San José Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule (2025)
Complete guide for San José, CA: weekly garbage & recycling, weekly yard trimmings (street pile or cart), FREE junk pickup appointments, holiday changes, rates, and how to report missed service.
Garbage (Black Cart)
Weekly curbside collection (Mon–Fri, 6 a.m.–6 p.m.). Set carts out by 6 a.m.; lids closed. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Recycling (Blue Cart)
Weekly single-stream recycling for residential homes/mobile home parks (apartments/condos vary by complex). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Yard Trimmings
Weekly collection — either loose in the street (most areas) or via optional green cart subscription. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
📍 Address Lookup (Official)
Use San José’s Residential Services Lookup to see your collection company and exact pickup day(s) for garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
🗓️ Weekly Pickup & Set-out Rules
- All materials weekly: garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings are collected once per week (Mon–Fri, 6 a.m.–6 p.m.). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Set-out: carts at curb/alley by 6 a.m., lids fully closed, ~3 ft clearance from obstacles. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Apartments/condos: collection frequency varies; check with property manager. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- SB 1383 (Organics): San José’s residential program is compliant; food/food-soiled paper go in garbage (organics recovered at the MRF). Keep food out of recycling and out of yard trimmings. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Oil jugs/filter bags: request via 311 for curbside used-oil pickup. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
♻️ Recycling — Accepted & Not Accepted
Accepted (Blue Cart)
- Paper & cardboard (flattened)
- Glass bottles & jars
- Metal cans (aluminum/steel)
- Rigid plastics (#1–#7, bottles/jugs/tubs/trays)
Not Accepted
- Plastic bags/film; tanglers (hoses/cords)
- Food, liquids, foam
- HHW/e-waste (see county HHW)
🌿 Yard Trimmings (Street Pile or Cart)
- Weekly yard trimmings collection. Many neighborhoods use loose-in-street piles; others use a green cart (subscription in most areas). Use the Lookup to check your method and sweep day. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- Accepted: branches, grass/leaves, palm fronds, sod (shake soil), Christmas trees. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
📦 Free Junk Pickup (Bulky Items)
- FREE appointments via 311 — same-day(s) as your regular service; up to 12 items per appointment. Unlimited appointments permitted. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Examples: sofas, mattresses, appliances (see accepted items list). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
🎉 Holiday Schedule
- Collection occurs on all holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. If these fall Mon–Fri, service is one day later for the rest of that week. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
🚚 Missed Pickup — What to Do
- Confirm set-out time (by 6 a.m.), lids closed, and access clear. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
- If still missed after 6 p.m., report via **San José 311** (web/app) or call **(408) 535-3500**. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
💲 Cart Sizes & Rates
Single-family rates include **weekly garbage, recycling, yard trimmings**, and **unlimited junk pickup**. See current fees (effective Jul 1, 2025) and cart sizes (32/64/96 gal and above). :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
| Example Cart Size | What’s Included |
|---|---|
| 32 / 64 / 96 gal | Weekly garbage + recycling + yard trimmings, plus free junk pickup appointments. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19} |
📞 Contacts & 311
- San José 311: services lookup, missed collection, junk pickup, oil jugs/filter bags — (408) 535-3500 or web/app. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
- Service Providers: GreenWaste Recovery (yard trimmings & some areas), GreenTeam of San José, Garden City Sanitation — routing depends on address (use Lookup). :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
- County HHW: Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste program (appointments). :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
🔗 Data Sources
- Residential Services Lookup :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
- Residential Homes — Collection & Setouts :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
- SanJoseRecycles.org — Official Guide :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
- Yard Trimmings — Guide :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
- Free Junk Pickup (City) :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
- Junk Pickup — How It Works :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
- SB 1383 in San José :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
- Rates & Billing :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
- GreenWaste Recovery — San José :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
- GreenTeam of San José :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}
- Garden City Sanitation :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}