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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Palm and Poison Oak Out of the Green Cart
Palm fronds and poison oak cannot be safely or efficiently processed by the local composting facilities. They are strictly prohibited from the green organics cart.
No Cords, Chains, or Hangers in the Blue Cart
Metal chains, plastic cords, and clothes hangers are considered 'tanglers.' They will wrap around the gears of the recycling facility's sorting equipment. Throw broken hangers and cords in the gray garbage cart.
Bundle Your Plastic Bags
While many cities ban them entirely, Hollister allows plastic grocery and dry cleaning bags in the recycling bin—but only if you stuff them all into one clear plastic bag and tie it shut. Never leave them loose.
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.
About Hollister Waste Management
Meeting San Benito County’s Environmental Goals
Recology San Benito County provides comprehensive solid waste and organics collection for the City of Hollister. Under California's stringent SB 1383 legislation, Hollister strictly enforces organics recycling. All households are required to sort their organic food scraps—including meat, dairy, and food-soiled paper—along with their yard waste into the provided 96-gallon green cart. Diverting this material from local landfills is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
How to Handle Plastic Bags in Hollister
Unlike most modern municipalities that completely ban plastic grocery bags from curbside recycling, Hollister’s Recology program allows you to recycle them—but with a strict caveat. You must bundle all grocery, dry cleaning, and newspaper bags together and stuff them inside one clear plastic bag before placing them in your blue recycling cart. Loose plastic bags are strictly prohibited because they tangle in the sorting machinery.
The 'Freon Rule' for Bulky Waste Collection
Hollister residents receive two free curbside bulky item pickups per year. Each pickup allows for up to two cubic yards of reusable materials, five e-waste items, and two large appliances. However, there is a specific rule regarding refrigerants: if you are disposing of an appliance that contains Freon, such as an old refrigerator or air conditioner, it counts as two bulky items for that pickup slot due to the specialized environmental handling required.
Utilizing the John Smith Road Landfill
If you have heavy waste, hazardous materials, or just missed your bulky pickup day, Hollister residents can utilize the John Smith Road Landfill. Owned by San Benito County and operated by Waste Connections, this fully permitted facility accepts everything from standard municipal waste to electronic waste. The county also hosts free Quarterly Bulky Item Drop-Off Events at this site specifically for local residents.
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.