Recycling Requirements: San Mateo vs South San Francisco
How do recycling requirements rules compare between San Mateo, CA and South San Francisco, CA?
San Mateo and South San Francisco have similar restriction levels.
San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
Recycling is mandatory in San Mateo. AB 341 requires businesses with 4+ cubic yards of waste to recycle. SB 1383 mandates organic waste diversion. Recology provides blue recycling bins to all residents. Multi-family properties must provide recycling access.
View full San Mateo rules →South San Francisco, CA
San Mateo County
Recycling is part of the mandatory minimum residential service under County Code Chapter 4.04, with single-stream recyclables collected weekly alongside garbage and organics. The County franchise color scheme is gray/black for garbage, blue for recycling, and green for compost. Electronics are banned from the trash, and businesses and multifamily properties must provide recycling containers under state law.
View full South San Francisco rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Mateo | South San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Blue bin — Recology | - |
| AB 341 | Businesses 4+ cu yd must recycle | - |
| SB 1383 | Organic waste diversion required | - |
| Multi-Family | Must provide recycling access | - |
| Provider | Recology — 650-595-3900 | - |
| Recycling in minimum service | - | Yes — weekly single-stream cart |
| Cart colors | - | Gray/black garbage, blue recycling, green compost |
| Accepted (Recology) | - | Paper, cardboard, glass, cans, plastic bottles/tubs |
| Not accepted | - | Black plastic, plastic bags, plastic packaging |
| E-waste | - | Illegal to landfill; must be recycled |
| Commercial/multifamily | - | AB 341 recycling + SB 1383 organics |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Mateo FAQ
Is recycling mandatory in San Mateo?
Yes. All residents receive blue recycling bins. Businesses with 4+ cubic yards of waste must also recycle under AB 341.
What can't go in the blue bin?
No plastic bags, Styrofoam, food-contaminated paper, electronics, or hazardous materials.
Do apartments need recycling?
Yes. Multi-family properties must provide recycling bins accessible to all tenants.
South San Francisco FAQ
Is recycling required in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Yes. Recycling is part of the mandatory minimum residential service under County Code Chapter 4.04, with a weekly single-stream recycling cart. Businesses and multifamily properties must also subscribe to recycling service and provide labeled containers under California law administered locally.
Can I throw old electronics in the trash?
No. In San Mateo County it is illegal to throw away electronics that contain circuitry or batteries classified as hazardous waste under California law. Take e-waste to an electronics-recycling drop-off, a household hazardous waste event, or a participating facility instead.
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