Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Newark
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Waste collection is mandatory and managed by Republic Services. Single-family households are entitled to three bulky waste pickups per service year and two annual free landfill drop-off passes.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Garbage rate discounts are available for qualifying senior citizens and low-income residents through the City's discount application program.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Waste Collection with Republic Services
For residents of Newark, California, solid waste and recycling collection is expertly managed by Republic Services. Maintaining a clean and organized neighborhood requires participating in the mandatory curbside program. To ensure your household bins are emptied on your specific neighborhood route day, you must wheel your carts out to the street edge either the night before or strictly by 6:00 a.m. on the morning of service. If you happen to miss the garbage truck, you have the option to wait until the following week or contact customer support to schedule a return-trip pickup, though a return trip will incur an additional utility charge on your account.
Strict Cart Placement and Spacing Guidelines
The automated mechanical arms on the Republic Services collection vehicles need adequate clearance to safely grab and dump your bins. When positioning your carts at the curb or gutter, make sure the wheels are touching the curb and the lid opening faces the street. Newark municipal guidelines mandate leaving a minimum of 18 inches of space between each container. Furthermore, you must provide a generous 5-foot clearance between the carts and any obstacles such as parked cars, fire hydrants, utility poles, or mailboxes. Carts must not be overfilled; all lids must close completely securely, and waste should never extend beyond the container rim.
Empty, Clean, and Dry: Mastering the Blue Cart
Newark follows a stringent recycling protocol known as the Empty, Clean, Dry standard. Your blue recycling cart is designated for unsoiled paper products, flattened corrugated cardboard, glass jars, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. It is absolutely essential to scrape, wipe, or rinse out any remaining food residue from containers like peanut butter jars or yogurt tubs before tossing them in. If an item is overly greasy, such as a dirty pizza box or a heavily oiled takeout container, it must be thrown into the landfill cart to prevent contaminating the rest of the clean recyclables. Never bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags.
Organics, Composting, and SB 1383 Compliance
California state law SB 1383 requires all municipalities to drastically reduce the amount of organic waste entering local landfills. Newark residents play a vital role by utilizing their green organics cart for all yard clippings, leaves, branches (under 4 feet long and 12 inches in diameter), and household food scraps. You can confidently compost items like meat, dairy, bones, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper products. Keeping these organic materials out of the black garbage cart helps produce nutrient-rich soil compost and significantly cuts down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay Area.
Scheduling Bulk Item Pickups and E-Waste Disposal
Stuffing broken furniture or oversized appliances into your standard household carts is strictly prohibited. Thankfully, Republic Services offers Newark residents the opportunity to schedule special bulk item pickups for large household cleanups. Eligible households can arrange a curbside appointment by calling customer service at least two weeks in advance. During these special cleanups, you can typically dispose of up to 3 cubic yards of material, including up to two large household appliances. For highly toxic items like wet paint, harsh chemicals, and electronic waste, residents are directed to utilize the local Alameda County Hazardous Waste facilities, as these items are never allowed in regular curbside bins.
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.