed and completely empty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean corrugated cardboard and paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags or compostable bio-bags. Place organic materials directly into the green cart. Keep dirt, rocks, and treated wood out.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Branches and clean wood (under 4 feet)
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, coffee filters)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free curbside pickups per calendar year
Placement
Have your approved items ready at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on the scheduled day, but do not set them out the night before to avoid illegal dumping by others.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Up to 4 passenger vehicle tires (no rims)
- ✓ Bagged trash (up to 2 cubic yards)
- ✓ Bundled clean wood (under 4 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Single items weighing over 75 pounds (excluding furniture/appliances)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Rocks, dirt, concrete, or construction debris
- ✕ Treated or painted wood
Customers will be charged extra fees for placing items out that exceed the 2-cubic-yard limit or for scheduling pickups beyond their two free annual allowances.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no delay.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic waste (green cart) and recycling (blue cart) collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
Holidays not listed, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, do not affect the collection schedule in the Oro Loma Sanitary District.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing Christmas, WM provides curbside holiday tree collection [3.2.3]. Trees must be completely stripped of ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands. If the tree is heavily flocked, it is considered garbage and must be cut up and placed in the gray trash cart.
Fall
October - NovemberAs leaves begin to drop, ensure all yard waste is placed loosely inside the green organics cart. Do not pack the cart too tightly, as the automated trucks rely on gravity to empty the material.
Local Tips & Community Info
Solid Waste Operations Through Oro Loma
Because Ashland is an unincorporated community within Alameda County, local solid waste and recycling are administered by the Oro Loma Sanitary District. Rather than using city trucks, the district contracts directly with Waste Management (WM) of Alameda County to execute the weekly residential hauling. This partnership ensures that neighborhoods remain pristine while complying with state-mandated environmental diversion goals. Your refuse fees are generally integrated into your property tax bill or billed directly by Oro Loma, depending on your housing type.
Container Placement Directives
To guarantee your refuse is collected without a hitch, Waste Management requires all bins to be positioned at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your specific service day. The automated lifting mechanisms on the trucks require a minimum of three feet of clearance around each cart, as well as space away from basketball hoops, parked cars, and streetlights. Keep the lids firmly closed. If materials are spilling over the top, the driver may skip the pickup or assess an overage fee to your account.
Navigating Organics and SB 1383 Rules
Under California legislation, every Ashland household must actively participate in food waste recovery. Your green compost bin is not just for grass clippings and branches; it is also the mandatory destination for food scraps, coffee grounds, and soiled paper products like pizza boxes. Bagging your compost is only permitted if you use certified compostable BPI-approved bags or clear paper bags. Throwing organic matter into the gray landfill cart is a violation of local Alameda County ordinances.
Scheduling Your Annual Bulky Clean-Ups
Clutter can pile up quickly, but you don't need to rent a dumpster for minor garage cleanouts. Oro Loma Sanitary District customers are granted two complimentary bulky item pick-ups every calendar year. These appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling Waste Management. You can set out up to two cubic yards of trash, plus three large appliances or furniture pieces. Do not leave items on the sidewalk prior to the evening before your scheduled appointment, as this violates illegal dumping codes.
Toxic Waste and the StopWaste Program
Chemicals, motor oil, fluorescent tubes, and old paint cans must be diverted from standard garbage routes to prevent fires in the compactor trucks. Ashland residents have access to the Alameda County household hazardous waste drop-off facilities. Coordinated through the StopWaste initiative, these local centers safely process dangerous materials at no direct cost to the consumer. For smaller items like household batteries, some local hardware stores participate in take-back programs.
Holiday Service Postponements
Waste Management operates on a delayed schedule during highly celebrated holidays, specifically Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. When these dates occur during the standard Monday-through-Friday workweek, all subsequent collections are pushed back a single day, culminating in a Saturday pickup for Friday customers. If the holiday lands on a weekend, your routine remains entirely unaffected.
Drop-off Facilities
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program
Various drop-off locations (Call 800-606-6606 for closest facility)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage pickup services in Ashland?
Trash collection in the unincorporated area of Ashland is overseen by the Oro Loma Sanitary District, with Waste Management (WM) of Alameda County serving as the contracted hauler.
How many free bulky item pickups can I request?
Single-family homes receive up to two free bulky item collections per calendar year. You must contact Waste Management directly to reserve your date.
Can I leave extra trash bags next to my bin?
No. All waste must fit inside the provided carts with the lids completely shut. Extra bags left on the curb will not be collected unless you purchase official prepaid tags in advance.