Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Luis Obispo
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your street address and neighborhood zone. You can find your specific collection day by entering your address into the online Waste Wizard on the San Luis Garbage website.
Recycling
Recycling (blue cart) is collected weekly on your regular collection day.
Yard Waste
Organics and yard waste (green cart) 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
Weekly recycling and organics collection are bundled with your garbage service at no extra fee, and single-family accounts receive access to biannual clean-up week pickups and free bulky item collections.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Qualifying low-income households enrolled in programs like PG&E CARE or the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) are eligible for a discount of 20% to 25% on standard cart service.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All non-hazardous solid waste must be bagged and fit inside the gray cart so the lid can fully close. Do not overload your cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
- ✓Compostable or biodegradable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Treated wood and broken glass
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, dry, and tossed loosely into the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables, as plastic bags interfere with the sorting facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Mixed paper, junk mail, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or shrink wrap
- ✕Food-soiled paper or pizza boxes
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
Yard Waste Bin
Do not bag your organics. Place food waste and yard trimmings loosely into the green cart. 'Compostable' or 'biodegradable' plastics are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Tree trimmings and small branches
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, fruits, veggies)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (100% plant fiber)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Three (3) free collections per year for single-family customers.
Placement
You must call San Luis Garbage at (805) 543-0875 at least 5 days before your collection day to schedule. Place items at the curb by 6:30 AM on the scheduled day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ E-Waste (TVs, microwaves)
- ✓ White goods and large appliances
- ✓ Scrap metal and furniture
- ✓ Bundled yard waste or lumber (under 4 feet)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items weighing more than 200 lbs
- ✕ Concrete or construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paints, motor oil)
- ✕ Unbundled carpet or wood longer than 4 feet
Additional bulky item pickups beyond the free yearly allocations can be scheduled for a discounted rate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
San Luis Garbage operates 364 days a year. If your collection day falls on or after Christmas Day, your service will be delayed by one day for that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The one-day delay for Christmas applies to all three carts: trash, recycling, and organics.
For all other major holidays, including Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, collection runs on a normal schedule without any delays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuarySan Luis Garbage operates 364 days a year, with Christmas Day being the only holiday that causes a one-day service delay. Following the holiday, you can place your natural, undecorated Christmas trees at the curb for collection.
Spring
April - MaySan Luis Garbage hosts one of its two annual Clean-Up Weeks during the spring. Be sure to call at least 5 days in advance to schedule your free bulky item pickup for this designated week.
Summer
June - AugustThe city strictly enforces its 'Roll in Your Cart' policy. Ensure your carts are fully screened from public view and not stored in your front yard during the summer months to avoid citations.
Local Tips & Community Info
Understanding the Residential Trash Schedule
In San Luis Obispo, residential waste collection is expertly managed by the San Luis Garbage Company, a part of Waste Connections. Collections occur on a consistent weekly basis. Residents can easily determine their specific pickup day by entering their home address into the online schedule lookup tool available on the provider's website. Having a reliable routine ensures your household waste is managed efficiently without unnecessary pileups. If you are ever unsure about your designated day, checking the interactive map or using the Recycle Right SLO County app is highly recommended.
Recycling and Organics Collection Guidelines
Sorting your household waste properly is a crucial part of the city's commitment to sustainability. Single-stream recycling and organics bins should be kept free of contaminants. The local Waste Wizard tool can help residents figure out exactly what goes into which cart. Remember that all recyclables should be loose, clean, and dry. Meanwhile, organics carts are designated for food scraps and green waste. Keeping hazardous materials, batteries, and electronic waste out of these standard curbside carts protects both the environment and sanitation workers.
Annual Clean-Up Weeks and Bulky Item Disposal
San Luis Garbage Company coordinates designated Clean-up Weeks during the spring and fall, typically in June and October for San Luis Obispo residents. During these special service periods, single-family households can place up to six extra 32-gallon bags of regular garbage beside their carts at no extra cost. For larger items like old furniture or appliances, bulk pickup must be scheduled at least three to five days prior to your collection day. Be mindful that concrete, hazardous waste, and extra-long pipes or lumber are prohibited from bulky collections.
Yard Waste and Organics Management
Proper disposal of yard debris is seamlessly integrated into the weekly collection routine. San Luis Obispo residents utilize a dedicated green waste bin for grass clippings, leaves, small branches, and household food scraps. This complies with California's state mandates like SB 1383 for organic waste reduction. Make sure your green material is placed loosely in the organics cart so that it can easily slide out during the automated collection process. Additional pickups can also be requested for a nominal fee if your gardening project exceeds the cart's capacity.
Holiday Schedule and Pickup Delays
San Luis Garbage operates 364 days a year to keep the city clean, with collection routes running on almost all major holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving. The only exception is Christmas Day. When Christmas falls on a weekday, all subsequent collections for that week will be delayed by exactly one day. For example, if Christmas is on a Wednesday, Wednesday routes will be serviced on Thursday, and Friday routes on Saturday. Keeping this simple rule in mind ensures you never miss a holiday collection.
Proper Cart Placement Rules
To guarantee a smooth pickup, carts must be positioned correctly on the street by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection morning. Place them flat against the curb with the arrows pointing toward the street. It is critical to leave at least three feet of clearance between each container, as well as keeping them three feet away from parked vehicles, mailboxes, or utility poles. This spatial gap allows the automated mechanical arms on the sanitation trucks to safely grasp and empty the carts without damaging personal property.
Missed Pickups and Extra Household Waste
If your bins were placed out on time but were inadvertently skipped, contact the San Luis Garbage customer service team at (805) 543-0875 promptly. For weeks when you produce more waste than your cart can hold—such as when the lid will not completely close—you can arrange for an extra pickup of regular household waste. Keep in mind that placing overflow garbage directly on the ground without scheduling in advance may result in additional capacity charges on your next bill.
Construction Debris and Special Services
Home renovations and large cleanouts often require more robust waste solutions than standard curbside bins. For significant projects, Coastal Rolloff, a sister organization to the local garbage company, provides roll-off dumpsters for both commercial and residential needs. Furthermore, specialized pickups for used motor oil or electronic waste can be scheduled directly through the online portal, offering San Luis Obispo residents a safe and compliant way to dispose of restricted materials without traveling to a centralized landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
Cold Canyon HHW Center
2268 Carpenter Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What holidays cause a delay in trash pickup in San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Garbage operates 364 days a year. The only holiday that causes a one-day delay in your collection service is Christmas Day [1.2.2]. For all other holidays, including Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, service runs normally.
How many extra bags can I put out during Clean-Up Week?
During the semi-annual Clean-Up Weeks, single-family residents can place up to 6 extra 32-gallon trash bags at the curb for free. Each bag must weigh less than 75 pounds and contain only landfill waste, with no organics or recyclables.
Can I use compostable bags for my food waste?
No. The SLO County Integrated Waste Management Authority strictly prohibits any plastics labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' in the green cart. All food scraps must be placed loosely into the organics bin.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup?
Single-family residents get three free bulky item collections per year. Two are allocated for the Clean-Up Weeks, and one can be used anytime. You must call San Luis Garbage at (805) 543-0875 at least five days before your collection day to schedule the pickup.