Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Vallejo
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood. Look up your specific pickup day by entering your address on the Recology Vallejo website.
Recycling
Collected every other week (bi-weekly) on your regular trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Organic and yard waste is collected weekly on your scheduled trash 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 billed directly by Recology Vallejo and include four free curbside bulky item pickups per calendar year for single-family residences.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Eligible residents enrolled in the PG&E CARE program can receive a 25% discount on their Recology service rate.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day with the handles facing the curb and the lid completely closed. Leave at least 3 feet of space between carts and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Compostable and biodegradable plastics (even BPI certified)
- ✓Diapers and feminine hygiene products
- ✓Pet waste and cat litter
- ✓Polystyrene foam packaging and bubble wrap
- ✓Chip bags, wrappers, and non-recyclable plastics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Empty all recyclables loosely into the blue container. Never place recyclables inside plastic bags. Lightly rinse out containers to ensure they are free of food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (with metal caps)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, and tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, film, and wrappers
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✕Electronic waste or batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put ANY plastic in the green cart, including bags labeled 'compostable'. Small amounts of cooking oil can be soaked up with a paper towel and included.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, seafood shells, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (greasy pizza boxes, coffee filters, paper towels)
- ✓Plant debris (flowers, leaves, weeds)
- ✓Tree trimmings (less than 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) free bulky item pickups per calendar year for single-family property owners.
Placement
You must call Recology Vallejo at (707) 552-3110 to schedule the pickup in advance. Apartment tenants must coordinate with their property manager to schedule a pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and bulky furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators and major appliances
- ✓ Excess bagged garbage
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, concrete, and construction debris
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Explosives or radioactive materials
If you exceed your four free annual pickups, or if you are a commercial customer, additional bulky item removals can be scheduled for an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Recology Vallejo operates as usual on all holidays EXCEPT Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your collection day falls on or after one of these three holidays, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the gray garbage cart.
For all other major holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, or Independence Day, Recology drivers operate on a normal schedule. Do not delay putting out your carts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - SeptemberTo combat extreme odors and fruit flies during hot Vallejo summers, Recology recommends storing your meat, dairy, and food scraps in a container in your freezer. Transfer the frozen scraps directly into your green cart the night before your collection day.
Winter
December - JanuaryIf your normal collection day falls on or immediately after Christmas Day or New Year's Day, your service will be delayed by one day. Recology also typically provides dedicated holiday tree collection during the weeks following Christmas.
Local Tips & Community Info
Your Vallejo Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule
Vallejo residents are serviced by Recology Vallejo in coordination with the City's Public Works Department. Regular residential garbage and recycling pickups occur once a week. Because Vallejo strictly enforces California's Senate Bill 1383, properly separating organic waste into your green bin is mandatory. To find your exact collection day, you can utilize the online calendar tool provided on the Recology Vallejo website or call their local support line at (707) 552-3110 to verify your route.
Holiday Schedule and Service Delays
Garbage collection in Vallejo runs reliably throughout the year, with routes operating on almost every holiday. There are only two observed holidays that cause a schedule shift: Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. If your normal pickup falls on or after one of these major winter holidays, expect a one-day delay for the remainder of that week. For all other holidays, including Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, Recology drivers work their standard daily routes without any interruption.
Proper Cart Placement and Missed Pickups
To ensure a seamless collection experience, place all your bins at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated morning. Position the containers at least three feet apart from one another and keep them clear of parked vehicles, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches. The arrows on the cart lids must point outward toward the street. If your trash or recycling is ever skipped despite following these placement guidelines, immediately contact Recology Vallejo customer service to report the missed pickup and arrange a courtesy retrieval.
Bulk Waste and Yard Trimmings Disposal
When it comes to larger household items that cannot fit into standard curbside bins, Vallejo provides excellent disposal alternatives. As part of their mandatory subscription, residents are entitled to specific bulky item pickup services at no additional cost. You can easily schedule the removal of old furniture, large broken appliances, and extra yard debris. Always keep organic yard waste like tree branches and grass clippings separate to support local composting programs and keep reusable materials out of the local landfill.
Recycling Rules and Neighborhood Sanitation Tips
Maintaining a clean recycling stream is essential for the city's sustainability goals. Make sure to empty and rinse all plastic bottles, glass jars, and aluminum cans before tossing them into the blue recycling cart. Flattening cardboard boxes helps maximize bin space. A crucial rule to remember is to never bag your recyclables; keep them loose in the container. Routinely washing your carts helps deter local pests and reduces unpleasant odors, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment for all Vallejo neighborhoods.
Drop-off Facilities
Napa-Vallejo Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
889A Devlin Road, American Canyon, CA 94503
Materials Accepted
Recology Vallejo-American Canyon Recycling Facility
2021 Broadway Street, Vallejo, CA 94589
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many free bulky item pickups do Vallejo residents get?
Single-family property owners in Vallejo are entitled to four free bulky item pickups every calendar year. Each pickup allows for up to 2 cubic yards of material (about ten 32-gallon bags). You must call Recology Vallejo to schedule.
Can I put compostable plastic cups in the green organic cart?
No. Recology Vallejo strictly prohibits all bioplastics and compostable plastics, including BPI-certified items, from the green organics cart. They do not break down efficiently at the local facility and must be placed in your gray landfill cart.
Will my garbage be picked up on Labor Day or Memorial Day?
Yes. Recology Vallejo works a normal schedule on almost all holidays, including Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. The only three holidays that cause a one-day service delay are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
How should I dispose of used cooking oil?
Small amounts of cooking grease or oil can be soaked up with a paper towel and tossed directly into your green organics cart. Large quantities should be contained and taken to the Napa-Vallejo Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.