Grey or Black Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit completely inside the cart with the lid closed. If you occasionally have extra trash, you must purchase a $6 extra garbage sticker from local Safeway stores or the City Finance Department and attach it to a 32-gallon bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Bagged pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Styrofoam (must be bagged, including packing peanuts)
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Treated or painted wood
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue (Split-Cart) Bin (Recycling)
You must sort materials into the correct side of the split-cart (paper on one side, containers on the other). Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard (paper side)
- ✓Junk mail, magazines, and office paper (paper side)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (container side)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans (container side)
- ✓Clean plastics #1-7 (container side)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Holiday string lights
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Keep compost clean from plastics, glass, and metals. Do not place dirt, rocks, concrete, or palm fronds in the green compost cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, paper napkins)
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree and shrub prunings
- ✓Weeds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 2 free 'On Call Plus' cleanups per calendar year
Placement
Items must be set out in the gutter or planter strip no later than 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled On Call Plus appointment day. Group items by material type (trash, recycling, bulky goods) for the different collection trucks.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, desks, chairs)
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ E-waste
- ✓ Bagged household trash and extra recycling
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, and concrete
- ✕ Automotive parts
Free for houses, townhomes, and mobile homes (1-8 units). Appointments are non-transferable and expire in mid-December. Apartment complexes (9+ units) must coordinate through property managers and fees apply.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickup moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Compost (yard/food waste) and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
Recology Mountain View operates on a normal schedule for all other holidays, including Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Respect the Split-Cart Divider
The most common recycling mistake in Mountain View is ignoring the divider in the blue cart. Placing half-empty soda cans on the paper side ruins the paper's recyclability. Always put containers on one side and paper on the other.
Keep Plastic Bags Out
Never put your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Plastic bags wrap around the gears at the recycling facility and cause dangerous machinery jams. Drop off clean plastic bags at participating grocery stores instead.
Holiday Lights are E-Waste
Do not throw tangled holiday string lights into the blue or black carts. They cause severe equipment damage. Take them to the e-waste collection container at the SMaRT Station Buy-Back Center for free.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryRecology collects holiday trees curbside at no charge on your regular compost service day from December 26th until mid-January. Trees over 5 feet must be cut in half. Remove all decorations, tinsel, and stands.
Year-Round
January - DecemberMountain View residents can pick up free compost and mulch year-round at the SMaRT Station (301 Carl Road). There is a limit of 200 gallons per week; be sure to bring your own containers and shovels.
About Mountain View Waste Management
Mountain View's Unique Split-Cart Recycling System
Unlike many municipalities that utilize a single-stream recycling bin, the City of Mountain View uses a specialized 'split-cart' system for its residential recycling through Recology. The blue recycling cart has an internal divider: one side is strictly for clean paper and flattened cardboard, while the other side is designated for glass, metal, and plastic containers. Keeping fibers separate from liquids and food residues ensures a much higher quality of recyclable material and reduces contamination before it even reaches the sorting facility.
The On Call Plus Cleanup Program
Mountain View residents living in properties with 1 to 8 units have access to the highly convenient 'On Call Plus' program. You can schedule up to two free curbside cleanups per calendar year directly with Recology. Each cleanup allows you to set out an area of bagged or boxed household trash and recyclables (up to 4'x4'x8'), plus up to three large bulky items like appliances or furniture. If you prefer to haul the items yourself, you can exchange your On Call Plus appointment for a disposal voucher to use at the SMaRT Station.
Expanded Curbside Collection for Special Items
You don't always have to drive to a hazardous waste facility to dispose of tricky household items in Mountain View. Recology offers expanded curbside pick-up for several special categories. Residents can place used motor oil and filters (in provided containers), household batteries, cell phones, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), and securely sealed used cooking oil right next to their recycling cart on their regular collection day.
Utilizing the SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale
Mountain View partners with the Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer (SMaRT) Station, located at 301 Carl Road in Sunnyvale. As a Mountain View resident, you have special privileges here. Not only can you drop off electronic waste, used fluids, and extra recyclables, but you can also pick up free organic compost and mulch year-round. Just bring your own shovel and containers, and you can take up to 200 gallons of US Composting Council-certified compost per week.
Drop-off Facilities
SMaRT Station (Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station)
301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Mountain View's split recycling cart work?
The blue recycling cart is divided into two sections. You must place clean paper and flattened cardboard on one side, and empty glass, plastic, and metal containers on the other. This prevents liquids from ruining recyclable paper.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Mountain View?
Eligible residents (1-8 unit properties) can call Recology at (650) 967-3034 to schedule an 'On Call Plus' cleanup. You get two free appointments per year, which cover up to three bulky items and a 4x4x8 foot pile of bagged extra trash.
What should I do if my trash cart is full?
If you occasionally have extra trash that won't fit with the lid closed, you must purchase a $6 'Extra Garbage Sticker' from a local Safeway or the City Finance Department. Attach the sticker to a 32-gallon bag and place it next to your cart.
Can I recycle used cooking oil or batteries at the curb?
Yes. Mountain View residents can place household batteries in a clear zip-top bag on top of the blue recycling cart. Securely sealed used cooking oil, used motor oil, and cell phones can also be placed next to your carts on collection day.