Recology San Mateo County provides residential customers with up to two on-call bulky item pickups per year included in service, with additional pickups available for a fee. Eligible items include furniture, mattresses, appliances (with refrigerant-removal tag for refrigerators/AC units), and e-waste. Construction debris, paint, motor oil, and hazardous materials are NOT eligible and must be taken to the San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste Program or Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos.
Bulk item collection in unincorporated San Mateo County is provided by the franchise hauler (Recology SMC and affiliates). Residential customers receive two on-call pickups per calendar year at no extra charge; each pickup permits a set number of items or volume (typically 5-6 items). Mattresses, box springs, and major appliances are accepted curbside; refrigerators and freezers require prior refrigerant removal by a licensed technician and a CFC-removal tag affixed before pickup. Electronics (TVs, computers, printers) are accepted as e-waste. Excluded items: construction/demolition debris, concrete, dirt, tires, vehicle parts, batteries (automotive or household), paint, solvents, pesticides, and medical waste. These must go to Shoreway Environmental Center (333 Shoreway Rd, San Carlos), the County HHW Program at the San Mateo HHW Station, or licensed C&D recyclers. Illegal dumping on public or private land is prohibited under County Code §3.24 (Litter) and Penal Code §374.3 with escalating civil and criminal penalties.
Illegal dumping on public or private property: Penal Code §374.3 — $250 to $3,000 fine plus up to 6 months jail for dumping over 100 lbs/2 cu yd. Placing hazardous materials in standard pickup: $100-$500 fine. Placing bulky items out more than 24 hours before scheduled pickup: blight citation $50-$200.
San Mateo County, CA
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See how San Mateo County's bulk item disposal rules stack up against other locations.
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