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
!Contamination Tips
Say No to 'Compostable' Plastics
Brentwood's organics processing facility does not accept BPI-certified compostable plastic bags or bioplastics. If you need to line your kitchen pail, use an old newspaper or a standard paper bag.
Maintain the 3-Foot Clearance Rule
The automated mechanical arms on the collection trucks need room to operate safely. Ensure your carts are placed at least 3 feet away from each other, parked cars, mailboxes, and basketball hoops.
Keep Styrofoam in the Brown Cart
Despite often having a recycling symbol stamped on the bottom, Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is not accepted in Brentwood's blue recycling carts and will trigger a contamination tag.
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.
About Brentwood Waste Management
Navigating Brentwood's Zone-Based Automated Collection
The City of Brentwood's Solid Waste Division manages all residential waste services using a specialized zone system. Neighborhoods are divided into the Yellow Zone (Northside) and Red Zone (Southside). While the brown garbage carts are serviced every single week, the blue recycling and green organics carts operate on an alternating every-other-week schedule. To ensure service, residents must roll their carts to the curb by 5:00 A.M. on their scheduled day, making sure the wheels touch the curb and the lids are completely closed.
Adapting to the SB 1383 Organics Mandate
In compliance with California’s SB 1383 law to reduce methane emissions, Brentwood residents are now required to recycle all organic waste. The green cart is no longer just for yard trimmings—it is the mandatory destination for all food scraps (including meat and dairy) and food-soiled paper products like pizza boxes. To help ease the transition, the City provides free organics countertop kitchen pails, which can be picked up at locations like City Hall, the Corporation Yard, or the Brentwood Library.
Tackling Excess Cardboard with the Free Drop-Off
If the holidays or a recent move have left you buried in shipping boxes, you don't have to wait for your bi-weekly blue cart pickup. Brentwood offers a highly convenient, free 'Cardboard Only' drop-off site located at 2300 Elkins Way (off Sunset Road). Open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., residents can dispose of flattened, unsoiled cardboard. Be sure not to mix in any styrofoam, plastic wrap, or regular garbage, as the site is continuously monitored by security cameras.
Scheduling Extra Pickups and Bulky Waste
Unlike some neighboring cities that offer automated free curbside cleanups, Brentwood handles bulky waste strictly on an on-demand, fee-based system. If you have an old mattress, water heater, or large piece of furniture that won't fit inside your brown cart, you must call the Solid Waste Division at (925) 516-6090 to arrange a special pickup. Furthermore, if your standard carts are constantly overflowing to the point where the lid won't shut, the city will charge an extra fee if a truck has to return to complete the service.
Safe Disposal Events with Delta Diablo
Toxic chemicals, wet paint, and electronic waste are strictly forbidden in your curbside carts. Brentwood partners with the Delta Diablo sanitation district to provide residents with safe Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal. While the main, year-round HHW facility is located in nearby Pittsburg, Brentwood hosts a massive local drop-off event once a year—typically the second Saturday of October—right at the Brentwood Transfer Station on Elkins Way.
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.