Grey or Black Bin (Trash)
Place carts out before 7:00 am on collection day. Lids must be fully closed to prevent litter and deter pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam (#6 polystyrene)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All items MUST be empty, clean, and dry. Extra cardboard must be cut into 4'x4' sections and placed alongside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and non-metallic wrapping paper
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum cans and clean foil
- ✓Plastics (#1-#7 except #6)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam/Polystyrene (#6)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Clothing and textiles
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place yard trimmings in plastic bags. Do not include painted wood, dirt, or rocks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and brush
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-call year-round (fee applies) or during the Annual Cleanup Campaign (free).
Placement
Everything must be ready at the curb prior to 6:00 am on your scheduled pickup day. Do not block sidewalks, bike lanes, or fire hydrants.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Major appliances (non-freon)
- ✓ Rugs
- ✓ Large yard trimmings
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Ammunition and explosives
- ✕ E-waste with lithium batteries
- ✕ Contractor demolition debris
- ✕ Pressure treated wood
The On-Call service costs approximately $197.52 per service trip. Free alternatives include the Annual Cleanup Campaign or registering for specific Free Disposal Drop-off days throughout the year.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular service day falls on or after an observed holiday during the work week, your collection will be delayed by one day, with Friday routes serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays to the regular weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Leave the #6 Behind
Styrofoam (Polystyrene #6) is strictly prohibited in Santa Clara's blue recycling bins. Always place foam packaging and takeout containers directly in the garbage cart.
Bagging Extra Garbage
If your trash cart is overflowing, you cannot just leave loose bags on the curb. You must purchase an official Extra Garbage Bag Tag from a city facility for your extra 32-gallon bag to be collected.
Keep Recyclables Loose
Never bag your general recyclables. The only exception is for grocery, produce, and dry cleaning bags, which must be bundled together inside a single clear plastic bag before going in the blue bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryHoliday trees are collected curbside on regular collection days. Remove all ornaments and stands. Flocked trees are not recyclable, must be broken down, and placed in the regular garbage to prevent stormwater pollution.
Spring
April - MayThe Annual Cleanup Campaign takes place during the spring months, allowing residents to legally place bulk items curbside without scheduling fees. Bulk bags for heavy materials can be purchased at the Municipal Utility Services Counter at City Hall.
About Santa Clara Waste Management
Streamlined Trash and Recycling in Santa Clara
The City of Santa Clara operates a comprehensive dual-hauler waste management system to keep Silicon Valley clean. Mission Trail Waste Systems handles household garbage and clean green yard trimmings, while Recology South Bay is dedicated solely to processing recyclables. By effectively separating collection duties, the city maximizes landfill diversion and ensures highly efficient curbside processing.
Utilizing the On-Call Bulky Item Program
When you have excess waste that won't fit inside your standard bins, Santa Clara residents have several distinct options. The city offers an On-Call Bulky Item Collection Program where, for a flat fee, you can schedule the removal of up to three large items alongside two provided debris bags. This service must be scheduled directly through Mission Trail Waste Systems, and advance notice is required before setting items at the curb.
Taking Advantage of the Annual Cleanup Campaign
To help residents offload major clutter without incurring fees, Santa Clara hosts an Annual Cleanup Campaign in the spring. During this specific window, residents are permitted to set out designated large appliances, furniture, and bagged debris right at their curb. Because unauthorized dumping outside this period carries heavy fines, utilizing this official campaign is the most cost-effective way to safely dispose of major household cleanouts.
Handling Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Santa Clara strictly prohibits the disposal of batteries, paints, solvents, and electronic waste in any standard cart. Instead, locals can access free drop-off events scheduled throughout the year by simply bringing a current collection bill and identification. To further simplify things, residents can schedule specific drop-off appointments through the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program, ensuring harmful chemicals stay out of local waterways and the storm drain system.
Drop-off Facilities
Recology South Bay Transfer Station
1675 Rogers Ave, San Jose, CA 95112
Materials Accepted
Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
San Jose permanent facility (Address provided upon appointment)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of excess cardboard that won't fit in my recycling cart in Santa Clara?
Extra cardboard must be flattened, neatly stacked into 4'x 4' sections, and placed directly alongside your blue recycling cart on your normal collection day.
Can I put my kitchen food scraps in the yard trimming cart?
No. Under Santa Clara's current compliance with SB1383 via Mixed Waste Processing, no additional sorting into the green cart is required for residential homes. Place your food scraps in your standard garbage cart, and it will be sorted out at the processing facility.
What should I do if my garbage pickup is missed by Mission Trail?
If your cart was missed, leave it at the curb and contact Mission Trail Waste Systems at 408-727-5365 within 24 hours. Because they use a two-pass system, your garbage and yard waste are collected by different trucks at different times of the day, so wait to see if the second truck arrives before calling.
Where can I buy Extra Garbage Bag Tags in Santa Clara?
Extra Bag Tags for overflow trash can be purchased for $7.91 each at the Municipal Utilities Customer Service Window at City Hall or at various city library branches including Central Park, Mission Branch, and Northside Branch.