Trash & Recycling in San Jose, CA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
San Jose provides curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and organics through a contracted waste hauler. Collection occurs weekly on assigned days. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day with handles facing the house. Carts should be set out no earlier than 5:00 PM the day before collection and retrieved by midnight on collection day. The City provides three carts: blue for recycling, green for organics/yard waste, and brown/gray for garbage.
San Jose Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB1383 (2015-2016 Session)
39730.6. (a) Consistent with Section 39730.5, methane emissions reduction goals shall include the following targets to reduce the landfill disposal of organics: (1) A 50-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020. (2) A 75-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025. (b) Except a...
Bin Placement Rules
San Jose requires carts to be placed at the curb with lids closed and handles facing the house, at least 3 feet apart from each other and from obstacles such as vehicles, mailboxes, and utility poles. Carts must be placed on the street side of the sidewalk with wheels touching the curb. On streets without curbs, carts should be placed at the edge of the roadway. Carts must not block sidewalks, driveways, or bike lanes.
San Jose Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
San Jose offers free bulky item pickup for residential customers through the City's waste collection program. Residents may schedule up to two free bulky item pickups per year for items such as furniture, appliances, mattresses, and large electronics. Items must be placed at the curb on the scheduled day. The City also operates the San Jose Reuse and Recycling Center for drop-off of large items, construction debris, and materials not accepted in curbside collection.
San Jose Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
San Jose mandates recycling and organics diversion under SJMC Chapter 9.10 and California's SB 1383 (organics recycling) and AB 341 (commercial recycling). All residents and businesses must separate recyclables and organic waste from garbage. The City's three-cart system makes source separation mandatory. Commercial generators producing 2+ cubic yards of waste per week must have recycling service. Multi-family properties with 5+ units must provide recycling and organics collection per SB 1383.
San Jose Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsMandatory Organics Recycling
California Senate Bill 1383 requires every San Jose household and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash starting 2022. San Jose's residential haulers (GreenWaste, Recology, Garden City) collect organics weekly, with violations subject to escalating administrative fines.
California SB-1383 Forces Organics Collection at San Jose Homes
Some RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
San Jose offers weekly curbside yard-trimmings pickup as a loose pile placed at the curb, plus optional cart service. Materials are mulched or composted under California SB 1383. Christmas trees are collected free for two weeks after Christmas.
San Jose Yard Trimmings Curbside Collection
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Santa Clara County →