Milpitas, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Recycling in Milpitas is mandatory and source-separated, served by Milpitas Sanitation under Milpitas Municipal Code Chapter 200 (Solid Waste Management). Residents use a Blue Recyclables split cart with two compartments. The recyclables side accepts glass bottles and jars, aluminum and metal cans, and hard plastics labeled #1 through #7. The paper/fibers side takes corrugated cardboard, paper boxes, newspaper, and clean pizza boxes. Keeping the streams separate matters because contamination can cause a load to be rejected. Some materials get special handling on top of (not inside) the blue cart: household batteries in a sealed clear bag with taped terminals (no car batteries), and used motor oil in a sealed container. The City reports it has achieved roughly a 70% reduction in landfilled material since 1991, reflecting how central recycling and organics diversion are to its waste program. Multi-family properties and businesses are also required to have recycling and organics service arranged through Milpitas Sanitation. California's broader mandatory commercial recycling and organics laws reinforce these local requirements. For a full accepted-materials list and any updates, consult Milpitas Sanitation's sorting guide or call 408-988-4500.