Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hercules
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash, recycling, and organic waste services are contracted and billed directly through Republic Services rather than on your municipal property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounts may be available for eligible low-income residents enrolled in utility assistance programs (such as PG&E CARE) and seniors in designated senior housing.
Black Bin (Trash)
Place cart at the curb with the lid fully closed. Batteries and hazardous materials must never be placed in the trash cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Animal waste and cat litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Shelf-stable cartons and drink pouches
- ✓Styrofoam/Foam plastic
- ✓Palm fronds and ivy
- ✓Plastic utensils and straws
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable containers must be empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag your recyclables; leave them loose in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty plastic containers (caps on)
- ✓Clean aluminum foil (crumpled in a ball)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Clean paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Pouches or poly-coated cartons
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Materials must fit in the cart with the lid closed. Do not include palm fronds, ivy, or standard plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy)
- ✓Plant debris and weeds
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✓BPI Certified compostable bags
- ✓Untreated wood scraps
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free on-call clean-ups per calendar year
Placement
Schedule your pickup by calling 510-262-7100. Place items curbside on the confirmed day; bags must weigh less than 50 lbs each.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables)
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Mattresses (wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Electronic waste
- ✓ Up to 15 bags of yard waste or regular trash
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, and concrete
The first two pickups per year are completely free. Additional pickups or items beyond the limit will incur extra fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday - Friday), your collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Recycling and organics collection follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard garbage.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays and your curbside pickup will occur on its normal scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Christmas trees can be recycled in your Green organics cart. You must remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands, and cut the tree into pieces so that it fits completely inside the cart with the lid closed.
Year-Round
MonthlyHercules residents can take advantage of the West County Resource Recovery Facility (WCRR) Compost Give-Away Program on the first Wednesday of each month in Richmond to grab free, nutrient-rich compost for their seasonal gardens.
Local Tips & Community Info
Hercules Trash & Recycling Managed by Republic Services
Residents in the City of Hercules rely on Republic Services as the franchised waste hauler for all residential and commercial garbage needs. Partnering with RecycleMore, the city ensures sustainable waste reduction and resource conservation. Whether you are moving into a new home or managing a business, you can quickly set up your weekly trash, recycling, and organics collection by contacting the local Republic Services office.
Curbside Pickup Schedule and Bin Placement
To ensure a smooth collection day, Hercules residents should place their designated waste carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled pickup day. Make sure all items fit inside the bins with the lids completely closed. Keep your containers at least three feet apart from one another and away from parked cars, mailboxes, and trees to allow the automated mechanical arms on the collection trucks to operate safely.
Organics and Yard Waste Disposal
California state laws require proper organics recycling, and Hercules makes it easy with its green cart program. Residents and businesses can dispose of food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard debris directly into their organics bin. Keeping these compostable materials out of the landfill significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps create nutrient-rich compost. If you need a larger bin or an extra pickup for heavy seasonal yard waste, contact customer support for arrangements.
Bulk Item Pickup and Clean-up Services
Getting rid of large furniture, old appliances, or electronic waste is straightforward in Hercules. Republic Services offers convenient residential bulky household item pick-ups. You can schedule an on-call clean-up by calling customer service at (510) 262-7100. Be sure to request this service at least one week in advance of your regular collection day. Note that construction debris and hazardous materials are not accepted during standard bulk collections.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
Toxic items like batteries, motor oil, paint, and electronic waste must never be thrown into your standard curbside carts. These items pose serious fire risks and endanger community workers. Hercules residents have free access to the local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility located at 101 Pittsburg Ave in nearby Richmond. Gather your harmful chemicals safely and drop them off during their regular operating hours to protect the local environment.
Holiday Schedule and Service Delays
Republic Services observes five major holidays each year: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If any of these holidays fall on a weekday (Monday through Friday), your scheduled garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one single day for the remainder of that week. If the holiday lands on a weekend, your standard service schedule will not be interrupted.
Drop-off Facilities
West Contra Costa HHW Facility & Buy Back Center
101 Pittsburg Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
Materials Accepted
Golden Bear Transfer Station
1 Parr Blvd, Richmond, CA 94801
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my garbage was missed on collection day?
If your trash, recycling, or organics cart was not emptied, you should contact Republic Services customer support directly at (510) 262-7100 to report the missed pickup and schedule a recovery collection.
How do I dispose of a mattress or old refrigerator?
You can schedule a bulky item pick-up by calling Republic Services at least one week in advance. They will arrange to collect large items like mattresses, furniture, and major appliances right from your curb.
Where can I securely throw away old batteries?
Batteries should never go in your curbside bins. You must take them to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at 101 Pittsburg Ave in Richmond for safe and proper disposal.