Pickup Rules & Schedules: Redwood City vs San Mateo
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Redwood City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Redwood City and San Mateo have similar restriction levels.
Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
In the unincorporated Service Area, County Code Chapter 4.04 establishes mandatory minimum residential collection — garbage, recycling, and organics carts picked up once a week. Recology San Mateo County serves franchised areas including County Service Area 8 (North Fair Oaks); other unincorporated pockets are served by GreenWaste, Republic Services, South San Francisco Scavenger, or Kunz Valley Trash under non-exclusive franchises.
View full Redwood City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
Recology San Mateo County provides weekly curbside collection of trash, recyclables, and organic waste. SB 1383 requires organic waste separation. Bins must be at the curb by collection morning and retrieved by evening.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Redwood City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Governing chapter | County Code Chapter 4.04 | - |
| Collection frequency | Weekly (garbage, recycling, organics) | - |
| Franchised hauler (CSA-8/franchise areas) | Recology San Mateo County | - |
| Non-exclusive franchise haulers | GreenWaste, Republic, SSF Scavenger, Kunz Valley | - |
| Mandatory minimum service | Yes — residential Service Area parcels | - |
| Billing | Minimum service via property tax | - |
| Provider | - | Recology SM County — 650-595-3900 |
| Collection | - | Weekly — varies by area |
| Three Carts | - | Trash (gray), recycling (blue), organics (green) |
| SB 1383 | - | Organic waste separation required |
| Diversion Goal | - | 75% statewide target |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Redwood City FAQ
How often is trash collected in unincorporated San Mateo County?
The minimum residential service provides one garbage, one recycling, and one organics cart, each collected once a week. Your exact service day depends on your hauler and location; Recology customers can look up their day on the hauler's site or by phone.
Who is my garbage hauler if I live in an unincorporated area?
It depends on where you live. Recology San Mateo County serves franchised areas including County Service Area 8 (North Fair Oaks). Other unincorporated pockets are served under non-exclusive franchises by GreenWaste, Republic Services, South San Francisco Scavenger, or Kunz Valley Trash.
San Mateo FAQ
What day is trash pickup?
Collection day varies by neighborhood. Contact Recology at 650-595-3900 or check their website.
Do I have to separate food scraps?
Yes. SB 1383 requires food scraps and organic waste in the green bin.
What goes in the blue bin?
Paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum/tin cans, and plastics #1-7. Check Recology guidelines for details.
Compare other topics
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