Black or Grey Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the landfill cart. Do not place dirt, rocks, or hazardous materials in this bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Styrofoam products
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Cat litter and pet waste
- ✓Juice and soy milk cartons
- ✓Diapers
Blue (or legacy Brown) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be rinsed clean of food residue and placed loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Aluminum foil (balled up to softball size)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Pressurized tanks
Yard Waste Bin
Place organic materials directly into the green cart. Biodegradable or compostable plastics of any kind are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings (under 6 inches thick)
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper (no plastic linings)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
4 free pick-ups per year for residential accounts.
Placement
Place items curbside safely so the driver can load them. Loose items must be bagged or boxed.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and wooden chairs
- ✓ Appliances (washers, dryers, ovens)
- ✓ Exercise equipment and bicycles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Dirt, cement, rock, or asphalt
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, batteries)
Appliances containing Freon (refrigerators, freezers, AC units) will incur a charge of approximately $63.66 per item for safe extraction.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular service day falls on or after Christmas or New Year's Day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and compost pickup follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
Unlike many neighboring areas, Novato maintains regular collection service on Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Do not delay your bins on these holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ball Up Your Foil
When recycling aluminum foil, ensure it is clean of food debris and crumple it into a ball at least the size of a softball to prevent it from jamming the sorting machinery.
Keep Film Out of Compost
Never place plastic-lined paper items, such as certain fast-food cups or coated takeout boxes, into the green compost bin. If it has a shiny film, it goes in the trash.
Bundle Your Cardboard
If your flattened cardboard doesn't fit in the blue cart, do not jam it in. Pack it into 3'x3'x1' bundles, tie it securely with twine, and set it next to your cart on pickup day.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Recology offers curbside Christmas tree collection for Novato residents. Trees over 6 feet must be cut in half, and flocked trees or those with tinsel/decorations are not accepted in the compost.
Spring
March - MayPerfect for spring cleaning, remember to utilize your four free annual bulky item pick-ups. Schedule ahead to dispose of broken lawnmowers (drained of oil/gas) or old furniture.
Autumn
September - NovemberDuring fall leaf drop, if your green cart is full, you may place one tied bundle of yard cuttings (max 2ft x 5ft) next to your cart each week for free pickup.
About Novato Waste Management
Novato's Legacy of Innovative Waste Management
Novato boasts a proud environmental history, having established the very first curbside recycling program in Marin County back in 1982. Managed by the Novato Sanitary District and serviced by Recology Sonoma Marin, the city continues to provide residents with cost-effective and innovative organic waste and recycling solutions while maintaining some of the lowest garbage rates in the county.
Comprehensive Organics and SB 1383 Compliance
To combat landfill methane emissions and comply with California's SB 1383, Novato requires all residents to separate organic matter—including food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings—into their green compost carts. Novato residents can even pick up a free countertop kitchen pail at the local Recycling Center to make daily food scrap collection easier.
Local CRV Buy-Back and Recycling Center Options
Unlike many municipalities that rely solely on curbside bins, Novato actively supports beverage container recycling through its CRV buy-back services. The primary Novato Recycling Center on Redwood Boulevard processes CRV containers, and residents also have access to several local drop-off spots, including Target and Nugget Market, promoting a circular economy.
Accessible Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off
Properly disposing of toxic materials is simple for Novato residents. The Novato Sanitary District operates a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste Facility located right alongside the Recycling Center. Open without an appointment on the first and third consecutive Sundays and Mondays of each month, this facility safely processes everything from old electronics to cleaning chemicals.
Convenient Curbside Cleanups and Bulky Item Rules
Every residential account in Novato receives an impressive four free curbside bulky item pick-ups annually. This vital service helps keep Marin County neighborhoods clean by allowing residents to effortlessly discard large items like couches, mattresses, or up to 14 bags of refuse, directly from their curb with a simple phone call.
Drop-off Facilities
Novato Recycling Center & HHW Facility
7576 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945
Materials Accepted
Redwood Landfill and Recycling Center
8950 Redwood Hwy, Novato, CA 94945
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Novato collect trash on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes, Novato is unique in that Recology continues regular trash, recycling, and compost collection on Thanksgiving Day, as well as Independence Day and Labor Day. The only holidays that delay service are Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
How many times a year can I schedule a bulky item pickup in Novato?
Residential customers in Novato are entitled to four free bulky item collections per calendar year. You can use these to discard large furniture, mattresses, or up to 14 bags of extra trash per scheduled pickup.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and batteries in Novato?
Novato residents can drop off household hazardous waste like paint, batteries, and small electronics at the HHW Facility at 7576 Redwood Blvd. It operates without an appointment on the first and third consecutive Sundays and Mondays of each month.
What happens if I have more cardboard than fits in my recycling bin?
You do not need to wait for the next week. Flatten the cardboard, cut and tie it into bundles no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet by 1 foot, and set them securely next to your blue recycling cart on your normal collection day.