Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Union City
Collections in California municipal routes run weekly (Mon-Fri). Your specific collection day is determined by your local neighborhood route.
State Mandate
Follow SB 1383 guidelines for food waste.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection and billing are managed by Republic Services, while recycling and compost collection are handled by Tri-CED Community Recycling. Residential waste charges are billed directly on a quarterly basis.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
A 15% discount is available for senior residents (65+) as well as low-income households enrolled in PG&E's CARE program.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Place your cart out by 6:00 AM on your scheduled pickup day with wheels against the curb. Maintain 2 feet of clearance between carts and 5 feet from other obstacles like parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Snack wrappers and chip bags
- ✓Styrofoam (polystyrene)
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Broken ceramics and glassware
- ✓Treated or painted wood
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Never bag your recyclables. All items must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the blue cart. Flatten all cardboard boxes so they fit entirely inside the container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (bottles, jugs, and tubs)
- ✓Clean paper, newspaper, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum cans, tin cans, and clean foil
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Hazardous materials and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Place all food scraps and yard trimmings directly into the green compost cart. Do not line the cart or your kitchen pail with standard plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Small tree branches and prunings
- ✓Meat, fish, poultry, and bones
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and dairy products
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Food-soiled paper products
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free collections per calendar year
Placement
Place approved items at the curb no earlier than 24 hours in advance, and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day. The total set-out cannot exceed an 8-cubic yard area.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and household furniture
- ✓ Major appliances (one of each type per event)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Clean, unfinished wood (max 4 ft long and tied)
- ✓ Bagged or bundled yard trimmings
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid paint
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt, tiles)
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors)
- ✕ Auto parts and tires
- ✕ Items exceeding 150 lbs or 5 feet in length
The first two bulky collections are free. Exceeding the size limit, weight limits, or requesting additional cleanups will result in additional bulky item collection fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, curbside collections for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day. For example, if your normal service day is Thursday, it will be delayed to Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
This one-day holiday delay applies uniformly to all three collection streams: the gray landfill, blue recycling, and green compost carts.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no disruption, and the regular weekday collection schedule remains unchanged.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to NovemberDuring the heavy autumn leaf drop, remember that all yard waste must fit inside your green compost cart with the lid closed. If you have excessive yard waste, you may utilize one of your free annual bulky item appointments to have bagged or bundled green waste collected.
Winter
December to JanuaryDuring the wet winter months, ensure the lids on all your carts remain tightly closed to prevent rainwater from accumulating inside. Saturated cardboard and paper in the blue bin become unrecyclable and will end up in the landfill.
Local Tips & Community Info
Understanding Union City Garbage and Recycling Services
In Union City, California, residential waste management is a collaborative effort designed to keep our community clean and green. Republic Services of Alameda County handles all general landfill garbage collection, while Tri-CED Community Recycling manages the city's residential recycling and compost programs. This dual-provider system ensures that household waste, yard trimmings, and recyclables are processed efficiently to meet state and local environmental goals. Whether you are moving into a new home or just need a refresher on local sanitation rules, understanding which company handles your specific bins is the first step toward hassle-free waste disposal.
Finding Your Weekly Trash Pickup Schedule
Your weekly collection day depends on your specific neighborhood within Union City. Residents are expected to have all carts placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on their designated morning to guarantee service. To find your exact pickup day or to view the local collection map, you can visit the Republic Services website or contact their Fremont-based customer care center. Remember to leave at least two feet of space between each bin and face the wheels toward the curb so the automated trucks can easily lift and empty them without damaging your property.
Navigating Recycling and Organics Collection
Tri-CED Community Recycling provides designated carts for mixed recyclables and organic waste. Your recycling bin is meant for clean, dry cardboard, paper, glass, hard plastics, and aluminum cans. No sorting is required, but breaking down cardboard boxes helps save space. The organics cart should be used for food scraps, soiled paper products, yard waste, and plant trimmings. Tri-CED even offers free kitchen pails to help residents easily transport food scraps to their outdoor compost bins. Proper sorting is critical, as contaminated recycling loads can end up in the landfill and may result in additional fees.
Scheduling Free Bulky Waste Pickups
Getting rid of old furniture, broken appliances, or large mattresses does not have to be a headache. Union City residents are eligible for up to two free bulky item collections every calendar year through Republic Services. This is a highly convenient option during spring cleaning or when replacing large household items. To take advantage of this service, you must contact Republic Services in advance to schedule a pickup date. Placing oversized items on the curb without an appointment violates local dumping ordinances and can lead to fines.
Safe Disposal for Batteries, Oil, and Electronics
Hazardous household items like batteries, motor oil, and old cell phones should never go into your standard trash or recycling carts. Fortunately, Tri-CED offers a specialized curbside collection for these materials. You can request free clear zip-top bags for batteries and phones, which can be placed directly on top of your recycling cart on collection day. For used motor oil and filters, request specialized jugs and bags from Tri-CED, and place them next to your carts. Tri-CED also operates a drop-off center on Western Avenue where you can bring electronic waste, books, and large cardboard loads for free.
Holiday Service Delays and Tree Recycling
During major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, waste collection schedules often shift by one day. If your regular pickup falls on or after a major holiday, expect your service to happen the following day for the remainder of that week. After the winter holidays, Union City offers seasonal tree recycling. Simply remove all stands, lights, tinsel, and decorations, cut the tree in half if it exceeds six feet, and place the natural, unflocked tree out on your regular collection day for composting.
Drop-off Facilities
Fremont Recycling & Transfer Station
41149 Boyce Road, Fremont, CA 94538
Materials Accepted
Tri-CED Community Recycling
33377 Western Avenue, Union City, CA 94587
Materials Accepted
Fremont Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
41149 Boyce Road, Fremont, CA 94538
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact to replace a broken trash or recycling cart in Union City?
Since Union City uses two different haulers, you must contact Republic Services at 510-657-3500 for issues with your gray landfill cart. For any issues regarding your blue recycling or green compost carts, you need to contact Tri-CED Community Recycling at 510-429-8030.
Why did my garbage billing switch from my property taxes to a quarterly bill?
As of July 2025, Republic Services transitioned to direct quarterly billing for all single-family residential collection services. This change was implemented to provide residents with a clearer understanding of the actual costs of their curbside services, although the annual stormwater fee still remains on the property tax bill.
What happens if I have more garbage than fits in my gray cart?
Overflow materials left on the ground next to your cart will not be collected. If you occasionally have extra trash, you must contact Republic Services to purchase a prepaid 'overage' bag. If you consistently have too much waste, you should consider upgrading to a larger landfill cart.
Where can I safely dispose of an old television or computer monitor?
Electronics and e-waste are not accepted in your curbside bins or during standard bulky item pickups. You should take electronic waste directly to the Fremont Household Hazardous Waste Facility on Boyce Road or contact Tri-CED for local e-waste recycling options.