San Jose, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- Garbage, recycling, yard trimmings weekly, same day
- Find your day
- sanjoseca.gov Residential Services Lookup
- Holiday shift
- Slides one day: Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year
- Bulk pickup
- Free, unlimited; 12 items per appointment
- Set-out time
- By 6 a.m.; not before day prior
Summary
San Jose collects garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings weekly on the same day. Find your day with the city's Residential Services Lookup. Only Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day push collection one day later.
39730.6. (a) Consistent with Section 39730.5, methane emissions reduction goals shall include the following targets to reduce the landfill disposal of organics: (1) A 50-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020. (2) A 75-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025. (b) Except as provided in this section and Section 42652.5 of the Public Resources Code, the state board shall not adopt, prior to January 1, 2025, requirements to control methane emissions associated with the disposal of organic waste in landfills other than through landfill methane emissions control regulations.
Full Breakdown
Enter your street number and ZIP in the Residential Services Lookup on sanjoseca.gov (or call 408-535-3500) to find your weekly garbage, recycling, and yard-trimmings day, all serviced together. Collection runs on every holiday except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day; on those weeks it slides one day later for the rest of the week. Free large-item pickups are available with no yearly cap (up to 12 items per appointment): schedule at sanjoseca.gov/311 or 408-535-3500. Set all carts out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, no earlier than the day before, two feet apart with wheels to the curb.
Violations & Fines
No monetary penalty specified; carts must be out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day and no earlier than the day before, placed two feet apart with wheels against the curb. Large-item appointments allow up to 12 items each.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my trash pickup day in San Jose?
How do I schedule a large-item pickup in San Jose?
What time should carts be out in San Jose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Pickup Rules & Schedules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle pickup rules & schedules.