Black Bin (Trash)
Place carts curbside by 6:00 A.M. on your collection day with lids completely closed. Do not overload the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Wax-lined paper [1.1.2]
- ✓Toothpaste and ointment tubes
- ✓Rubber bands, straws, and gloves
- ✓Ceramics, eyeglasses, and mirrors
- ✓Dirt and bagged pet waste
- ✓Poison oak (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Extra cardboard must be cut down, flattened, bundled, and placed next to your recycling cart; the bundle must be small enough to fit inside the cart once emptied.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and dry paper and cardboard [1.2.2]
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rinsed cans and clean aluminum foil
- ✓Plastic beverage bottles and food containers
- ✓Film plastic (bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrap)
- ✓Household batteries (must be in a clear, sealed bag placed ON TOP of the cart)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled materials [1.2.2]
- ✕Liquids or oils
- ✕Large electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Do not include plastics, glass, or pet waste. Organics must be placed in the designated green (or legacy brown) cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Yard waste (lawn cuttings, leaves, twigs, succulents) [1.1.2]
- ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, pasta, eggs, dough)
- ✓Soiled paper (coffee filters, pizza boxes, paper straws)
- ✓Compostable takeout containers
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to three (3) free scheduled pickups per calendar year for single-family homes (Multi-family properties receive one free pickup per unit per year).
Placement
Participants must contact WVC&R at (408) 283-9250 to schedule the collection before placing any items on the curb. Label materials as reusable, recyclable, or landfill.
Accepted
- ✓ Up to 2 appliances (not to exceed 150 lbs) [1.3.3]
- ✓ 1 e-waste item (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Bagged or boxed reusable/landfill items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items exceeding 150 pounds [1.3.3]
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Large amounts of construction and demolition debris
Additional bulky cleanups beyond the three free annual appointments can be scheduled for an additional charge. Temporary roll-off boxes are also available to rent for larger projects.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday, collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. For example, Thursday service moves to Friday, and Friday service moves to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics are collected on the same delayed schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
Holidays on weekends generally do not affect the collection schedule. Always place all bins curbside by 6:00 A.M. on the adjusted service day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bagging Household Batteries Correctly [2.1.1]
While most recyclables must go directly inside the blue cart loosely, household batteries are a strict exception. To prevent dangerous truck fires, batteries must be placed inside a clear, sealed plastic bag and rested specifically on top of the blue recycling cart lid for the driver to hand-collect.
Poison Oak Goes in the Trash
Although it is technically a plant, poison oak should never go in your green organics cart where it could contaminate compost and harm facility workers. WVC&R specifically requires you to bag poison oak and place it securely in the black landfill cart.
Clean Recyclables Protect the Paper Stream
It isn't enough to just keep food scraps out of the blue bin. You must thoroughly scrape and wipe clean any recyclable plastic or glass containers before tossing them in, ensuring no leftover food oils ruin the clean paper and cardboard materials sharing the cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter [2.4.2]
December - JanuaryDuring post-holiday tree collection, place your bare tree at the curb on your usual collection day, not inside your yard waste cart. Trees over 6 feet must be cut in half, and all decorations and stands must be removed. Unusually, flocked trees are acceptable in Campbell.
Spring/Fall
March - NovemberDuring peak yard maintenance seasons, keep low-hanging branches above the curbed area trimmed back so the monthly street sweeper has full access to the curb, preventing storm drain blockages and localized ponding during rainy months.
Year-Round
January - DecemberSince replacing the fixed Annual Cleanup Program in early 2024, residents can now schedule their three allotted free bulky cleanups per year on-demand, making it much easier to clear out seasonal garage clutter on your own timeline.
About Campbell Waste Management
Campbell's Exclusive Partnership with West Valley Collection and Recycling [1.1.2]
Residential and commercial waste services in the City of Campbell are administered through a joint powers authority known as the West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority. Through this organization, the city maintains an exclusive franchise agreement with West Valley Collection and Recycling, LLC (WVC&R). This private hauler handles all weekly garbage, recycling, and organic waste collection, providing a unified three-cart system designed to help local neighborhoods seamlessly reach California's strict waste diversion goals.
Integrating Food Scraps into Your Green Organics Cart
In compliance with California Senate Bill 1383, Campbell's waste program has transformed the traditional yard trimmings bin into a comprehensive organics cart. Residents must now deposit all food scraps—including meat, bones, pasta, dough, and vegetables—along with food-soiled paper like coffee filters and pizza boxes directly into their green (or legacy brown) organics cart. This critical step dramatically reduces the methane gas emissions produced when organic matter breaks down in local Santa Clara County landfills.
The Upgraded On-Call Bulky Cleanup Program for Residents
As of March 1, 2024, Campbell revolutionized how residents dispose of large household items by replacing the traditional Annual Cleanup Program with a flexible, On-Call Bulky Cleanup Program. Single-family households are now entitled to schedule up to three free curbside collections per calendar year at their convenience. Each pickup allows for three cubic yards of boxed or bagged materials and up to three large items, providing an incredibly convenient way to discard broken appliances and e-waste without driving to the landfill.
Coordinating Street Sweeping with Your Cart Placement
Campbell takes neighborhood cleanliness seriously, operating a robust street sweeping schedule to mitigate storm drain blockages and localized ponding. Because residential streets are swept on designated days each month, it is crucial to place your WVC&R carts exactly at the curb with enough clearance for the mechanical sweeper to pass. Ensuring your cars and bins aren't blocking the gutter allows the city to remove debris efficiently, keeping the West Valley watershed free of pollutants.
Drop-off Facilities
Guadalupe Landfill [2.4.2]
15999 Guadalupe Mines Road, San Jose, CA 95120
Materials Accepted
Zanker Road Landfill / Zanker Recycling
705 Los Esteros Road, San Jose, CA 95134
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How has the Bulky Cleanup Program changed recently?
Starting March 1, 2024, the city replaced the traditional Annual Cleanup Program with an On-Call Bulky Cleanup Program. Single-family residents can now schedule up to three free customized pickups per calendar year, each allowing for up to 3 cubic yards of material and 3 large items, instead of waiting for a citywide sweep.
Where should I dispose of film plastics and plastic bags?
Unlike many municipalities, WVC&R specifically accepts clean film plastics—including bread bags, bubble wrap, and plastic wrap—in your blue recycling cart. Make sure these items are entirely free of food residue before tossing them in.
Can I throw poison oak from my garden into the green organics bin?
No. Poison oak cannot be composted safely with standard yard waste. It must be carefully placed into a secure bag and tossed directly into your black landfill cart to protect both the composting facility workers and the final soil product.