Trash & Recycling in Berkeley, CA (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Berkeley Zero Waste Division provides weekly curbside collection of refuse, recycling, and compost. Carts must be at the curb by 6 a.m. on the scheduled day and removed by the end of collection day.
Berkeley Trash and Recycling Pickup
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) — Short-lived climate pollutants: organic waste: landfills
SB 1383, Lara. Short-lived climate pollutants: methane emissions: dairy and livestock: organic waste: landfills. This bill would require the state board, no later than January 1, 2018, to approve and begin implementing that comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants to achieve a reduction in methane by 40%, hydrofluorocarbon gases by 40%, and anthropogenic blac...
Bin Placement Rules
Berkeley requires residents to wheel City garbage, recycling and organics carts to the gutter on collection day and pull them back within 24 hours, unless a disability, age, or site condition qualifies them for backyard pickup.
Berkeley Curbside Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.34.020
On the designated day of collection, all occupants except those exempted in Section 12.34.040, shall place the City provided curbside cart in the gutter area or in a clearly accessible location at the curb when gutter placement is not possible. The cart must be placed so that it does not obstruct the right-of-way of traffic or the sidewalk... The occupant or their agent must remove the curbside...
Bulk Item Disposal
Any Berkeley property that lets more than one cubic yard of waste build up between collections must manage it as the environmental health manager directs, and over two cubic yards it must sit in fire-resistant containers at a Fire Chief-approved spot.
Berkeley Bulk Waste Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.32.040
A. In any premises where a volume of waste in excess of one cubic yard is allowed to accumulate between intervals of collection or disposal, such waste shall be managed in the manner specified by the manager of the environmental health division for the sanitary storage, collection or disposal of such waste on the premises. B. In addition to the requirements of subsection A of this section, in a...
Recycling Requirements
Berkeley requires separation of recyclables and organics from trash for all residents and businesses under BMC 11.28 and California SB 1383, with fines for contaminated or commingled loads.
Berkeley Mandatory Recycling and Composting
Some RestrictionsCalRecycle — SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
California's Organic Waste Reduction — SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy. To reduce methane pollution and other short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016). The law set targets for 2025: 75% less organic waste sent to landfills. 20% of unsold, still-edible food sent to food recovery organizations. Collections: All jurisdictions need to provide o...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping trash, litter or debris on Berkeley streets, parks or into creeks and other waterways is unlawful under BMC § 12.40.080, and dumping at an unapproved disposal site is separately banned under § 12.32.070. Both are enforced as infractions, with the City able to bill or lien the property for illegal accumulations it must remove.
Berkeley Illegal Dumping Penalties
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.40.080
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to throw or deposit, or to cause or to permit to be thrown or deposited, any dirt, paper, filth, sweepings, ashes, manure, garbage, filthy water, offal, straw, wood, stones, earth, grass, tree trimmings, garden trimmings, glass bottles, glass, nails, tacks, hoops, wire, cans, refuse matter or rubbish of any kind whatever, upon any avenue, stree...
Yard Waste Collection
Berkeley collects yard waste (grass, leaves, prunings) through the same City curbside cart system used for garbage and recycling, run by Public Works. Residents place the Organics cart at the curb on collection day; excess brush over one cubic yard needs Environmental Health sign-off, and over two cubic yards must sit in fire-resistant containers approved by the Fire Chief.
Berkeley Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.32.010(G)
"Yard waste" means grass, weeds, leaves, tree trimmings, plants, shrubbery prunings, and such other similar materials which are generated in the maintenance of yards, gardens or landscaping, and which are separated by the generator from other solid waste materials for the purpose of recycling or composting, and which are taken by the hauler to a recycling or composting facility.
Dumpster Rules
Berkeley bars placing any waste container besides the City's own inside a street or alley right-of-way. Property owners need specific Public Works authorization to keep a dumpster or roll-off at the curb even briefly.
Berkeley Dumpster Placement Restrictions
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.32.030(E)
No garbage containers or other containers for waste, other than those of the City, shall be placed, kept, stored or located within the right-of-way of a street or alley; provided, however, that the Public Works Department may authorize the location of such containers within the public right-of-way at specified places and times when such location is necessary for the expeditious collection and d...
Collection Schedule
Berkeley declares garbage collection an essential service performed exclusively by the City. Every owner whose property generates garbage must use and pay for City collection, with pickup at least weekly from private residences.
Berkeley Mandatory City Garbage Service
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.32.050
Garbage collection service is provided by the City, and all owners of premises and places in the City in or from which garbage is created, accumulated or produced shall use or cause to be used, and pay the fees charged for, the City's collection service. It is unlawful for any person, other than authorized agents or employees of the City, to collect, remove or dispose of garbage in the City... ...
Recycling Rules
Berkeley runs a municipal curbside recycling program under Chapter 12.36 and makes it unlawful for anyone but the City or its authorized agents to take metals, glass or paper left out for that program, protecting the material's value for the City.
Berkeley Curbside Recyclables Scavenging Ban
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 12.36.070
It shall be unlawful for any person, not otherwise excepted by the provisions of this chapter or as authorized in writing by the City Manager, to collect recycled materials from the curbside in the City. Any person violating any provision or failing to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction as set forth in Chapter 1.20 of this code.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
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