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
!Contamination Tips
Ban on 'Compostable' Plastics
Do not put any plastic bags, cups, or utensils into the green organics cart, even if they are heavily marketed as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'. Hayward's regional composting facilities cannot break these materials down fast enough, and they will be treated as contamination.
No Plastic Bags in the Blue Bin
The number one cause of machinery jams at the Tri-CED recycling center is plastic bags. Never bag your recyclables, and never throw loose grocery bags or shrink wrap into the blue cart. Take plastic bags to a grocery store drop-off or put them in the gray trash cart.
Close Your Lids Completely
Overfilled carts are considered a contamination hazard in Hayward because loose debris can blow into the streets and storm drains. If your cart lid is propped open by excess waste, you may receive a warning tag or an automatic overage surcharge on your next bill.
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.
About Hayward Waste Management
Hayward's Unique Dual-Hauler System
Unlike many municipalities that rely on a single contractor for all waste streams, Hayward utilizes a dual-franchise approach. Waste Management (WM) oversees the collection of residential garbage and organic waste (compost), while Tri-CED Community Recycling—a local non-profit organization—handles all curbside blue bin recycling. This collaborative model ensures specialized attention to zero-waste diversion goals across Alameda County.
Strict SB 1383 Compliance and Surcharges
In direct response to California's SB 1383, Hayward mandates that all residents sort food scraps and yard waste into the green organics cart. Waste Management actively audits curbside carts to enforce this state law. If drivers repeatedly find food waste in the gray trash bin, or non-compostable items in the green bin, residents receive two warnings. Subsequent violations result in automatic contamination surcharges added directly to their billing accounts.
Lottie Sortwell: Hayward's AI Waste Assistant
To help residents navigate the complexities of local recycling rules, the City of Hayward introduced 'Lottie Sortwell', a dedicated AI chatbot. Residents can text or message Lottie online 24/7 to ask specific questions about how to dispose of confusing items. Whether it's an old toaster or greasy pizza boxes, Lottie provides instant, Hayward-specific sorting guidance to help residents avoid contamination fines.
Annual Self-Haul Disposal Coupons
In addition to standard curbside bulky item pickups, Hayward offers a unique 'Self-Haul' perk. Every residential household is eligible to receive one free disposal coupon per calendar year. This voucher allows residents to self-haul up to two cubic yards of trash, yard trimmings, or bulky debris directly to the Davis Street Resource Recovery Complex in San Leandro without paying the standard gate fees.
Strict Cart Placement and Overage Rules
Proper cart placement is critical for the automated trucks operated by WM and Tri-CED. Bins must be placed with wheels against the curb by 6:00 a.m., keeping them at least three feet away from parked cars, mailboxes, and each other. Furthermore, all lids must close completely. If a cart is overfilled and the lid props open, Waste Management may skip the collection or apply an overage surcharge.
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.