Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged to prevent litter. Do not overfill the cart; the lid must close completely. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers and packing peanuts
- ✓Plastic bags, film plastic, and bubble wrap
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Clothing and textiles
- ✓Broken ceramics and non-recyclable glass
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue cart. Never seal recyclables in plastic garbage bags, as they will be treated as trash at the sorting facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, envelopes, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard (extra can be cut to 3'x3' and placed next to bin)
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (empty and dry)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, ropes, hangers)
- ✕Single-use plastic utensils and toys
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place any plastics, bio-plastics, or compostable bags into the green cart. Keep organics loose to ensure they can be properly processed into nutrient-rich compost.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and plant debris
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, fruit, vegetables, dairy)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, coffee filters)
- ✓Untreated wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice a year for single-family homes; Once a year for multi-family renters.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb until the day before your scheduled appointment to prevent illegal dumping. All items must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, mattresses, box springs)
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Consumer electronics (TVs, monitors)
- ✓ Scrap metal and extra cardboard
- ✓ Passenger auto tires
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and rocks
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Liquid paints and solvents
Curbside pickups and self-haul drop-offs at the Davis Street facility are free up to the annual limit. Additional pickups or overages will incur a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day falls on a weekday, all curbside collections are delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Compost and recycling collection schedules are delayed by one day alongside standard trash collection.
These are the only three holidays that disrupt service in Oakland. Collection operates on a normal schedule for all other holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose Recyclables Are Mandatory
Bagging your recyclables in plastic garbage bags guarantees they will end up in the landfill. Sorters at the California Waste Solutions facility cannot open bags to check contents, so keep items loose in your blue cart.
Keep Film Plastic Out
Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film plastic are the biggest culprits for jamming the mechanical sorting screens at the material recovery facility. These items must go in your gray/black trash cart.
Pet Waste is Trash
Never place pet waste or cat litter in the green compost cart, even if you use a 'biodegradable' bag. Animal waste ruins the municipal compost mixture and must always be thrown in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryWaste Management provides free Holiday Tree Recycling. Clean, un-flocked trees are collected curbside during the two weeks after Christmas on your regular pickup day. Remove all lights, tinsel, and stands.
Year-Round
January - DecemberIn partnership with Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project, Oakland provides residents with free compost year-round generated directly from the city's green waste program.
About Oakland Waste Management
Understanding Oakland's Dual-Hauler System
The City of Oakland operates a unique split-hauler system to manage residential waste. Under the Oakland Recycles program, Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (WMAC) handles the collection of your black trash and green compost carts, as well as all bulky item pickups. Meanwhile, California Waste Solutions (CWS) is the exclusive provider for your blue recycling cart, along with curbside motor oil and battery collection. Because of this division, residents must ensure all bins are placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with handles facing the home, as they will be serviced by different trucks throughout the day.
Direct Bulky Junk Scheduling for Renters
Oakland offers an exceptional benefit for apartment and condo renters that is rare in many cities: tenants can directly schedule their own bulky junk pickups without needing a signature or approval from their property manager. Each multi-family unit is entitled to one free curbside pickup of up to 4 cubic yards per year, plus one free drop-off at the Davis Street Resource Recovery Complex. Single-family households enjoy this service twice a year. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-888-WM-BULKY.
Curbside Motor Oil and Battery Recycling
California Waste Solutions makes it incredibly easy to dispose of automotive fluids and batteries without leaving your home. You can request an approved jug and zip-tight filter bag from CWS by calling 510-625-5263. Once filled, simply place the sealed jug and bag next to your blue recycling cart on collection day. For standard household batteries, place them in a clear, sealed zip-lock bag directly on top of your blue recycling cart.
Composting to Comply with State Law SB 1383
To meet the stringent mandates of California's SB 1383, Oakland strictly enforces the separation of organic waste. Residents are required to place all food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper like pizza boxes—into their green compost cart alongside yard trimmings. Keeping these materials out of the landfill helps combat climate change. Contaminating the compost bin with plastics, glass, or non-compostable items can result in surcharges on your utility bill.
Drop-off Facilities
Davis Street Resource Recovery Complex and Transfer Station
2615 Davis Street, San Leandro, CA 94577
Materials Accepted
Oakland Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
2100 East 7th Street, Oakland, CA 94606
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule a bulky item pickup in Oakland if I am a renter?
Yes! Oakland's program allows tenants in multi-family buildings to directly schedule one free bulky item curbside pickup (up to 4 cubic yards) per year without needing property manager approval. Just call 1-888-WM-BULKY to make an appointment.
How do I dispose of used motor oil in Oakland?
California Waste Solutions offers a free curbside collection for motor oil. You must call 510-625-5263 to request an approved oil jug and filter bag. Once full, place the sealed jug and bag next to your blue recycling cart on your normal collection day.
What holidays affect my trash pickup in Oakland?
There are only three holidays that delay waste collection in Oakland: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If one of these falls on a weekday, service will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week.
Can I put compostable plastic bags in my green Oakland compost bin?
No. You should not put any plastic bags into your green compost cart, even if they are labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable.' Keep your food scraps and yard debris loose, or wrap them in plain, food-soiled paper like a newspaper or paper bag.