Black Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb with wheels against the curb and handles facing the house. Do not overflow the cart; the lid must close.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged cat litter and pet waste [1.2.4]
- ✓Ceramic dishware and broken glassware
- ✓Mylar wrappers and chip bags
- ✓Plastics labeled 'biodegradable' only
- ✓Diapers and feminine hygiene products
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Ensure all containers are empty and dry. Keep items loose in the cart—never bundle recyclables in plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, non-waxed cardboard [1.2.2]
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (metal lids included)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastics numbered 1-7 (bottles, tubs, clamshells)
- ✓Shredded paper (must be sealed inside a labeled paper bag)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✕Foam packaging
- ✕Window glass and drinking glasses
Yard Waste Bin
Do not include dirt, rocks, concrete, animal waste, or any non-certified plastics. Materials must fit entirely inside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Kitchen food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, vegetables) [1.2.4]
- ✓Yard trimmings, leaves, and small branches
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✓Bio-plastics labeled 'compostable' displaying a green/brown stripe
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free On-Call Collections per fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th) for residential customers.
Placement
Collections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and take place on your regular service day. Be prepared to provide an itemized list when calling.
Accepted
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Bagged household garbage
- ✓ Electronic waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste [1.1.4]
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Liquids, rock, dirt, or hot ashes
- ✕ Items exceeding five feet in length
Items weighing over 200 lbs may require an extra fee. If you exceed your two free pickups, additional collections can be scheduled for a charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Recology San Bruno only observes Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If your regular collection day falls on or after one of these two holidays, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
No exceptions. The green organics cart follows the exact same delayed schedule as the trash and recycling carts.
Service occurs completely as normal on all other holidays, including Thanksgiving, Labor Day, and Independence Day. Always place carts out on your scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Properly Package Shredded Paper
Loose shredded paper creates a massive mess at the recycling sorting facility. Recology San Bruno requires you to place all shredded paper inside a folded paper bag, clearly label the outside as "shredded paper," and then drop that sealed bag into your blue cart.
Beware the 'Biodegradable' Trap
Products marketed as 'biodegradable' often contain petroleum plastics that simply break down into micro-plastics. In San Bruno, these items belong in the black trash cart. Only use items explicitly labeled 'compostable' with a distinct green or brown stripe for your green bin.
Keep Mylar and Foil Pouches Out
Shiny wrappers, potato chip bags, and juice pouches (like Capri Sun) are made of blended materials—usually plastic fused with aluminum. Because they cannot be separated, these Mylar and foil-lined items must always go into the black landfill cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Recology offers curbside Christmas tree collection. Trees must be stripped of all ornaments and lights. Depending on the exact weeks, you must either cut the tree to fit entirely inside your green compost cart with the lid closed, or place it next to your bins.
Spring
April - MaySan Bruno often hosts a Spring Community Drop Off Day and Compost Giveaway. Residents can safely dispose of unwanted bulk items, e-waste, and latex paint, while taking home a free bucket of nutrient-rich compost for spring gardening.
Year-Round
January - DecemberThe City sponsors community programs like Operation Clean Sweep (an annual litter clean-up event) and Clean Your Files Day for secure document shredding and recycling.
About San Bruno Waste Management
San Bruno's Exclusive Recology Partnership
The City of San Bruno operates its residential solid waste program through an exclusive franchise agreement with Recology San Bruno. This means that all single-family and commercial properties receive standardized, high-quality collection via a mandated three-cart system. Residents cannot opt for competing haulers, ensuring streamlined routing and robust compliance with San Mateo County's strict landfill diversion goals.
SB 1383 Compliance and Specialized Bio-Plastics
To combat methane emissions in compliance with California's SB 1383, San Bruno residents must separate all organic matter—including kitchen food scraps, soiled paper, and yard trimmings—into their green compost cart. Notably, Recology San Bruno allows specific compostable plastics in the green bin, but they have a strict requirement: the item must be labeled "compostable" and prominently display a green or brown stripe. Standard plastics labeled merely as "biodegradable" will ruin the compost and must be trashed.
Maximizing Your Annual On-Call Bulky Collections
Rather than waiting for a rigid city-wide cleanup week, San Bruno residents are empowered to schedule their own bulky item removals. Every residential customer receives two free On-Call Collections per fiscal year, running from July 1st through June 30th. You can utilize them separately for up to three cubic yards of waste per pickup, or combine both allocations simultaneously to clear out up to six cubic yards of garage clutter in a single appointment.
Utilizing the San Bruno Transfer Station
Hazardous materials like wet latex paint, motor oil, fluorescent tubes, and car batteries cannot be tossed into standard curbside carts. Fortunately, residents have local access to the San Bruno Transfer Station located at 101 Tanforan Avenue. This facility serves as a convenient drop-off point for household hazardous waste (HHW) and difficult-to-recycle items, ensuring toxic chemicals stay out of local waterways and soils.
Drop-off Facilities
San Bruno Transfer Station [1.1.4]
101 Tanforan Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my trash schedule change for Thanksgiving in San Bruno?
No. Recology San Bruno operates on all holidays except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day [2.2.1]. Your trash will be collected on its normal schedule during Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup for my old couch?
San Bruno residential customers receive two free On-Call Collections every fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). You must call Recology San Bruno at (650) 583-8536 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the pickup for your regular service day.
Can I put compostable plastic bags or cups in the green bin?
Yes, but with strict limitations. Recology San Bruno only accepts bio-plastics in the green cart if they are clearly labeled 'compostable' AND prominently display a green or brown stripe. Items simply labeled 'biodegradable' must go in the trash.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and motor oil?
Household hazardous waste like paint, motor oil, and batteries cannot go in your curbside bins. You can drop these items off safely at the San Bruno Transfer Station located at 101 Tanforan Avenue. Call ahead to verify operating hours.