Grey Bin (Trash)
All non-hazardous, non-recyclable garbage must go in the grey cart. Messy items like pet waste and Styrofoam peanuts should be securely bagged before disposal. Dirt, rock, brick, and sod are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers and wipes
- ✓Styrofoam (polystyrene)
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics
- ✓Snack wrappers and chip bags
Blue (Split Cart with Lighter & Dark Lids) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Sort materials carefully: paper goes under the lighter lid, and rinsed containers go under the dark blue lid. Large boxes must be flattened to 2'x2' and placed next to the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper and cardboard (lighter lid)
- ✓Junk mail, magazines, and shredded paper in paper bags (lighter lid)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (dark blue lid)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (dark blue lid)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans (dark blue lid)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
- ✕Bio/compostable plastics
Yard Waste Bin
Place organics directly into the green cart without plastic bags. Paper bags or newspaper may be used to contain messy food scraps. No compostable or biodegradable plastics are allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, pizza boxes)
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and flowers
- ✓Branches (under 6 inches in diameter and 3 feet in length)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free On-Call Cleanups per calendar year
Placement
Call SSF Scavenger at 650-589-4020 at least one business day in advance to schedule. Place items at the curb no more than 12 hours before the scheduled collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Refrigerators and household appliances
- ✓ Carpet rolls (tied, under 4 feet)
- ✓ Bundled wood waste (under 4 feet)
- ✓ Bagged household garbage
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint)
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete, and brick
- ✕ Commercial construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Loose, unbagged garbage
Special charges may apply for certain electronic waste or appliances containing Freon. Exceeding the two free cleanups per year will result in standard hauling fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
South San Francisco Scavenger Company operates normally on almost all holidays, including Thanksgiving and Labor Day. Service is only delayed by one day if Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard waste collections observe the exact same rare delay schedule as regular trash and recycling.
If Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a weekend, there is no change to the weekday residential collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Respect the Split Cart Boundaries
Always put dry paper under the lighter lid and rinsed containers under the dark blue lid of your recycling cart. Mixing them up causes leftover liquid residue from bottles to ruin clean, recyclable paper products.
Say No to 'Compostable' Plastics
Do not use bioplastics or compostable plastic bags, cups, or utensils in your green cart. Despite their labeling, they are considered contaminants by Millbrae's local composting facility and will be sent to the landfill.
Bag the Messy Stuff for the Grey Cart
While you should never bag your recyclables or organics, you MUST bag messy landfill items like pet waste, dirty diapers, and loose Styrofoam packing peanuts before tossing them into the grey trash cart to prevent street litter.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryChristmas trees are recycled after the holidays. Remove the stand, tinsel, and all lights. Cut the tree in half if it exceeds 6 feet. Place the unbagged tree near the curb on your regular collection day before 5:00 AM.
Year-Round
January - DecemberIf you have seasonal yard overflow, remember that all branches must be less than 6 inches in diameter and cut to 3-foot lengths to properly fit inside the green cart.
About Millbrae Waste Management
The Unique Blue Split Cart Recycling System
Millbrae residents utilize a highly specialized blue 'split' cart for their curbside recycling program. This 64-gallon bin features two distinct sections with different colored lids to prevent cross-contamination. The lighter-colored lid side is reserved exclusively for clean, dry paper products like newspapers and flattened cardboard. The dark blue lid side is designated for recyclable containers, such as rinsed glass bottles, metal cans, and hard plastics. This dual-stream approach ensures liquid residue from containers doesn't ruin the recyclable paper.
Flexible On-Call Cleanups for Bulky Items
Instead of rigid neighborhood-wide bulk collection days, Millbrae offers single-family households two free On-Call Cleanups per calendar year. The allowances are notably flexible: per scheduled appointment, residents can set out up to 12 bags of garbage, 6 bags plus one large bulky item, or two large furniture items or appliances. Appointments must be requested through South San Francisco Scavenger Company at least one business day in advance, as same-day scheduling is not permitted.
Meeting the SB 1383 Organics Mandate
To comply with California's short-lived climate pollutant laws, all Millbrae households must separate organic waste into their green carts. This includes yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes and napkins. A critical rule for Millbrae's local composting facility is that absolutely no plastics—not even those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'—are permitted in the green cart, as they do not break down efficiently in the commercial processing environment.
Convenient Curbside Motor Oil Recovery
Millbrae makes it exceptionally convenient for DIY automotive mechanics to safely dispose of vehicle fluids without driving to a household hazardous waste facility. Residents can place up to 5 gallons of used motor oil and up to 5 used oil filters directly next to their blue recycling cart on their designated collection day. The oil must be secured in clear, sealed 1-gallon jugs with screw-top lids, and the filters must be contained in a sealed, clear plastic bag.
A Surprisingly Consistent Holiday Schedule
Unlike most California municipalities that delay trash pickups for a wide array of federal holidays, Millbrae’s residential collection schedule is incredibly consistent. The South San Francisco Scavenger Company operates normally on almost all holidays, including Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July. Service is only delayed by one day if Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a weekday.
Drop-off Facilities
Blue Line Transfer Station & BOPA Center
500 East Jamie Court, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Millbrae's blue split recycling cart work?
The 64-gallon blue cart is divided into two sections. Clean, dry paper and flattened cardboard go under the lighter-colored lid, while rinsed recyclable containers (bottles, cans, hard plastics) go under the dark blue lid to prevent liquid contamination.
What happens to my trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Millbrae?
Nothing changes! The South San Francisco Scavenger Company works on Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and most other major holidays. Pickups are only delayed if Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a weekday.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Millbrae?
Single-family homes get two free On-Call Cleanups per year. You can include up to 12 bags of garbage, or 6 bags and 1 large item, or 2 large items. Call 650-589-4020 at least one business day in advance to schedule your pickup.
Can I put compostable plastic bags in my green organics cart?
No. The South San Francisco Scavenger Company strictly prohibits all plastics, including those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable,' from the green cart. If you need to contain messy food scraps, wrap them in newspaper or use a brown paper bag.