Mountain View vs Palo Alto
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Palo Alto, CA?
Mountain View and Palo Alto have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Recology is Mountain View's exclusive hauler for garbage, recycling, and organics. Containers go out no earlier than the evening before collection and must be removed by the end of service day.
View full Mountain View rules →Palo Alto, CA
Santa Clara County
GreenWaste of Palo Alto collects garbage, recycling, and compost weekly on assigned routes. Residents must place carts at the curb by 6:00 AM on pickup day and remove them within 24 hours.
View full Palo Alto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|
| Hauler | Recology Mountain View | GreenWaste of Palo Alto |
| Service frequency | Weekly | - |
| Carts provided | Gray trash, blue recycling, green organics | - |
| Set-out time | After 5 p.m. day before pickup | By 6:00 AM on pickup day |
| Removal | By end of collection day | - |
| Remove carts | - | Within 24 hours after pickup |
| Cart spacing | - | 3 feet apart, 3 feet from obstacles |
| Rate model | - | Pay-As-You-Throw by cart size |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
When is my pickup day?
Pickup day depends on your neighborhood. Use the Recology lookup tool on recology.com/mountain-view or call customer service with your address.
What happens on holidays?
When a major holiday falls on a weekday, Recology slides service by one day for the rest of the week. Check the holiday schedule on their website.
Palo Alto FAQ
Who is Palo Altos trash hauler?
GreenWaste of Palo Alto, a subsidiary of GreenWaste Recovery, holds the exclusive residential collection franchise for the city.
When do I set my carts out?
Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Putting them out the night before is typical, but they must be removed within 24 hours after pickup.
What if I miss my pickup?
Contact GreenWaste customer service or use the Palo Alto 311 app to request a missed-pickup return within 24 hours of your regular service day.
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