Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lafayette
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday; your specific pickup day depends on your street address.
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as trash collection.
Yard Waste
Weekly on the same day as trash collection.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste, recycling, and organics services in Lafayette are managed through RecycleSmart and hauled by Republic Services. Single-family residents receive bi-annual Reuse & Cleanup Days and on-call cleanup services at no extra charge.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
No low-income or senior discounts are offered, but residents who practice home composting can apply for a Home Compost Certification credit of $4.50 per quarter.
Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage must fit inside the black landfill cart with the lid completely shut. Hot ash must be fully cooled before being thrown away.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aseptic cartons and juice pouches
- ✓Metallic or glittery wrapping paper
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✓Personal care product tubes (toothpaste, lotion)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be Empty, Clean, and Dry. Do not place recyclables in garbage bags; leave them loose in the blue cart or use a clear bag only.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and clean paper
- ✓Plastic containers and bottles (#1-7)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Bundled plastic bags (tied into a pillow)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-contaminated paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Aseptic shelf-stable cartons
- ✕Loose plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam blocks
Yard Waste Bin
Keep the lid fully closed. Do not use standard plastic bags or synthetic 'biodegradable' bags—only BPI Certified compostable products are permitted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Untreated wood (cut under 4 feet)
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (uncoated paper plates, napkins)
- ✓BPI Certified compostable plastics
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two pre-scheduled events per year (Spring and Fall)
Placement
Place all items at the curb or nearest main street by 6:00 a.m. Bag, box, or wrap small loose items. Reusable items go out on Day 1; landfill trash goes out on Day 2.
Accepted
- ✓ Bagged trash (up to 50 lbs per bag)
- ✓ Small appliances and electronics
- ✓ Small furniture and rugs
- ✓ Household items and housewares
- ✓ Bicycles and sporting equipment
Not Accepted
- ✕ Any organic material (leaves, branches, food)
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paint
- ✕ Single items weighing over 50 lbs
- ✕ Items longer than 4 feet
- ✕ Large refrigerators or tires
The bi-annual events are fully covered by your rates. If you exceed the size and weight limits, or require an on-call cleanup outside of these pre-scheduled months, you must call Republic Services and pay an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services only observes Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If your normal collection day falls on or after these holidays, your service will be delayed by one day for the rest of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Your green organics cart and blue recycling cart will follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your black landfill cart.
Service occurs completely as normal on all other holidays, including Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter/Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryNatural Christmas trees will be collected curbside on your normal service day during designated weeks in January [2.1.1]. Remove all stands, tinsel, and lights. Flocked trees cannot be composted and must be cut to fit inside the black landfill cart.
Spring
AprilSpring Reuse and Cleanup Days for Lafayette generally occur in April. You will receive a mailer two weeks beforehand with your specific assigned dates to set out reusable goods and bulk trash.
Fall
OctoberLafayette's second annual Reuse and Cleanup Days occur in October. Remember that organic materials, leaves, and yard trimmings are strictly prohibited from the bulk Cleanup Day piles.
Local Tips & Community Info
Solid Waste Collection and RecycleSmart Services
Homeowners in Lafayette fall under the jurisdiction of RecycleSmart, formally known as the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority. This regional agency contracts directly with Republic Services to handle all residential hauling. This partnership ensures that weekly refuse, recycling, and organic matter collections run seamlessly throughout the city. Every single-family property is issued a standard set of three color-coded carts to handle daily household debris and minimize the volume of trash sent to regional landfills.
Curbside Placement Regulations
To guarantee your bins are emptied, they must be wheeled out to the curb edge by 6:00 a.m. on your specific neighborhood collection day. The automated trucks require a minimum clearance of three feet between each cart, as well as ample distance from parked cars, mailboxes, and overhanging tree limbs. Once the trucks have made their rounds, Lafayette city codes dictate that all containers must be pulled back out of public view by the end of the evening to maintain the aesthetic appeal and safety of the community's winding streets.
Composting and Recycling Guidelines
Sorting your debris correctly is a major priority in Contra Costa County. The green organics cart is intended for all yard clippings, leaves, and kitchen food scraps, aligning directly with California's statewide composting laws. The blue recycling container accepts dry cardboard, unsoiled paper, aluminum, and hard plastics. Any remaining refuse, such as broken ceramics, foam packaging, or pet waste, belongs exclusively in the landfill-bound black or grey cart.
Special Clean-Up Programs for Bulky Waste
If you have items that are too large to fit inside standard carts, Republic Services provides residential clean-up programs. You can schedule a specialized pickup for bulky items like old mattresses, discarded furniture, or bundled yard waste that exceeds your cart's capacity. Simply contact customer service in advance to secure a spot on the route schedule, as these oversized collections require specialized flatbed trucks and cannot be picked up by the regular daily drivers.
Holiday Schedule Adjustments
During the winter holiday season, it is important to keep an eye on the calendar. Republic Services observes Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. If your standard collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your neighborhood will be serviced one day later than usual for that specific week. Normal schedules immediately resume the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (Central San)
4797 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides residential trash pickup in Lafayette?
Residential waste hauling in Lafayette is managed by Republic Services, working under the local authority of RecycleSmart.
Can I put food scraps in my yard waste bin?
Yes. Lafayette complies with state organic waste mandates, meaning all kitchen food scraps, soiled paper napkins, and yard trimmings should be placed together in your green organics cart.
What time do my garbage carts need to be at the curb?
All carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day to ensure they are not missed by the automated trucks.