Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hayward
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and organics are hauled by Waste Management while recycling is picked up by Tri-CED, with all residential services billed quarterly directly through Waste Management.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
The City offers rate discounts for low-income residents and free side-yard collection for disabled residents or seniors aged 65 and older.
Dark Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
All landfill garbage must be bagged and placed inside the gray cart. The lid must close completely to avoid overage surcharges. No hazardous waste or liquids are permitted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers and feminine hygiene products
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) and packing peanuts
- ✓Snack wrappers, chip bags, and candy wrappers
- ✓Plastic bags, plastic film, and Saran wrap
- ✓Heavily treated or painted wood (small pieces)
- ✓Broken ceramics and drinking glasses
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Blue bin collection is managed by Tri-CED. Keep all recyclables loose, clean, and dry. Never place recyclables inside plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (keep lids on)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors, labels are okay)
- ✓Aluminum and tin/steel cans (empty and clean)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or plastic film of any kind
- ✕Food waste, liquids, or greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam and foam cups
- ✕Batteries, electronics, and cords
- ✕Diapers and pet waste
- ✕Textiles or clothing
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' plastic bags. Collect indoor food scraps in a reusable container or standard paper bag, then empty it into the green cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, fruit, vegetables, shells)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (greasy pizza boxes, used paper napkins, coffee filters)
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, weeds, and plant trimmings
- ✓Small tree branches (under 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free curbside pickups per calendar year for residential households (1-4 units).
Placement
Place items curbside no more than 6 feet from the curb. Do not place items out earlier than the day before your scheduled appointment to prevent illegal dumping.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (up to 2)
- ✓ Large household appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Televisions, monitors, and computers (e-waste)
- ✓ Rolled and securely tied carpet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials (paint, motor oil, solvents)
- ✕ Construction or demolition debris
- ✕ Rocks, bricks, dirt, or concrete
- ✕ Any single item weighing over 75 lbs (except standard furniture/appliances)
- ✕ Medical waste
If your bulky waste exceeds the strict volume limits (e.g., more than 2 cubic yards of loose trash or more than 3 furniture items), you will be charged additional volume fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, service for that day and all subsequent days that week will be delayed by one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday). If the holiday falls on a weekend, there are no delays.
Yard Waste Exception
Both WM (Trash/Organics) and Tri-CED (Recycling) observe the same holiday delay schedule to maintain simultaneous cart collections.
Appointments for Bulky Item Collection are suspended and unavailable during the first two weeks of January to accommodate the high volume of holiday waste and Christmas tree collection.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter/Holidays
December to JanuaryWM offers free curbside holiday tree collection for four weeks following December 25th. Trees must be cut into lengths no longer than 4 feet, with all stands, lights, and ornaments removed. Flocked (fake snow) trees cannot be composted and must be placed in the gray landfill cart.
Fall
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, ensure all yard trimmings fit securely inside your green cart. If you have excess yard waste, you can request a larger 96-gallon organics cart from WM at no additional charge.
Spring
March to MayIf you are doing spring cleaning, utilize your annual Self-Haul Disposal Coupon or schedule one of your two free bulky item pickups rather than overflowing your standard curbside carts.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Refuse and Recycling Providers in Hayward
In the City of Hayward, keeping neighborhoods clean is a collaborative effort. Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) handles the landfill garbage and organics collection, while Tri-CED Community Recycling manages the local recycling program. Together, they service single-family homes and multi-family units across the municipality. Residents are required to have their color-coded carts positioned at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on their designated collection day. Making sure your containers are easily accessible is essential, so leave at least two feet of clearance between each bin and ensure the wheels are resting squarely against the curb.
Strict Cart Regulations and Potential Surcharges
Hayward enforces strict contamination and capacity rules to support California's environmental goals. Your cart lids must be completely closed when placed on the street. If you overload your garbage container, you might be hit with a $10.00 surcharge after receiving initial warnings. Similarly, placing prohibited materials into your blue recycling or green compost carts can trigger a $25.00 contamination penalty. To avoid these fees, take the time to sort properly. For senior citizens over the age of 65 or disabled individuals without able-bodied adults in the home, Hayward offers a free side-yard collection service to make waste disposal significantly easier.
Disposing of E-Waste, Batteries, and Motor Oil
Disposing of hazardous household items doesn't require a trip to a specialized facility if you follow the right steps. Hayward residents can recycle used motor oil, oil filters, and batteries directly at the curb. Simply request approved screw-top gallon jugs and heavy-duty bags from Tri-CED. Once filled, set the oil next to your recycling cart and place the zip-top bag of batteries or old cell phones directly on top of the blue bin's lid. During the first two weeks of January, the city also provides free curbside pickup for clean, unflocked holiday trees cut to under five feet.
Bulky Waste Solutions and Transfer Station Coupons
Rather than offering traditional curbside bulky item pickups for large furniture, Hayward gives every household an alternative solution. Residents are entitled to request one free self-hauling coupon per year, which allows you to transport up to two cubic yards of garbage directly to the Davis Street Transfer Station in San Leandro. If you generate more waste than usual during a home cleanout, this annual perk saves substantial dump fees. In the event of missed pickups or to request your transfer station voucher, contacting the WMAC customer service team directly is the most efficient route.
Drop-off Facilities
Davis Street Resource Recovery Complex (Transfer Station)
2615 Davis Street, San Leandro, CA 94577
Materials Accepted
Hayward Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
2091 West Winton Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Hayward?
Residents in single-family homes or buildings with up to four units get two free bulky item pickups per calendar year. You can include up to 3 pieces of furniture and 2 mattresses per pickup. Call Waste Management at (510) 537-5500 to schedule your appointment.
Can I use compostable plastic bags for my food waste in Hayward?
No. Even if a plastic bag is certified as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable', it cannot be placed in the green organics cart. Local composting facilities cannot break them down quickly enough. You must use standard paper bags or dump food scraps directly into the bin.
What is the Hayward Self-Haul Disposal Coupon?
Hayward provides each eligible household with one free disposal coupon per year. This allows you to haul up to two cubic yards of household garbage or yard trimmings directly to the Davis Street Transfer Station in San Leandro without paying the standard disposal fee. Call WM to request your coupon.
Why do two different trucks pick up my trash and recycling?
Hayward operates a unique dual-franchise system. Waste Management (WM) is contracted to collect your gray trash and green organics carts, while Tri-CED Community Recycling, a local non-profit, exclusively handles the collection and processing of your blue recycling cart.