Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Jose
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as trash.
Yard Waste
Yard trimmings are collected weekly on your regular collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Single-family residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste services are billed directly through your Santa Clara County Secured Property Tax bill rather than a separate monthly utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax, Online, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Free on-premise collection assistance is available for residents with qualifying disabilities who are unable to roll carts to the curb.
Black Bin (Trash)
Because San Jose sorts organics at the MRF, you MUST put all food scraps into your black garbage cart. Do not place food scraps in the street yard waste pile. Carts must be set out by 6:00 a.m. with the lid closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Kitchen food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam) and packing peanuts
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items should be empty, clean, and loose. Never place recyclables inside plastic garbage bags. Break down all cardboard boxes to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film plastics
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (must go in black cart)
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Textiles and clothing
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard trimmings loose in the street at least 1 foot away from the curb and 5 feet away from parked cars, or use an optional green subscription cart. Absolutely NO food scraps or pet waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Tree branches (cut to fit limits)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Unlimited (Must be scheduled by appointment in advance)
Placement
Place items at least 3 feet away from all other objects (cars, fences, mailboxes). Do not stack items. If rain is expected, cover any water-retaining items (like mattresses or sofas) in plastic.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Refrigerators and large appliances
- ✓ Televisions and computers
- ✓ Tires (limits apply)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Glass, mirrors, or items with sharp edges
- ✕ Items with untreated bed bugs
Junk Pickup is completely free for San Jose residents. However, setting items out without a confirmed appointment is strictly enforced as illegal dumping and may result in heavy fines.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection occurs on all holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If these holidays occur Monday through Friday, collection will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trimmings piles and recycling carts follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard black garbage carts.
Service occurs completely normally on all other holidays, including July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryThe curbside collection of holiday trees runs on your regular collection day until January 30th. Remove all stands, tinsel, and decorations. Cut the tree into 5-foot pieces and set it out by 6 a.m.
Rainy Season
November - MarchWhen rain is forecast, try to delay putting loose yard trimmings in the street until right before collection day to prevent materials from washing into and clogging neighborhood storm drains.
Local Tips & Community Info
Getting Ready for San Jose Trash Day
To keep San Jose neighborhoods tidy, the Environmental Services Department requires all residential carts to be wheeled to the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your specific service day, but not before the prior day. When positioning your containers, make sure the wheels are touching the curb and leave at least two feet of space between each bin. It is also crucial to maintain a five-foot clearance from parked cars, yard trimming piles, and basketball hoops to ensure the collection trucks can grab them easily. Lids should be fully closed to prevent litter, and if you have flattened cardboard, you can simply lean it against your recycling cart.
Yard Trimmings and Loose Street Piles
Unlike many other municipalities, San Jose provides unique flexibility for disposing of yard waste. Residents can either utilize a designated yard trimmings cart or place organic debris in loose piles directly on the street. If you opt for the loose pile method, keep the mound no larger than five feet by five feet, and position it about one foot away from the curb so water can flow underneath. Ensure these piles are at least five feet away from your garbage carts and parked vehicles. Also, any branches must be cut to less than five feet in length and under six inches in diameter.
Dealing with Extra Garbage and Heavy Load Limits
The City of San José Municipal Code enforces strict weight capacities to protect both the carts and the automated truck arms. For instance, a standard 32-gallon bin is capped at 100 pounds, while the massive 96-gallon cart can hold up to 250 pounds. If you occasionally generate more trash than your cart can accommodate, you cannot simply leave extra bags on the curb for free. Residents must purchase a special extra garbage sticker for $7.00, which can be bought at local libraries, Safeway stores, or San Jose City Hall. Stick this label onto a 32-gallon plastic bag weighing no more than 60 pounds and set it beside your regular container.
Holiday Delays and Reporting a Missed Stop
The city's waste haulers operate throughout most of the year, observing only three major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your normal garbage day falls on or after one of these dates during the workweek, your collection will be delayed by a single day for the remainder of that week. For all other holidays, service occurs as normally scheduled. If your block is entirely missed or your bins remain full after 6:00 p.m. on your scheduled date, you can quickly report the oversight by dialing 3-1-1 or visiting the SanJoseCA.gov/311 platform.
Disposing of Bulky Household Junk
When it is time to clear out old mattresses, broken appliances, or large pieces of furniture, do not abandon them on the sidewalk. San Jose provides a complimentary Junk Pickup program for single-family homes and most multi-family dwellings. Using the San Jose 311 app or website, you can request a scheduled pickup for bulky goods without incurring any additional charges. Taking advantage of this free municipal service helps reduce illegal dumping and keeps the community's streets looking beautiful, all while keeping oversize items out of your standard collection carts.
Drop-off Facilities
Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program
Various drop-off locations assigned upon appointment booking
Materials Accepted
Leo Blanco / GreenWaste Materials Recovery Facility
625 Charles St, San Jose, CA 95112
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Jose require a green bin for kitchen food scraps?
No! Unlike most California cities, San Jose utilizes a mixed waste processing system. You must place all kitchen food scraps, meat, bones, and food-soiled paper directly into your black garbage cart. The city sorts the organic waste out at a specialized facility to turn it into compost.
Can I really put my yard waste directly in the street?
Yes. San Jose's default yard trimmings service allows you to place grass, leaves, and branches loose in the street. Piles must be no larger than 5' by 5', placed 1 foot from the curb, and kept 5 feet away from parked cars. Do not put any food waste in these piles.
How do I schedule a free bulky item pickup in San Jose?
San Jose offers unlimited free bulky item pickups for residents. You simply need to request an appointment through the San José 311 app, visit 311.sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3500. Never place items at the curb without a confirmed appointment, as you could be fined for illegal dumping.
Which holidays delay trash collection in San Jose?
There are only three holidays that disrupt your collection schedule: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your normal pickup falls on or after these days during a weekday, it will be delayed by one day. You should set your carts out on your normal day for all other holidays.