Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hollister
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside solid waste, recycling, and organics services are provided by Recology San Benito County, while city water and sewer utilities are billed directly by the City of Hollister.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income reduced rates are available for eligible households enrolled in PG&E's CARE/Lifeline or AT&T Lifeline programs.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the gray cart with the lid fully closed. For occasional excess garbage, you must call Recology at least one business day prior to your service day (additional fees apply).
Accepted Items
- ✓Styrofoam packaging and peanuts
- ✓Ceramics, mirrors, and window glass
- ✓Diapers and bagged pet waste
- ✓Snack wrappers and juice pouches
- ✓Broken toys and clothes hangers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All containers must be empty and scraped clean. Place items loosely in the blue cart, except for permitted plastic bags which must be bundled together inside a single clear bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, cardboard, and junk mail
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Plastic containers (no Styrofoam)
- ✓Bundled plastic bags (stuffed in one clear bag)
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Ceramics and lightbulbs
- ✕Cords, chains, and automotive parts
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put any organics in regular plastic bags. Collect food waste loosely, wrapped in newspaper, in brown paper bags, or in BPI-approved compostable bags only.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, fruits, veggies)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, paper towels)
- ✓Yard waste (flowers, leaves, grass)
- ✓Branches, unpainted, and untreated wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free pickups per year
Placement
Place your approved bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. If you need to cancel, you must notify Recology at least one business day prior to avoid forfeiting a pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Up to 2 cubic yards of reusable materials
- ✓ Up to 5 E-waste items (computers, TVs)
- ✓ Up to 2 large appliances or bulky items
- ✓ Mattresses and furniture
- ✓ Appliances containing Freon (counts as 2 bulky items)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, paint, motor oil)
- ✕ Dirt, rock, sod, and concrete
- ✕ Loose trash that easily fits in the gray cart
- ✕ Large-scale construction debris
If you exceed the 2 free collections per year, or if you exceed the item limits per pickup, you may request additional collections for an extra fee. Your account must be current to participate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Recology operates regularly on all holidays except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your service will be delayed by one day for the rest of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The blue recycling cart and green organics cart follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the gray garbage cart.
Pick-up times may vary, especially around holidays or due to route changes. Always ensure your carts are at the curb by 6:00 a.m. or the night before.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MayRecology offers Free Compost Giveaway Days three times per year for Hollister and San Benito County residents to support spring planting, backyard landscaping, and local gardens.
Summer
June - AugustIn the warm summer months, food waste in your green cart can cause strong odors and attract pests. Keep your cart fresh by storing food scraps in a container in the refrigerator or freezer until your scheduled service day.
Year-Round
January - DecemberIf you change your own motor oil, you can request special one-gallon jugs and filter bags from Recology. They will pick up to three gallons of used oil and three filters per week right from your curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste Collection Services in Hollister
For residents of Hollister, residential solid waste, recycling, and organics services are managed by Recology San Benito County. The city utilizes a fully automated collection system to efficiently empty household bins using specialized mechanical arms. To ensure smooth and consistent pickups, all carts must be placed on the street with the wheels resting against the curb. It is vital to provide adequate clearance between each container so the automated trucks can safely maneuver without knocking anything over. If you regularly have more refuse than your current cart holds, Recology offers multiple garbage bin sizes ranging from a compact 10-gallon size up to a large 96-gallon cart to accommodate different household needs.
Sorting Guidelines for Recycling and Organics
Meeting California's environmental targets requires careful sorting by every Hollister household. Your blue recycling cart is meant for loose items like clean paper, flattened cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. Never bag your recyclables, as plastic bags jam the sorting machinery. For your green organics cart, state law dictates that all yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper must go inside. This includes coffee grounds, fruit peels, and grass clippings. Please note that traditional plastic bags are strictly prohibited in the organics bin; however, approved compostable bags are permitted if you prefer to contain your kitchen scraps.
Disposing of E-Waste and Large Bulky Items
Discarding electronic waste, such as old televisions, computers, fluorescent tubes, or household batteries, in your standard trash cart is illegal and poses a severe fire hazard. Hollister residents can utilize Recology’s designated drop-off programs to ensure these hazardous materials are processed safely. Additionally, if you have large furniture, broken appliances, or excessive debris that will not fit into your standard curbside bins, you can coordinate a special bulky item collection. Reaching out to the Recology customer service office in advance is required to schedule a heavy item removal.
Hollister Holiday Trash Delay Schedule
Recology operates on a continuous schedule for most of the year, but there are three specific holidays that affect service in Hollister: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your normal collection day falls on or after one of these major holidays, your service will be delayed by one single day for the remainder of that week. For example, during Thanksgiving week, Thursday routes are collected on Friday, and Friday routes move to Saturday. On all other holidays, including Memorial Day and Labor Day, the trucks run exactly on their normal schedule.
Drop-off Facilities
John Smith Road Landfill
2650 John Smith Road, Hollister, CA 95023
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule my free bulky item pickup in Hollister?
Hollister residents are eligible for two free curbside bulky item pickups per year. You can schedule your pickup by calling Recology San Benito County Customer Service at (831) 636-7500. Items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your confirmed date.
Can I use plastic bags for food waste in my green organics cart?
No. Standard plastic bags do not break down in the composting process and are strictly prohibited in the green cart. You must use BPI-certified compostable bags, brown paper bags, or newspaper to line your kitchen compost pail.
What should I do if I have extra garbage that won't fit in my gray cart?
If your gray garbage cart is overflowing, do not leave loose bags on the curb, as the automated trucks cannot pick them up. You must call Recology at least one business day before your service day to arrange for an occasional excess garbage collection, which will incur an additional fee.
Does Recology delay trash pickup on Memorial Day or Labor Day?
No. Recology San Benito County only observes three holidays throughout the year: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. On all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, your trash will be collected on its normally scheduled day.