Trash & Recycling in Contra Costa County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in Contra Costa County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Unincorporated Contra Costa County uses franchised haulers (Republic Services, Mt. Diablo Recycling) with assigned weekly collection days by route. Carts must be curbside by 6 AM on service day and removed within 24 hours.

Trash: Collection Day

Some Restrictions

Cal. Legislature Bill 201520160SB1383

(a) The organic disposal reduction targets are essential to achieving the statewide recycling goal identified in Section 41780.01. (b) Achieving organic waste disposal reduction targets requires significant investment to develop organics recycling capacity. (c) More robust state and local funding mechanisms are needed to support the expansion of organics recycling capacity.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bin Placement Rules

Hauler-issued carts only; lids must remain closed and waste contained. Overfilled, damaged, or non-franchise containers will not be serviced. Extra bags require pre-paid tags.

Trash: Container Rules

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bulk Item Disposal

Franchised residential customers receive one to two free bulky item pickups annually (appliances, furniture, mattresses). Schedule through hauler with at least one week notice; six-item limit per pickup typical.

Trash: Bulk Pickup

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Recycling Requirements

SB 1383 mandates organics recycling for all residents and businesses. Contra Costa County requires separation of recyclables (blue cart) and organics including food scraps (green cart) with enforcement beginning 2024.

Trash: Recycling

Heavy Restrictions

CalRecycle (SB 1383)

Air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma. Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills. Cutting short-lived climate pollutants can have the fastest impact on the climate. *Click on the boxes below to go to the topic page. Collections All jurisdictions need to provide organic waste collec...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Illegal Dumping

Contra Costa County Code Chapter 418-10 and Penal Code 374.3 make illegal dumping a misdemeanor with fines up to $10,000, possible jail time, and mandatory cleanup costs. County operates illegal dumping hotline.

Trash: Illegal Dumping

Heavy Restrictions

California Penal Code § 374.3(a)-(c)

(a) It is unlawful to dump or cause to be dumped waste matter in or upon a public or private highway or road, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or in or upon private property into or upon which the public is admitted by easement or license, or upon private property without the consent of the owner, or in or upon a public park or other public property other than property designa...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗