Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Richmond
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly Monday through Friday, with specific pickup days assigned by neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as trash collection.
Yard Waste
Yard waste and organic compost are collected weekly on your scheduled collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash services are billed in advance every three months by Republic Services. Single-family residential households are also eligible for up to three free on-call curbside bulky item cleanups each year.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Residents aged 62 or older and participants in the PG&E CARE low-income program may qualify for a $5 per month rate discount.
Black or Brown Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed with wheels against the curb the night before or no later than 6:00 a.m. on your service day. Keep carts at least 2 feet from other carts and 5 feet from cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
- ✓Compostable plastic cups and utensils
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Empty and rinse all food containers to avoid contaminating other recyclables. Put items completely loose inside your blue cart; never bag your recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Treated wood or construction waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place regular plastics or compostable plastics in the green cart. Keep organic waste loose or wrap wet food scraps in newspaper or paper bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste (fruits, veggies, meat, dairy)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters)
- ✓Yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, weeds)
- ✓Unpainted and untreated wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Three (3) free bulky waste pickups per calendar year.
Placement
You must call Republic Services at least 10 workdays in advance to schedule. Place items at the curb no earlier than the night before your scheduled collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances
- ✓ Up to 5 electronic waste items
- ✓ Bagged excess trash or yard waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Car parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Liquids and wet paint
Customers who exceed their three no-charge pickups can schedule additional bulky item collections with Republic Services for an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a Monday through Friday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as residential trash.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay or change to your regular Monday-Friday service schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing Christmas, Republic Services offers curbside holiday tree disposal options for Richmond residents. Trees must be completely bare of ornaments, unflocked, and cut down to size to be placed in or near the green organics cart.
Spring - Fall
March - OctoberKeep an eye out for mailed postcards detailing your specific Neighborhood Dumpster Day. These localized Saturday events are the perfect time to dispose of excess garage clutter without using up your allotted bulky item pickups.
Local Tips & Community Info
Neighborhood Waste Removal via Richmond Sanitary Service
For residents living within the city limits of Richmond, domestic garbage, recycling, and yard waste operations are overseen by Richmond Sanitary Service, which operates under the Republic Services umbrella. To guarantee your bins are emptied on your designated day, you must roll them out to the street edge no later than 6:00 a.m. Ensure the wheels are resting squarely against the curb and that the lids are entirely flat. The automated collection trucks require at least three feet of spatial clearance on all sides of each cart, so be highly mindful to keep them far away from parked cars, fire hydrants, and low-hanging branches.
Contra Costa County Organics Mandates
In strict accordance with California's SB 1383 environmental regulations, Richmond mandates the diversion of all organic materials away from the primary landfill. Your green yard waste bin is legally required to hold all grass trimmings, leaves, uncoated food-soiled paper products, and kitchen food scraps. Residents must never attempt to place standard plastic bags, treated wood, or pet waste into this organics container. Taking the time to properly separate these compostable items drastically curtails the production of greenhouse gases and helps the municipality achieve its long-term sustainability benchmarks.
On-Call Cleanups for Large Household Clutter
Replacing bulky furniture or clearing out an overstuffed garage is highly convenient thanks to the city's On-Call Cleanup program. Eligible single-family households in Richmond are permitted to request up to two free curbside bulk pickups per calendar year through Republic Services. This allowance is perfect for discarding items that simply will not fit into your weekly black garbage cart, such as old mattresses, broken appliances, and bundled yard debris. You must contact customer support directly at (510) 262-7100 to reserve a specific date before bringing these massive items out to the sidewalk.
West Contra Costa Hazardous Waste Facility
It is absolutely illegal and environmentally devastating to dump corrosive chemicals, flammable liquids, or electronic waste into your standard residential bins. Richmond residents are fortunate to have direct access to the West Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility, located conveniently on Pittsburg Avenue. This specialized drop-off center accepts dangerous household items such as leftover latex paint, harsh pool chemicals, antifreeze, fluorescent light bulbs, and lithium-ion batteries at no additional charge to local homeowners. Always transport these toxic materials in their original, sealed containers to prevent dangerous chemical reactions during transit.
Managing Weather Delays and Holiday Adjustments
While standard weekly collections in the Bay Area are rarely disrupted by weather, major national holidays will trigger a slight shift in your pickup timeline. Richmond Sanitary Service officially observes Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. If your standard collection day falls on or immediately follows one of these three specific dates, your neighborhood route will be delayed by precisely 24 hours. Normal operating schedules immediately snap back into place at the start of the following week, ensuring minimal prolonged disruption.
Drop-off Facilities
West Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
101 Pittsburg Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free kitchen pail for food scraps in Richmond?
The City of Richmond offers free green waste kitchen pails to residents to help with SB 1383 compliance. You can pick yours up at the City Manager's Office (450 Civic Center Plaza) or at the Republic Services office (3260 Blume Dr).
Does the city offer any waste collection discounts for seniors or low-income households?
Yes. Richmond residents who are 62 years of age or older, or those actively participating in the PG&E CARE program, may be eligible for a $5 per month rate discount on their utility bill by calling Republic Services.
How many free bulky item pickups do I get every year?
Richmond residents living in single-family homes or buildings up to fourplexes can schedule up to 3 free bulky waste pickups per calendar year by calling Republic Services at least 10 workdays in advance.
What should I do with my old mattress if I don't want to wait for a bulky pickup?
Richmond residents can utilize the 'Bye Bye Old Mattresses' program by dropping off acceptable mattresses and box springs at the West Contra Costa County HHW Facility located at 101 Pittsburg Ave, Wednesday through Saturday.