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
!Contamination Tips
Beware Faux Compostables
Plastic cups, utensils, and bags labeled as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' cannot be processed by Richmond's composting facilities. These items must go in your black or brown trash cart.
Keep Recyclables Loose
Never place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags. The plastic film tangles around the sorting gears at the Republic Services material recovery facility and slows down operations.
Batteries Spark Fires
Never throw batteries or electronic waste into your curbside bins. They are a severe fire hazard. Richmond residents can drop them off safely and for free at the West Contra Costa County HHW Facility on Pittsburg Ave.
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.
About Richmond Waste Management
Maximizing Your Richmond Residential Waste Services
The City of Richmond partners exclusively with Republic Services to provide weekly solid waste collection for all single-family and multi-family residences. Richmond households utilize a standard three-cart system, and because monthly service rates are determined strictly by the size of your black or brown garbage cart, residents are highly incentivized to accurately sort their recyclables and organics. Downsizing your trash cart while maximizing your blue and green bins is the easiest way to lower your monthly utility bill in West Contra Costa County.
Compliance with SB 1383 and Free Kitchen Pails
To meet California’s SB 1383 organics mandate, all Richmond residents must dispose of food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper—directly into their green organics cart alongside yard trimmings. To make this transition easier, the City of Richmond offers free green waste kitchen pails to all residents. You can pick up your complimentary pail at either the City Manager’s Office at the Civic Center Plaza or the local Republic Services West Contra Costa Office.
Utilizing Richmond's Neighborhood Dumpster Days
One of the most unique aspects of Richmond's waste management program is the free Neighborhood Dumpster Days held throughout the spring, summer, and fall. In partnership with Republic Services, Sims Metal, and local neighborhood councils, the city places temporary dumpsters in specific neighborhoods for a Saturday morning cleanup event. Postcards are mailed weeks in advance, and residents with disabilities or seniors can even schedule a free curbside pickup on the Friday prior to their neighborhood's designated event.
Generous Bulky Item and E-Waste Allowances
When it comes to large cleanouts, Richmond provides some of the most flexible options in the Bay Area. Eligible residential households receive up to three free bulky waste pickups per calendar year. You must call Republic Services at least ten workdays in advance, but the options are incredibly versatile: you can choose to discard up to fifteen 35-gallon bags of debris, five electronic waste items, 1.8 cubic yards of uncontainerized waste, or schedule a once-a-year pickup of up to three major furniture or appliance items.
Financial Relief: Senior Discounts and Carry-Out Programs
Richmond goes above and beyond to ensure waste services are accessible and affordable for everyone. Residents who are 62 years of age or older, or those participating in the PG&E CARE program, are eligible for a $5 monthly rate discount. Additionally, households where no occupants are physically able to transport carts to the curb can enroll in a free On-Premise Carry-Out Service, provided they submit an annual medical certification of disability to Republic Services.
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.