Black Bin (Trash)
Ensure all trash is bagged to prevent litter and odors. Place the cart at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household waste
- ✓BPI-certified compostable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken ceramics
- ✓Treated or painted wood scraps
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be placed loosely into the cart and must be entirely empty and drip-free.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty and drip-free plastic bottles
- ✓Glass containers and jars
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food soiled paper or pizza boxes
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Styrofoam packing materials
- ✕Compostable plastics or utensils
Yard Waste Bin
The lid must securely close. Do not place dirt, rocks, concrete, or plastic bags in the organics cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps and leftovers
- ✓Plant waste and weeds
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree trimmings (up to 2 feet in length)
- ✓Fallen leaves
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 3 times per year for single-family residential customers.
Placement
Items must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled day. Do not block the sidewalk or impede traffic, and do not use your carts for bulky cleanup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Carpets
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Tires
- ✓ White goods and brown goods
- ✓ E-waste
- ✓ Bagged or bundled small items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Dirt, rock, or concrete
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Paint or liquids
- ✕ Items over 75 pounds (except furniture/appliances)
- ✕ Plate glass
Exceeding the 5 cubic yard limit, or requiring removal of items like flocked Christmas trees outside the holiday window, may incur an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
Thanksgiving Day does not cause any interruption or delay in garbage, recycling, or green waste collection in Pleasanton.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Compostable Plastics Out of the Green Cart
Even if your cups or utensils are labeled 'BPI-Certified Compostable,' they must go in your black garbage cart. Local composting facilities cannot process these materials effectively.
Ensure Recyclables are 'Empty and Drip-Free'
Before tossing beverage containers or food tubs in the blue cart, make sure they are completely empty and wiped clean or rinsed. Lingering food or liquid can ruin an entire batch of paper recyclables.
Ditch the Plastic Bags in Recycling
Never bag your recyclables. Plastic films tangle in the sorting gears at the recycling plant. Keep all glass, paper, and metal items loose inside your blue bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryPGS offers a special Holiday Tree Pickup during early January. Trees must be clean (no flocking, lights, or stands) and cut down to 4-foot sections or smaller. Place them at the curb by 5:30 AM on your regular service day.
Fall
October to DecemberThe City does not offer loose leaf collection in the streets. To prevent storm drain blockages during winter rains, all fallen leaves and yard waste must fit inside your green organics cart.
About Pleasanton Waste Management
Streamlined Waste Collection in Pleasanton
The City of Pleasanton partners with Pleasanton Garbage Service (PGS) to deliver reliable, three-cart residential waste collection. Residents are issued a black cart for standard garbage, a blue cart for mixed recyclables, and a green cart for organics, including food and yard waste. This bundled service system is designed to keep Alameda County clean and support aggressive statewide diversion goals.
Navigating the Green Organics Cart
Pleasanton places a strong emphasis on diverting organic materials from local landfills. Your green cart is strictly for food scraps, plant waste, and compostable yard trimmings. However, it is crucial to note that compostable plastics—even those with BPI certification—are not accepted in the green bin and must be thrown in the black garbage cart to prevent facility contamination.
Convenient Curbside Bulky Waste Removal
Getting rid of large household items does not require a trip to the transfer station. Single-family homeowners in Pleasanton are entitled to three free on-call bulky item cleanups every calendar year. Whether you are clearing out old furniture, mattresses, or bundled yard clippings, you can schedule a pickup of up to five cubic yards by contacting PGS directly.
Proper Management of Fall Leaves and Winter Trees
Unlike some neighboring municipalities, Pleasanton does not offer curbside loose leaf collection in the streets, as debris can clog storm drains and cause flooding. All seasonal yard waste must be contained within your green organics cart. When the winter holidays conclude, PGS provides a dedicated week in early January for curbside pickup of clean, un-flocked trees cut into manageable four-foot sections.
Using the Local Transfer Station
If you exceed your curbside limits or need immediate disposal options, the PGS Transfer Station on Busch Road is open seven days a week. This facility serves as a convenient drop-off point for Pleasanton residents dealing with major home renovations, excess refuse, or specific materials that are not suited for standard weekly pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
Pleasanton Garbage Service Transfer Station
3110 Busch Road, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pleasanton provide street sweeping for fall leaf piles?
No, the City of Pleasanton does not provide residential curbside loose leaf collection. To prevent street flooding and keep gutters clear, residents must place all yard waste and tree trimmings directly into their green organics carts.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup with Pleasanton Garbage Service?
Single-family residential customers can schedule up to three free bulky item cleanups per year. You must call PGS at (925) 846-2042 to arrange this service, and your items will generally be collected within seven business days of your request.
Are 'compostable' plastics allowed in my green organics cart?
No. In Pleasanton, compostable plastics, including BPI-certified utensils, cups, and bowls, are not accepted in the organics collection. These items do not break down adequately in the local facilities and must be placed in your black garbage cart.
Will my trash collection be delayed on Thanksgiving?
No, Pleasanton Garbage Service does not interrupt regular residential collection for Thanksgiving. However, collections that fall on or after Christmas Day and New Year's Day may be delayed by one day if the holiday occurs on a weekday.