Grey/Black Bin (Trash)
All non-recyclable and non-compostable household debris should go here. Ensure all cooled ashes are placed in a sealed container before throwing them away.
Accepted Items
- ✓Compostable plastics and bioplastics
- ✓Diapers and feminine products
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts and meat trays
- ✓Cat litter and pet waste
- ✓Disposable masks and gloves
- ✓Aseptic containers
- ✓Textiles and leather
- ✓Ashes and coals (cooled and sealed)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry before placing them loosely in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓All plastic containers
- ✓Clean, dry plastic bags and film (bagged together)
- ✓Empty aerosol cans
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and bi-metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Books, mixed paper, and envelopes
- ✓Flattened cardboard (no larger than 3ft x 3ft)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Chemicals and paints
- ✕Garden hoses
- ✕Textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Collect food scraps in newspaper, paper bags, or BPI-certified compostable bags before placing them in the green organics cart. Ensure the cart lid can close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood scraps
- ✓Dairy products (no liquids)
- ✓Eggshells and coffee grounds
- ✓Branches, brush, and leaves
- ✓Grasses, weeds, and floral trimmings
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, uncoated takeout containers)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free on-call collections per calendar year.
Placement
Call (408) 725-4020 to schedule your appointment in advance, and place eligible materials at the curb on the designated collection morning.
Accepted
- ✓ Normal household garbage and bulky goods
- ✓ Yard waste and clean wood waste
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Products containing toxic chemicals
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete, and asphalt
- ✕ Hot ashes
- ✕ Treated wood
Additional pick-ups beyond the two free annual collections, or items exceeding standard size restrictions, will incur an extra service fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Recology South Bay operates regularly on all holidays except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your regular collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash and recycling.
For all other holidays not listed (such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day), please place your bins out for service on your normal scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Empty, Clean, and Dry
Make sure all aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and glass jars are completely free of food residue and liquids before tossing them into your blue recycling cart.
Compostable Plastics Go in the Trash
Despite what the label says, bioplastics and 'compostable' utensils do not break down in local commercial composting facilities and must be placed in the grey landfill cart.
Batteries Are a Fire Hazard
Never place household or lithium-ion batteries inside any curbside bin. They must be placed inside a tightly sealed clear plastic bag and left on top of the recycling cart on collection day.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryCut bare holiday trees to 5 feet or less and place smaller pieces inside your organics cart with the lid closed, or place the trimmed tree directly roadside on your normal collection day.
Fall
October to NovemberHelp keep local storm drains clear during the rainy season by ensuring all fallen autumn leaves are swept up and placed securely inside your green compost cart, rather than blowing them into the street.
About Cupertino Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management in Cupertino, CA
Cupertino's residential waste collection is efficiently handled by Recology South Bay, ensuring that the local community stays clean and environmentally conscious. With a strong focus on sustainable disposal, the city leverages a standard three-cart system designed to reduce landfill impact by heavily prioritizing both recycling and organics composting.
Understanding Your Recology South Bay Service
Navigating the collection system in Cupertino means correctly utilizing your landfill, recycling, and compost carts. Recology expects all recyclable containers to be entirely empty, clean, and dry before they are placed in the blue cart. A single contaminated item, like a greasy pizza box placed in the recycling instead of the compost bin, can disrupt the advanced sorting process at local materials recovery facilities.
Taking Advantage of Free Bulky Item Pickups
To help residents manage large household debris, each Cupertino home is entitled to two free on-call bulky item collections per calendar year through Recology. This is the perfect opportunity to responsibly dispose of old furniture, appliances, or oversized yard waste without having to haul it to a transfer station yourself. Simply call their customer service office in advance to schedule your curbside pickup.
Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste
Toxic items like lithium batteries, exterior paints, and fluorescent bulbs are strictly prohibited from all curbside carts because they pose a severe safety hazard. The City of Cupertino collaborates with the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program, allowing residents to safely drop off these dangerous materials by appointment, protecting the local water supply from harmful chemical runoff.
Composting Perks for Cupertino Residents
Did you know that your sorted yard waste and food scraps directly benefit the local area? Beyond regular organics cart collection, Cupertino residents have the unique perk of picking up free compost and mulch year-round at the nearby SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale, completing the green waste recycling loop right in their own backyard.
Drop-off Facilities
SMaRT Station Recycling Center
301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Materials Accepted
Santa Clara County HHW Drop-off Facility
Multiple locations; schedule via hhw.org or call (408) 299-7300
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with food-soiled paper products in Cupertino?
Food-soiled paper products, such as greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, and uncoated paper take-out containers, should be placed in your green organics (compost) cart, not in your blue recycling or grey trash carts.
How do I dispose of old household batteries safely?
Place household batteries inside a tightly sealed plastic bag and set them on top of your blue recycling cart on your normal collection day. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment to take them to a designated Santa Clara County HHW drop-off site.
Can I put styrofoam packing peanuts in my blue recycling bin?
No. Styrofoam (EPS) packing peanuts, meat trays, and similar foam packaging materials are not accepted in Cupertino's recycling program. They must be placed in your grey landfill cart.
Does Recology pick up trash on major holidays in Cupertino?
Recology South Bay collects on most standard holidays. The only exceptions are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. During the weeks of those three holidays, service is pushed back by one day if your collection day falls on or after the holiday.