Gray Bin (Trash)
Place carts in the gutter with wheels against the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure a one-foot gap between carts and three feet of clearance from parked cars. Lids must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Milk, juice, and soup cartons
- ✓Small plastics (lids, utensils, medicine bottles)
- ✓Foam packaging and broken dishware
Blue (Bottles/Cans) and Gray/Tan-Lid (Paper/Cardboard) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loose in the cart. Berkeley recommends wiping containers clean with a spatula or used napkin instead of rinsing to conserve water.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flat cardboard and molded fiber
- ✓Clean, dry paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans and aluminum foil
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Plastics smaller than a yogurt cup
- ✕Coated paper cups and cartons
- ✕Liquids or food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Tree branches must be no more than 2 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter. Materials must be loose or contained in paper bags or newspaper, never plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓All food scraps (including meat, bones, and shellfish)
- ✓Coffee grounds
- ✓Uncoated paper napkins and food-soiled paper
- ✓Yard trimmings and leaves
- ✓BPI or CMA-certified compostable fiber-ware
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One (1) free bulky waste pickup per calendar year for eligible 1-4 unit residential buildings.
Placement
Call (510) 981-7270 to schedule. Standard bulk items are collected on Wednesdays; mattresses are collected on Thursdays. Place items curbside by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted
- ✓ Bagged or boxed bulky household trash
- ✓ Painted or stained wood under 5 feet (bundled)
- ✓ Rugs rolled up to 5 feet long and 12 inches in diameter
- ✓ Up to two mattresses per pickup (scheduled separately)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Dirt, rock, or concrete
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Wet mattresses (avoid rainy days)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
If you do not qualify for the free pickup or need a second pickup within the same calendar year, you can schedule a paid pickup through the Zero Waste Division.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no collection on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day. If your regular pickup falls on or after the holiday, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week, extending into Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Compost and Ecology Center recycling collections face the exact same one-day delay as residential landfill collection.
Collection schedules are NOT affected by any other holidays (e.g., Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th). Carts must be set out on their normal day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Avoid Faux 'Compostables'
Many plastics marketed as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' do not break down in municipal facilities. Unless an item is explicitly certified by BPI or CMA as fiber-based, it must go in your gray landfill cart.
Keep Small Plastics Out
Any rigid plastic item smaller than a standard yogurt cup—such as loose bottle caps, plastic cutlery, and pill bottles—will fall through the recycling screens at the Ecology Center. Throw them in the trash.
The Bag Film Ban
Plastic bags, cling wrap, and film packaging severely jam sorting machinery. Never place recyclables inside plastic bags; keep everything completely loose in the blue cart.
Seasonal Information
Summer/Fall
June - OctoberTo reduce extreme fire hazards in the hills, eligible residents should utilize the city's Fire Fuel Chipper and Vegetation Debris Bin program to clear thick brush and ladder fuels before the peak fire season.
Winter
December - JanuaryThe city does not automatically collect excess holiday trash left on the curb. You must purchase official Pre-Paid Bags if your post-holiday waste exceeds the capacity of your gray cart.
About Berkeley Waste Management
Berkeley's Unique Dual-Hauler System
The City of Berkeley operates under a highly specialized collection model to achieve its ambitious landfill diversion targets. While the municipal Zero Waste Division handles the collection of the gray landfill carts and green compost carts, curbside recycling for 1-to-9 unit residential properties is exclusively managed by the non-profit Ecology Center. This dual-service approach requires residents to direct specific bin inquiries and missed pickup reports to the respective organization responsible for that stream.
Strict Adherence to SB 1383 Organics Mandates
In partnership with StopWaste and Alameda County's Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance, Berkeley strictly enforces California's SB 1383 law. All households are required to separate food scraps, including meat, bones, and solid dairy, directly into the green compost cart alongside yard trimmings. To support this effort, the city provides residents with free kitchen food scrap pails upon request.
Pre-Paid Bags for Excess Waste
If you occasionally generate more garbage or yard debris than your standard carts can hold, you do not need to upgrade your monthly service tier immediately. Berkeley offers official Pre-Paid Bags that can be purchased at the Customer Service Center on Center Street. These bags can simply be placed beside your carts on your normal collection day, allowing for a flexible, pay-as-you-throw solution for occasional deep cleans.
Navigating the Bulky Waste and Mattress Program
Eligible property owners of 1-to-4 unit buildings receive one free bulky waste pickup per calendar year, up to three cubic yards. Scheduling is incredibly specific: general bulky waste pickups are conducted exclusively on Wednesdays, while dedicated mattress collections happen on Thursdays. Because wet mattresses cannot be recycled locally, the city strongly advises against scheduling mattress pickups during rainy weather.
Wildfire Mitigation via the Chipper Program
Given the elevated wildfire risks in the Berkeley hills, the city actively supports vegetation management. Residents who pay the local fire district surcharge can reserve specialized Fire Fuel Chipper services or request a temporary vegetation debris bin to clear out dry brush, overgrown shrubs, and tree limbs directly from their property.
Drop-off Facilities
Berkeley Transfer Station
1201 2nd St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Materials Accepted
Berkeley Recycling Center (Operated by Ecology Center)
669 Gilman St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call if my recycling is missed in Berkeley?
Because the City of Berkeley uses a dual-hauler system, you must call the Ecology Center at (510) 527-5555 for missed recycling pickups. For missed compost or landfill collections, call the City's Zero Waste Division at (510) 981-7270.
Can I put milk or juice cartons in the recycling or compost?
No. Multi-layered, coated products like milk cartons, juice boxes, and soup cartons cannot be recycled or composted in Berkeley. They must be placed in the gray landfill cart.
How does the Pre-Paid Bag system work?
Residents with curbside service can buy pre-paid bags for extra trash or plant debris that won't fit in their carts. These can be purchased at the Customer Service Center on Center Street. Place them next to your carts on collection day; the city will collect up to 10 bags at once.
Will my collection be delayed for Memorial Day or Labor Day?
No. The only holidays that disrupt Berkeley's waste collection schedule are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For all other holidays, you must place your carts out on your regularly scheduled day.