Pickup Rules & Schedules: Berkeley vs Oakland
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Oakland, CA?
Berkeley has fewer restrictions than Oakland.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
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.
View full Berkeley rules →Oakland, CA
Alameda County
Oakland provides weekly curbside collection of trash, recycling, and organics/compost. California's SB 1383 mandates organics diversion, making composting participation mandatory. Waste Management of Alameda County handles collection.
View full Oakland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | City of Berkeley Zero Waste Division | - |
| Frequency | Weekly for all three streams | - |
| Set-out time | By 6 a.m. on service day | - |
| Phone | (510) 981-7270 | - |
| Authority | BMC Chapter 11.28 | - |
| Collection | - | Weekly — trash, recycling, and organics |
| Organics | - | Mandatory per CA SB 1383 |
| Set-Out | - | By 6 AM on collection day |
| Zero Waste Goal | - | 2030 |
| SB 1383 Penalty | - | Starting at $50 for non-compliance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Who picks up trash in Berkeley?
The City of Berkeley runs municipal collection directly through its Zero Waste Division, not a private hauler.
When should I put my carts out?
After 6 p.m. the night before and no later than 6 a.m. on your collection day, then returned to their storage area by end of day.
Oakland FAQ
Is composting mandatory in Oakland?
Yes. California SB 1383 requires all residents to separate food scraps and organic waste into the green compost bin. This is a statewide mandate enforced locally.
How often is trash collected?
All three streams (trash, recycling, organics) are collected weekly on your designated day.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and Oakland compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool