Black Bin (Trash)
All standard refuse should be securely bagged and placed inside the cart so the lid completely closes. Do not place overflow bags on the ground.
Accepted Items
- ✓Compostable bioplastics (cups, utensils)
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Treated or painted wood
- ✓Broken ceramics and glassware
- ✓Chip bags and multi-layer snack wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be placed loose in the cart and should be completely empty and wiped or scraped clean of food debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty glass bottles and jars
- ✓Clean, dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic containers, jugs, and bottles (#1-#7)
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Empty, non-toxic aerosol cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam packing materials
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Green Bin (Yard Waste)
Place all organic matter directly into the cart. Do not use standard plastic bags. Keep the cart lid closed to prevent pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Branches and small tree trimmings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Coffee grounds and paper filters
- ✓100% fiber-based, food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free scheduled pickup per calendar year
Placement
Place your items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your confirmed collection day. Allow at least two feet of clearance between your bulky items and your standard carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Large, tied bundles of yard trimmings
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint, oil)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Items exceeding safe weight limits for two people to lift
If you require more than one bulky collection in a calendar year, you can schedule additional pickups with Republic Services for a nominal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all curbside collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
The organics and recycling carts follow the exact same delayed holiday schedule as the standard trash carts.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no disruption or delay to your normal collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep 'Compostable' Plastics in the Trash
Even if a plastic cup or fork is labeled as 'compostable' or 'plant-based,' it must go into your black landfill cart. The commercial composting facilities that service Newark cannot efficiently break down bioplastics, and they will contaminate the organic soil output.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The most common recycling mistake is bagging empty bottles and cans in black or opaque trash bags. When the sorting facility receives a sealed bag, it is pulled off the line and sent straight to the landfill because workers cannot safely see what is inside.
Tear Up Your Greasy Pizza Boxes
Cardboard saturated with grease or cheese cannot be recycled into new paper products. Tear off the clean lid and place it in the blue recycling cart, and put the greasy bottom half into the green organics cart to be composted.
Seasonal Information
Summer
July - SeptemberDuring high summer temperatures, food scraps in your green cart can generate strong odors and attract fruit flies. Try freezing your meat, dairy, and seafood scraps in a reusable container indoors, and only dump them into your green cart on the morning of your collection day.
Fall
October - NovemberAs the leaves drop, ensure your green organics cart is not overfilled. If the lid is propped open by branches, strong autumn winds can scatter yard debris across the street, and automated collection trucks may not be able to service the bin.
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Republic Services will collect natural Christmas trees curbside. To ensure your tree is composted, you must remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and the stand. Flocked trees cannot be composted and must be disposed of as standard trash.
About Newark Waste Management
Meeting California's Strict SB 1383 Organic Waste Mandates
To combat greenhouse gas emissions and comply with California State Law SB 1383, the City of Newark strictly enforces organics recycling for all households. When organic matter like leftover food and yard trimmings breaks down in a traditional landfill, it generates methane, a potent climate super-pollutant. To prevent this, Newark residents are required to place all organic material directly into their green compost carts, which Republic Services then transports to regional facilities to be transformed into nutrient-rich soil amendments.
Free Kitchen Pails for Newark Households
Diverting wet food scraps can feel messy without the right tools. To support the community's transition to organics recycling, Republic Services offers free indoor kitchen pails to single-family homeowners. These pails are perfect for collecting meat bones, eggshells, and vegetable peelings on your counter before dumping them into your outdoor green cart. You can request your pail by calling Republic Services or picking one up at their Boyce Road office in neighboring Fremont.
Understanding the Alameda County Color System
Newark follows the standardized container color coding implemented across the Alameda County Waste Management Authority. This helps reduce confusion and cross-contamination. Your curbside setup includes a black or dark gray cart for traditional landfill garbage, a blue cart reserved strictly for clean and dry recyclables, and a green cart for all yard waste and compostable organics.
Managing Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste
You should never throw batteries, motor oil, wet paint, or old electronics into your standard curbside carts. These items contain toxic chemicals and pose a severe fire risk to collection vehicles and recycling centers. Fortunately, Newark residents have access to several nearby safe disposal options, including the Hayward Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility, which operates free drop-off days for Alameda County residents every week from Thursday through Saturday.
Drop-off Facilities
Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station
41149 Boyce Rd, Fremont, CA 94538
Materials Accepted
Hayward Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
2091 W Winton Ave, Hayward, CA 94545
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is food waste recycling mandatory in Newark?
Yes. Due to California's Senate Bill 1383, all residents and businesses in Newark are legally required to separate organic waste—such as food scraps, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings—into their green compost cart to reduce methane emissions from landfills.
How do I get a kitchen food scrap pail for my home?
If you live in a single-family home, you can request a free kitchen compost pail by calling Republic Services at (510) 657-3500. You can also pick one up directly from their local office at 42600 Boyce Road in Fremont. Multi-family residents should contact their property manager.
Are compostable plastic cups and utensils allowed in the green cart?
No. Despite being labeled as 'compostable' or 'plant-based,' bioplastics cannot be easily broken down by local commercial composting facilities. You must throw all bioplastics and compostable bags into your black trash cart.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup for an old couch?
Newark residents receive one free bulky item pickup per calendar year. You must call Republic Services or use their online portal to schedule the collection in advance. Do not place items on the curb until your specific pickup date has been confirmed.