Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Santa Rosa
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Weekly on your trash collection day
Yard Waste
Weekly on your trash collection day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are contracted to Recology Sonoma Marin and billed directly by Recology rather than on your city water utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The Recology Cares program provides a 15% discount to Santa Rosa residents participating in the PG&E CARE program; discounted rates are also available for seniors 65 and older.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Hazardous waste, construction debris, electronics, and liquids are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged cat litter and animal feces
- ✓Mylar bags (chip bags, candy wrappers)
- ✓Diapers and feminine hygiene products
- ✓Ceramic dishware and glassware
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packing materials
- ✓Non-compostable plastics and plastic wrappers
- ✓Extinguished cigarette butts
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags; place items loose in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, unsoiled paper and non-waxed cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs (caps left on)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (metal lids included)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Junk mail, magazines, and cereal boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, wrappers, or film
- ✕Items labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'
- ✕Food scraps and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clothing or textiles
- ✕Batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
No 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' plastics allowed. Use paper bags or place materials loosely inside the green cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread, vegetables, shells)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (greasy pizza boxes, coffee filters, paper napkins)
- ✓Leaves, grass clippings, and weeds
- ✓Tree trimmings and branches (under 6 inches diameter and 4 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free pickups per year per residential account.
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb. No single item may exceed 4 feet by 4 feet by 2 feet, with the exception of household appliances and televisions.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, recliners, loveseats)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers)
- ✓ Large TVs and household electronics
- ✓ Water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquids and hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete, and asphalt
- ✕ Items with internal combustion engines (lawnmowers)
- ✕ Auto parts containing fluids
- ✕ Propane tanks
Items containing Freon (like refrigerators) will incur a $73.26 processing fee, even if utilizing a free bulky item pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, service for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, residential service usually remains on schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard waste are collected on the same delayed schedule as regular trash and recycling.
Not all Recology service areas observe the exact same holidays. For Santa Rosa specifically, holidays like Thanksgiving and Labor Day prompt service delays for the city, even if neighboring jurisdictions operate differently.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
November to JanuaryDuring heavy leaf drop season, ensure all yard debris is placed inside the green cart with the lid closed. Branches must be cut to less than 4 feet long and under 6 inches in diameter.
Winter Holidays
December to JanuaryNatural holiday trees can be recycled after Christmas. They must be cut up to fit inside your green organic cart with the lid closed, or you can schedule a pickup using one of your free annual bulky item collections.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning is the perfect time to utilize your two free annual bulky item collections offered by Recology Sonoma Marin. Remember that construction materials, rocks, dirt, and hazardous liquids are not accepted in these cleanups.
Local Tips & Community Info
Recology Sonoma Marin Collection Services
Residential refuse and recycling services in Santa Rosa are exclusively operated through a municipal partnership with Recology Sonoma Marin. This agency utilizes a standard three-cart system designed to maximize diversion from local landfills. On your scheduled service day, you must wheel your carts out by 6:00 a.m. Ensure the lids are fully shut and the containers are spaced out by at least two feet. This separation allows the mechanical collection trucks to swiftly grab and empty each bin without snagging or tipping the others.
The Green Compost Cart and Local Organics
As part of Sonoma County’s commitment to sustainability, Santa Rosa strictly enforces organic waste separation. Your green-lidded compost cart is intended for all yard trimmings, leaves, and everyday household food scraps. Residents should scrape their dinner plates, toss in coffee filters, and discard meat bones directly into this bin. Keeping food waste out of the landfill significantly reduces harmful methane gas production, transforming your household scraps into nutrient-rich compost for local agriculture.
Maximizing Your Blue Recycling Bin
To keep the recycling stream viable, the blue cart must remain free of contamination. Santa Rosa residents can recycle clean paper bags, flattened cardboard, empty glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. Recology stresses that items should be completely empty and reasonably dry. Never bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags, as the flexible plastic wraps around the gears at the sorting facility, causing massive delays and machinery damage.
What Belongs in the Gray Landfill Cart?
The gray cart serves as your final option for items that cannot be composted or recycled. This includes things like styrofoam packaging, heavily soiled paper, broken ceramics, snack wrappers, and pet waste. By carefully sorting your recyclables and organics first, most households discover that very little waste actually needs to go into the gray landfill cart.
Scheduling Bulky Waste Removals
If you are doing some spring cleaning or replacing furniture, Recology provides bulky item collection services to residential account holders. Instead of trying to cram large items into your curbside bins, you can contact their customer service center to schedule a dedicated pickup. This service is ideal for discarding old mattresses, broken appliances, and oversized yard debris that simply won't fit inside a standard container.
Disposing of Household Toxics Properly
Hazardous chemicals, wet paint, motor oil, and electronic waste must never be dumped into any of your three residential carts. Santa Rosa residents have access to the Sonoma County Household Hazardous Waste Facility for the safe disposal of these dangerous toxins. Dropping off household chemicals ensures they are processed safely, preventing severe environmental contamination in the local watershed.
Drop-off Facilities
Laguna Treatment Plant (Trucked Waste Program)
4300 Llano Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Materials Accepted
Recology Sonoma Marin Administration Office
3400 Standish Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put compostable plastic bags in my green organics cart in Santa Rosa?
No. Recology Sonoma Marin strictly prohibits 'biodegradable' or 'compostable' labeled plastics in the green bin, as regional compost facilities cannot break them down. Use standard paper bags or put your food scraps directly into the cart.
How long can I leave my trash bins on the curb in Santa Rosa?
The City of Santa Rosa enforces a strict 24-hour grace period. You may place your bins out no earlier than 24 hours before your collection day, and you must return them to a location out of public view within 24 hours after collection.
Does Recology pick up old refrigerators or mattresses for free?
Yes, residential customers in Santa Rosa receive two free bulky item collections per year (up to 3 cubic yards each). Mattresses and appliances are accepted, though items containing Freon, like refrigerators, will incur a $73.26 environmental processing fee.
What should I do if my recycling or trash bin overflows?
All lids must close completely to prevent litter and allow the automated trucks to lift the bins safely. If you have excess waste, you can request an extra bag pickup for a small fee, upgrade your cart size, or utilize one of your free bulky item pickups for larger overflow.