Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Milpitas
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
6:00 AM
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are billed quarterly through Milpitas Sanitation, while municipal water and sewer utilities are billed separately by the City of Milpitas.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
A 50% discount on quarterly rates is available for residents aged 62 and older on 19-gallon or 26-gallon carts. Free backyard/on-premise collection is also available for eligible disabled residents.
Gray Split Cart (Garbage & Food Scraps) Bin (Trash)
The Gray cart is split into two sections. Place non-recyclable garbage in the garbage compartment and food scraps (loose or in clear plastic bags only) in the food scraps compartment.
Accepted Items
- ✓Diapers and personal hygiene items
- ✓Pet waste (bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam and plastic film
- ✓Painted or stained wood
- ✓Meat, bones, and dairy (in Food Scraps compartment)
- ✓Bread, grains, and produce (in Food Scraps compartment)
Blue Split Cart (Paper & Containers) Bin (Recycling)
The Blue cart is split into two sections. Place paper and fibers on one side, and clean glass, metal, and plastic containers on the other. Do not mix them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and paper boxes
- ✓Newspapers, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (clean)
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Plastics containers labeled #1-#7
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Batteries (inside the cart)
- ✕Household hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
The Green Yard Trimmings Cart is for yard waste and clean wood ONLY. Do not place any food scraps, food-soiled paper, or dirt in this container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and flowers
- ✓Ivy and weeds
- ✓Small branches (less than 6 inches in diameter)
- ✓Tree stumps (smaller than 16 inches in diameter)
- ✓Untreated dimensional lumber (under 24 inches long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) free clean-ups per rolling 12-month period for single-family homes.
Placement
Call MSI to schedule. Place your bags or up to 3 large items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and mattresses (up to 3 items)
- ✓ Small E-waste (placed in a discardable box next to clean-up bags)
- ✓ Scrap metal under 30 lbs
- ✓ General household overflow waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items over 75 pounds (if placed in bags)
- ✕ Dirt, sod, cement, rock, and brick
- ✕ Treated wood waste
- ✕ Automobile parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Additional bulky item pickups beyond the four free annual clean-ups can be arranged for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If one of the three observed holidays falls on a weekday, collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage collection.
Milpitas Sanitation works on all other major holidays, including MLK Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Keep to your normal schedule on these days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryDuring the first two weeks of January, Milpitas Sanitation collects holiday trees curbside at no extra charge. Trees must be stripped of all decorations, lights, and stands, and any tree over five feet must be cut in half. Flocked trees are accepted but will be sent to the landfill rather than composted.
Autumn/Winter
November - DecemberTo prevent storm drains from clogging and flooding streets, the city implements targeted street sweeping for excess leaves during November and December. Residents in heavy-foliage neighborhoods should still prioritize placing leaves in their Green Yard Trimmings Cart first.
Local Tips & Community Info
Milpitas Sanitation Residential Collection Guidelines
Milpitas Sanitation serves as the dedicated provider for solid waste and recycling collection throughout the City of Milpitas. To ensure smooth neighborhood operations, residents are required to place their designated carts curbside the night before or early in the morning on their scheduled pickup day. For regular households, the standard service includes a split cart for recyclables, a cart for yard trimmings and organics, and a dedicated bin for regular household garbage. The city also offers a Senior Low-Volume Rate specifically designed for older residents, which features a smaller 19-gallon or 26-gallon garbage cart alongside the standard 96-gallon split recycling bin, providing a cost-effective option for households generating minimal waste.
Proper Sorting and the Split Cart System
The unique split cart system utilized in Milpitas requires careful attention to sorting to avoid contamination. Residents must place paper and cardboard on one side of the split container and recyclable containers, such as glass bottles, aluminum cans, and hard plastics, on the other side. This specialized bin design keeps paper products clean and dry, maximizing their recycling value. It is crucial to ensure all containers are completely empty of liquid and food residue before disposal. Plastic bags, film plastics, and expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) are strictly prohibited in the recycling cart, as the city enforces a strict local ordinance against these problematic materials.
Organics and Food Waste Recovery Program
Aligning with California state law, the City of Milpitas actively enforces mandatory organics recycling to divert greenhouse gas-producing waste from local landfills. Your green yard trimmings cart is now your organics cart. It is designated for grass clippings, leaves, pruned branches, and all household food scraps. Residents can confidently toss meat, dairy, bones, vegetable peels, and coffee grounds directly into this container alongside their yard waste. Keeping organics out of the black garbage bin is essential, and Milpitas Sanitation offers regular educational resources and consultations to help families transition smoothly to these composting rules.
Hazardous Waste Safety and E-Waste Disposal
Keeping dangerous items out of both the trash and recycling streams is a major priority for protecting sanitation workers and preserving the environment. Hazardous materials such as automotive tires, car batteries, aerosol cans, and old electronics cannot be thrown in your curbside bins. These are referred to as 'hiders'—items containing toxic elements that can cause fires or contamination in processing facilities. Residents should utilize the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste program to safely dispose of chemicals, paint, and electronic waste. Appointments can easily be made to drop off these restricted items safely and legally.
Anti-Scavenging Laws and Bulky Item Pickups
Milpitas has a strict anti-scavenging ordinance in place to protect resident privacy and reduce local nuisance. It is entirely illegal for unauthorized individuals to steal glass, plastic, or aluminum from residential recycling containers. The city encourages residents to report any witnessed scavenging directly to the Milpitas Police Department. Additionally, for oversized household items that do not fit into standard carts, Milpitas Sanitation offers scheduled bulky item pickups. Furniture, appliances, and large household goods can be hauled away efficiently, preventing illegal dumping and keeping community streets clean.
Drop-off Facilities
Zanker Material Processing Facility (For Self-Haul Vouchers)
675 Los Esteros Road, San Jose, CA 95134
Materials Accepted
Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Various Locations / Environmental Innovation Center
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use plastic bags for my food scraps in Milpitas?
Yes, but with strict rules. You are permitted to use clear plastic bags to collect your food scraps before tossing them into the food scraps compartment of your Gray Split Cart. Opaque, colored, or black garbage bags are strictly prohibited for food waste.
What should I do if my garbage collection was missed?
If your cart was completely missed due to mechanical issues or weather, it is typically resolved within the week. You should leave your cart out and submit a Missed Pickup Request through your online Milpitas Sanitation portal or call 408-988-4500.
How do I dispose of old motor oil and cooking oil?
You do not need to take them to a hazardous waste center. Place your used motor oil or cooking oil in a sealed 1-gallon, screw-top container and set it on the ground next to (not inside) your Blue Recyclables Split Cart on your normal collection day.
Does my trash get delayed on Memorial Day or Labor Day?
No. Milpitas Sanitation only observes three holidays for collection delays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Service runs on a normal schedule for all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.