Trash Pickup Schedule Day • California

San Francisco, CA Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule (2026) — The Complete Guide

Official guide for San Francisco, CA: weekly trash, recycling (blue bin), compost (green bin),
bulky item pickup by appointment, holiday schedule changes, rates, and how to report missed service.

San Francisco in 10 seconds: Trash, recycling (blue), and compost (green) are typically weekly.
Sorting into the correct bin is required. Bulky pickup is by appointment. Holiday delays can shift service—always confirm on the official calendar.

📍 Address lookup (official) — Recology calendar

San Francisco collection services are managed by Recology San Francisco. Use the official calendar tool to confirm your exact pickup day.

  1. Open the official calendar page: Collection Calendar
  2. Enter your information to view your schedule.
  3. During holiday weeks, confirm service updates before set-out.
Customer Service: (415) 330-1300

🗓️ Weekly pickup & set-out rules

Put bins out on your assigned day, keep lids closed, and leave clearance so crews can service safely.
San Francisco requires sorting into the correct bin.

Frequencies

  • Trash (black): weekly
  • Recycling (blue): weekly
  • Compost (green): weekly

Set-out basics

  • Set bins out the night before or early morning on your service day
  • Leave ~2–3 ft clearance from obstacles and other bins
  • Lids should fully close (avoid overflow/contamination)

Before you report a miss

Check the official calendar for service updates (especially holiday weeks). If it’s still not collected, report it using the official missed pickup form.

♻️ Recycling — blue bin (accepted & not accepted)

Blue bin recycling is typically weekly. Keep recyclables empty, dry & loose (no bagged recyclables).
For a quick “what goes where” explainer too, see:
Trash vs. Recycling (US).

Accepted (typical)

  • Paper & flattened cardboard
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Metal cans (aluminum/steel)
  • Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, tubs)
  • Cartons

Not accepted

  • Plastic bags/film
  • Styrofoam
  • Batteries or electronics
  • Food waste (goes in the green bin)

🌱 Compost — green bin rules

San Francisco requires separating compostable materials into the green bin.

  • All food scraps
  • Food-soiled paper
  • Yard trimmings
  • No plastic, glass, or metal
Note: Composting is mandatory under San Francisco’s Zero Waste rules.

📦 Bulky item pickup (appointment)

Bulky items must be scheduled. Program limits can depend on property type—check the official page for eligibility and details.

  • Single-family (1–5 units): 2 free bulky pickups per year (per the Recology program page)
  • Multi-family (6+ units): program details vary—confirm eligibility
  • Appointment required

🎉 Holiday schedule (service shifts)

Some holidays affect collection. Based on the local program guidance: there’s typically no collection on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day,
and service shifts one day later for that week. Always confirm on the official calendar during holiday weeks.

Official calendar: Recology SF Collection Calendar

💲 Rates & cart sizes

San Francisco sets minimum weekly service volumes. Residents can request size adjustments through Recology.
For current pricing, use the official rates page.

🚚 Missed pickup — what to do

If your trash, recycling, or compost wasn’t collected:

  1. Confirm bins were out and accessible (and lids closed).
  2. Check for holiday delays using the official calendar.
  3. Report the missed pickup using the official form (Recology recommends reporting promptly).

🏗️ Special items — “What Goes Where” search

Not sure where an item goes (batteries, electronics, bulky materials, etc.)? Use the official search tool for guidance.

FAQ — San Francisco trash & recycling

What day is trash pickup in San Francisco, CA?

Trash, recycling, and compost are typically collected weekly, but routes vary by address. Use the Recology SF collection calendar to confirm your exact pickup day.

How often is recycling collected in San Francisco?

Recycling (blue bin) is typically collected weekly. Keep items empty, dry, and loose—no plastic bags or bagged recyclables.

Is compost mandatory in San Francisco?

Yes. Residents must separate food scraps and compostable materials into the green bin as part of the City’s zero-waste rules.

How do I schedule bulky item pickup in San Francisco?

Bulky pickups are by appointment through Recology. Program limits can vary by property type, so use the official bulky item page to schedule and confirm details.

Do holidays delay trash pickup in San Francisco?

Some holidays can affect service. There’s typically no collection on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, and service shifts one day later for that week.
Always confirm on the official collection calendar during holiday weeks.

Where can I check rates and cart sizes?

Use the official Recology SF rates page for current pricing and service details, and contact customer service if you need a cart size change.


☎️ Official links & contacts (San Francisco)