Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Brentwood
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Alternating weeks on trash collection day
Yard Waste
Alternating weeks on trash collection day
Set Out Time
By 5:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage, water, and sewer charges are billed together on your monthly City of Brentwood utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Payment Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income seniors (age 62+) and permanently disabled residents may qualify for a 50% discount on the water meter base fee and a 33% discount on the 32-gallon garbage cart.
Brown Bin (Trash)
All non-recyclable, non-organic refuse goes into the brown cart. Do not overload the bin; the lid must be completely closed to avoid an overage fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- ✓Plastic wrap and film
- ✓Waxed cardboard
- ✓Treated or painted wood
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty, clean, and placed loosely in the blue cart. Never bundle your recyclables in plastic bags, as they jam the processing machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Unwaxed cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Clean paper, newspaper, and junk mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Clothing or textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Only use newspaper or standard brown paper bags to hold food scraps. Do not use plastic bags or even BPI-certified compostable plastics in the green cart, as they contaminate the compost.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy)
- ✓Coffee grounds and tea bags
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, paper towels)
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and flower trimmings
- ✓Untreated wood and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by request (Fee applies).
Placement
Do not place items on the curb until your scheduled pickup date. Items must be safely accessible for the collection crew without blocking the street or sidewalk.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture (couches, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Water heaters and large appliances
- ✓ Excess bagged garbage (when scheduled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or heavy construction debris
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
Fees vary based on the size and type of the item being collected. Calling to arrange payment and scheduling is mandatory to avoid illegal dumping citations.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Brentwood generally observes major winter holidays. When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week are typically pushed back by one day (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly recycling and organics collections follow the exact same holiday shift schedule as the standard garbage routes.
Always check the official City Calendar or call (925) 516-6090 to verify schedule shifts around minor holidays like Labor Day or Memorial Day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn/Winter
October to JanuaryTo prevent street flooding and clogged storm drains, the City provides free leaf bags to residents during the heavy fall drop. Collect these bags to safely dispose of excess yard waste.
Post-Holiday
Late December to JanuaryThe Solid Waste Division typically offers a curbside Christmas tree collection. Live trees must be completely stripped of lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands before being placed at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Zonal Waste Collection System and Alternating Schedules
In Brentwood, residential waste collection operates on a highly organized zonal system divided into the Yellow Zone, which covers the Northside, and the Red Zone, covering the Southside. While standard household garbage is collected every single week for all residents, recycling and organic green waste operate on an alternating bi-weekly schedule. Depending on whether you reside in the Yellow or Red territory, your recycling and compost pickup weeks will be completely opposite from one another. To determine your exact service days without guessing, residents should utilize the interactive Address Lookup Tool available directly on the City of Brentwood's official Public Works web page.
Mandatory Curbside Cart Placement Guidelines
To guarantee reliable and safe service, Brentwood's Solid Waste Division requires homeowners to place their carts out either the night before their scheduled pickup or no later than 5:00 a.m. on collection morning. Because the city utilizes automated trucks, precise placement is essential. You must position the wheels tight against the curb with the lid opening facing the street. Spacing is extremely important; leave a minimum of three feet of distance between each cart, and ensure they are placed at least six feet away from parked vehicles, mailboxes, or portable basketball hoops. Additionally, any tree branches hanging above the bins must be trimmed to maintain a 15-foot vertical clearance, preventing damage to the truck's mechanical lifting arms.
Overloaded Bins and Contamination Policies
The City of Brentwood closely monitors cart contents to prevent recycling contamination and neighborhood litter. All container lids must be completely closed so that contents can fall freely when inverted by the truck. If your carts are overflowing or have the lids popped wide open, the city may legally decline to empty them due to the high risk of spilling debris onto the street. When sorting items, ensure only clean paper, cardboard, plastics, and glass go into the blue bin, while food scraps and yard trimmings belong strictly in the organics container. Contaminated carts or those requiring a special return trip for missed service due to improper placement will incur an additional municipal penalty fee.
Holiday Service Delays and Bulky Item Pickups
Brentwood's regular waste collection calendar may experience brief interruptions during major recognized winter holidays, specifically Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If your normal pickup falls on or immediately after one of these holidays, your curbside service will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of the week, with standard routing resuming the following Monday. Beyond weekly cart pickups, residents needing to dispose of large items like old appliances, worn-out furniture, or excessive yard debris can contact the Solid Waste Division directly at (925) 516-6090. Through this office, you can arrange for specialized bulky item collections or schedule temporary debris box rentals for home renovation projects.
Drop-off Facilities
Brentwood Transfer Station & Cardboard Drop-off
2300 Elkins Way, Brentwood, CA 94513
Materials Accepted
Delta Diablo Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Hwy, Pittsburg, CA 94565
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my carts out in Brentwood?
The City requires all garbage, recycling, and organic waste carts to be placed at the curb by 5:00 A.M. on your designated service day, or the night before. Ensure the wheels are against the curb and the lid opening faces the street.
Can I use compostable bags for my food scraps?
No. The City of Brentwood strictly prohibits both regular plastic bags and BPI-certified compostable bags in the green organics cart. If you want to line your kitchen pail, you must use newspaper or a standard brown paper bag.
How do I get rid of moving boxes in Brentwood?
If they don't fit in your blue recycling cart, you can take flattened, unsoiled cardboard boxes to the City's free 'Cardboard Only' drop-off site at 2300 Elkins Way. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Does Brentwood offer a free curbside bulky item pickup?
No. Unlike some other cities, Brentwood does not offer free automated bulky waste cleanups. You must contact the Solid Waste Division at (925) 516-6090 to schedule a special pickup for items like furniture or appliances, and a fee will apply.