 |  | Learn about the curbside collection services available to you for recycling, composting and garbage. This section covers what is accepted, services offered, holiday schedules and more. |
| GreenWaste of Palo Alto is the City's contractor for waste and recycling collection, transportation and processing services. Service questions should be directed to GreenWaste by calling (650) 493-4894. |
Click on the appropriate link below to go directly to the section that provides information about the services available to you.
Who are you?
Resident in a Single-Family HomeResident in a Multi-Unit ComplexBusinessSchool
Resident in a Single-Family Home
Scroll through all of the topics or click on the one of interest to you and be taken directly to that section.
Topics
What can I recycle in my blue container? What can I compost in my green container? What goes in my garbage container?
Standard Curbside Residential Services Cart Set-Out Back/Side Yard Service Physical Limitations Program Holiday Schedule Changes Debris Box Service Household Hazardous Waste Clean Up Day Curbside FAQ's
What can I recycle in my blue container?
All of our recyclable materials, such as paper, glass, plastic and metal are accepted in one collection container or cart. The recyclables are then sent to GreenWaste's material recovery facility in San Jose, where they are separated into commodities that are sold to manufacturers that turn our discards into new products.
Below is an abbreviated list of what can go in your blue recycling container. Click here to view a comprehensive list of accepted materials. You can also go to the What Goes Where Toolkit page for a suite of tools designed to help you learn more details about what goes where and how to prepare your materials.
Paper (staples, tape ok)
- White, colored, and glossy paper
- Magazines and catalogs
- Newspaper
- Cardboard (flattened, cut to fit loosely)
- Junk mail
- Paperboard (e.g., office supply, cereal and tissue boxes, toilet paper tubes)
- Paperback books
- Shredded paper
- Paper bags
Glass
Metal
- Aerosol cans (empty, non-hazardous)
- Aluminum cans (food, beverage, pet food)
- Foil, foil trays and pans
- Lids, caps
- Scrap metal.
Plastic Bags & Film
(place bags and film plastic in a bag)
- Bags (e.g., bread, dry cleaning, grocery, newspaper, produce, merchandise, zip lock)
- Bubble wrap
- Case wrap (e.g., beverage container and snack flats)
- Liners (e.g., cereal box)
- Plastic package wrap (e.g., toilet paper)
Plastics
(All types with or without a number - no expanded polystyrene a.k.a. STYROFOAMTM)
- Bottles (e.g., beverage, laundry and household cleaners, personal care products, prescription)
- Food containers (e.g., cottage cheese, margarine, yogurt, take-out containers)
- Baskets
- Buckets
- Flower pots
- Product packaging
Electronics
- Appliances
- Calculator
- Computer
- Computer peripherals
- Home entertainment (e.g., game systems, DVR, VCR, stereo, radio)
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
What can I compost in my green container?
Below is an abbreviated list of what can go in your green yard trimmings cart. Click here for a comprehensive list of accepted materials.
- Branches and stumps (Must be less than 6 inches in diameter and shorter than 4 feet in length)
- Leaves
- Grass
- Plants and Shrubs
- Flowers
- Succulents
- Holiday trees
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
What goes in my garbage container?
As a rule of thumb, if an item doesn't go in your blue or green container and it is not a functional, reusable item that you can donate, it most likely goes into your garbage container. Most items that you will need to throw away are those made of multiple materials that are fused together. It is difficult, if not impossible to separate and recycle these items once they are fused together.
Below is a list of some garbage items.
- Fused Materials (granola bar wrappers, paper lined foil candy wrappers)
- Paper Towels and Tissues
- Food Scraps
- Chip Bags
- Chewing gum
- Latex and Nitrile Gloves
- Expanded Polystyrene Blocks (a.k.a. STYROFOAMTM)
- Broken Dishes
- Drink Boxes and Pouches
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
Standard Curbside Residential Services
- RECYCLABLES: One 64 gallon blue recyclables cart. Service is also available in 32 or 96 gallon carts.
- YARD TRIMMINGS: One 96 gallon yard trimmings cart. Service is also available in 32 or 64 gallon carts.
- GARBAGE: One 32 gallon can or cart. If you need additional capacity, you may obtain a 64 or 96 gallon cart or multiple cans/carts. The minimum service is a 20 gallon can or cart.
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
Cart Set-Out
All carts are serviced weekly on a Monday through Friday schedule. To report a missed pick-up, a broken/damaged cart, to request additional carts or for any other service-related inquiry, please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Curbside Cart Placement Guidelines - Place carts curbside before 6 AM on your collection day.
- Please keep the sidewalk clear. A minimum of 36 inches of sidewalk clearance is required by law for safe pedestrian passage.
- Avoid placing carts in the street or in the gutter.
- Remove carts from the curb within 24 hours of collection service. We suggest storing carts in your back or side yard.
- Close all lids and please do not overfill containers.
- Place front of cart facing the street with a minimum of 2 feet between carts.
Cart Placement Alternatives - Sidewalk With a Planting Strip: Place carts in the planting strip. If you cannot place carts in the planting strip due to landscaping constraints, place carts on the back portion of the sidewalk (the portion furthest from the street), and maintain the 36-inch clearance.
- Sidewalk With No Planting Strip: Place carts on the back portion of the sidewalk (the portion furthest from the street).
- No Sidewalk: Place carts at the edge of the street, keeping them out of the gutter and road.
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home Return to top of page
Back/Side Yard Service
Standard collection of residential recyclables, yard trimmings and garbage carts is curbside. Customers may request back/side yard service at an additional fee established by the City of Palo Alto. If you would like additional information about the weekly back/side yard service, please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home Return to top of page
Physical Limitations Program
Back/side yard service will be provided to customers with physical limitations at no additional charge. If you would like information on this program or to request a physical limitations application, please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
Holiday Collection Schedule
Collection will not occur on New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) or Christmas (December 25). During holiday weeks, if your regular collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your collection day will be moved to the next day. Friday collection will occur Saturday.
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
Debris Box Service
GreenWaste offers debris box service to customers in multiple sizes and for source separated and mixed materials. Please consider deconstruction and salvaging building materials for reuse before using a debris box.
Debris boxes can be ordered on an on-call basis or as a scheduled weekly service. Please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894 to schedule delivery of a debris box that will meet your needs for capacity, type of material and collection frequency. More information regarding debris box services is available on GreenWaste's website.
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
Household Hazardous Waste
The City of Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Program provides Palo Alto residents with an environmentally safe, convenient way to dispose of unwanted hazardous household products. Some household hazardous wastes can be collected curbside. Those items are listed below. Others must be taken to monthly Household Hazardous Waste collection events. Go to the Hazardous Waste Program page for more information.
Household Hazardous Waste Collected Curbside:
- Motor Oil & Filters
- Used motor oil and filters will be collected when placed next to your recycling container
- Used motor oil must be placed in a clear one-gallon plastic container with a tight fitting screw-top lid. Used oil filters must be placed in a sealed clear tear-resistant bag.
- Used oil containers and oil filter bags will be provided by GreenWaste at no additional charge.
- Household Batteries & Cell Phones
- Household batteries (e.g., AA, AAA, D, nickel cadmium) and cell phones will be collected when put inside a sealed clear tear-resistant bag and placed next to your recycling container. Tear resistant bags will be provided by GreenWaste at no additional charge.
- IMPORTANT! Prior to depositing dead batteries into the battery recycling containers, Federal Law now requires the terminals be taped with non-conductive tape (electrical, duct, or masking tape) to prevent short-circuiting during transport.
- To request containers or tear-resistant bags for used motor oil, filters, household batteries and cell phones, please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Clean Up Day
The Clean Up Day is a on-call collection program available to help you properly dispose of unwanted items. Residents may schedule one per year. Go to the Clean-Up Day page for more information.
Return to Resident in a Single-Family Home
Return to top of page
Resident in a Multi-Unit Complex
Scroll through all of the topics or click on the one of interest to you and be taken directly to that section.
Topics
What can I recycle in my blue container?What can I compost in my green container?What goes in my garbage container?Collection ServicesCart and Bin SizesMissed Collection, Damaged or Additional ContainersContainer Placement and MaintenanceLocksHoliday Collection ScheduleDebris Box ServiceHousehold Hazardous WasteClean Up DayCurbside FAQs What can I recycle in my blue container?
All of our recyclable materials, such as paper, glass, plastic and metal are accepted in the blue cart or bin. The recyclables are then sent to GreenWaste's material recovery facility in San Jose, where they are separated into commodities that are sold to manufacturers that turn our discards into new products.
Below is an abbreviated list of what can go in your blue recycling container.
Click here to view a comprehensive list of accepted materials. You can also go to the
What Goes Where Toolkit page for a suite of tools designed to help you learn more details about what goes where and how to prepare your materials.
Paper (staples, tape ok)
- White, colored, and glossy paper
- Magazines and catalogs
- Newspaper
- Cardboard (flattened, cut to fit loosely)
- Junk mail
- Paperboard (e.g., office supply, cereal and tissue boxes, toilet paper tubes)
- Paperback books
- Shredded paper
- Paper bags
Glass
Metal
- Aerosol cans (empty, non-hazardous)
- Aluminum cans (food, beverage, pet food)
- Foil, foil trays and pans
- Lids, caps
- Scrap metal
Plastic Bags & Film (place bags and film plastic in a bag.)
- Bags (e.g., bread, dry cleaning, grocery, newspaper, produce, merchandise, zip lock)
- Bubble wrap
- Case wrap (e.g., beverage container and snack flats)
- Liners (e.g., cereal box)
- Plastic package wrap (e.g., toilet paper)
Plastics (All types with or without a number - no expanded polystyrene a.k.a. STYROFOAM
TM)
- Bottles (e.g., beverage, laundry and household cleaners, personal care products, prescription)
- Food containers (e.g., cottage cheese, margarine, yogurt, take-out containers)
- Baskets
- Buckets
- Flower pots
- Product packaging
- Toys
Electronics - Appliances
- Calculator
- Computer
- Computer peripherals
- Home entertainment (e.g., game systems, DVR, VCR, stereo, radio)
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
What can I compost in my green container?
- Yard Trimmings (branches, leaves, grass, plants, flowers)
- Food Scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables, grains)
- Food-soiled Paper (paper towels, take-out containers, paper cups, milk cartons)
- Waxed Cardboard
- Untreated/Unpainted Wood (lumber, wood chips, wood waste, sawdust)
- Holiday trees (contact GreenWaste for special instructions)
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
What goes in my garbage container?
As a rule of thumb, if an item doesn't go in your blue or green container and it is not a functional, reusable item that you can donate, it most likely goes into your garbage container. Most items that you will need to throw away are those made of multiple materials that are fused together. It is difficult, if not impossible to separate and recycle these items once they are fused together.
Below is a list of some garbage items.
- Fused materials (granola bar wrappers, paper lined foil candy wrappers)
- Chip Bags
- Chewing Gum
- Latex and Nitrile Gloves
- Expanded Polystyrene Blocks (a.k.a. STYROFOAMTM)
- Broken Dishes
- Drink Boxes and Pouches
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Collection Services
Services - Recyclables, compostables and garbage collection services are available to all businesses and multi-unit complexes, in wheeled carts or bins.
- If you need assistance starting a program or keeping one going, GreenWaste Environmental Outreach Coordinators will assist you, at no additional cost. Assistance includes:
- Establishing service levels, conducting site visits and waste audits
- Planning for special events
- Education: on-site training and meetings, posters and stickers, processing facilities tours
- To request assistance contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Recycling - Standard service is 96 gallon carts. Service is also available in 32 or 64 gallon carts, or bins in a variety of sizes.
- For businesses with space constraints, GreenWaste will provide alternative collection containers.
- Collection from multi-unit complexes is available up to five (5) times per week on the same day as garbage.
- Collection from businesses is available up to six (6) times per week.
Cardboard Recycling - Cardboard can be placed in your blue cart or bin; however, if you generate a large quantity of cardboard, a separate bin for cardboard is available.
- Bin service, available in a variety of sizes, may receive collection up to six (6) times per week.
- Compostables
- Standard service is 96 gallon carts. Service is also available in 32 or 64 gallon carts, or bins in a variety of sizes.
- Collection is available up to six (6) times per week.
Garbage - Standard service is two 32 gallon cans or one 64 gallon cart.
- Service is available in cans, carts, bins, debris boxes or compactors. Collection is available up to six (6) times per week.
- Carts are available in 32, 64 or 96 gallons. Bins are available in a variety of sizes.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Cart and Bin Sizes
For cart and bin dimensions, please visit GreenWaste's website.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Missed Collection, Damaged or Additional Containers
To report a missed collection, broken or damaged containers or to request additional containers, please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Container Placement and Maintenance
- Recyclables, compostables and garbage containers must remain clear of sidewalks (36 inch clearance) and on private property. Containers should not be placed in the gutter, street or public right-of-way (e.g., alleys).
- Standard service is at street level. Additional service fees apply to non-standard service.
- Place containers by 4 AM on the day of collection in an area accessible to collection vehicles.
- Maintain container placement and storage areas in good, clean, sanitary condition, and in a manner that prevents leaks, spills and odors.
- Keep lids on containers closed at all times.
- Garbage, recyclables and compostables must be stored in City-approved containers.
- Cleaning of recyclables, compostables or garbage carts or bins is available upon request for a fee.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Locks
To prevent misuse of recyclables, compostables or garbage containers, locks are available upon request for a fee. Please contact GreenWaste Customer Service for more information at (650) 493-4894.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Holiday Collection Schedule
Collection will not occur on New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) or Christmas (December 25). During holiday weeks, if your regular collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your collection day will be moved to the next day.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Debris Box Service
GreenWaste offers debris box service to customers in multiple sizes and for source separated and mixed materials. Please consider deconstruction and salvaging building materials for reuse before using a debris box.
Debris boxes can be ordered on an on-call basis or as a scheduled weekly service. Please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894 to schedule delivery of a debris box that will meet your needs for capacity, type of material and collection frequency. More information regarding debris box services is available on GreenWaste's website.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Household Hazardous Waste
The City of Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Program provides Palo Alto residents with an environmentally safe, convenient way to dispose of unwanted hazardous household products. Some household hazardous wastes can be taken to the Palo Alto Recycling Center while others must be taken to monthly Household Hazardous Waste collection events.
The City of Palo Alto has a drop-off program for businesses and property managers to properly dispose of Universal (e.g., fluorescent lamps) and Hazardous Wastes (e.g., paint). These common items used every day contain substances such as antimony, arsenic, beryllium, butane, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, mercury, propane, pesticides, PCBs and zinc that can pose a risk to people and the environment if not managed properly. Per State law, neither Universal nor Hazardous Waste may be placed in the garbage. In addition, there are drop-off, pick-up and mail-back programs operated by private companies for managing Universal Waste.
Go to the Hazardous Waste Program page for more information.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Clean Up Day
The Clean Up Day is a on-call collection program available to help you properly dispose of unwanted items. It is designed for the collection of bulky items and excess recyclable and compostable items. Multi-unit complex managers may schedule one per year. Go to the Clean-Up Day page for more information.
Return to Resident in a Multi Unit Complex
Return to top of page
Business/School
Scroll through all of the topics or click on the one of interest to you and be taken directly to that section.
Topics
What can I recycle in my blue container?What can I compost in my green container?What goes in my garbage container?Collection ServicesCart and Bin SizesMissed Collection, Damaged or Additional ContainersContainer Placement and MaintenanceLocksHoliday Collection ScheduleDebris Box ServiceHazardous WasteClean Up DayCurbside FAQs
What can I recycle in my blue container?
All of our recyclable materials, such as paper, glass, plastic, and metal are accepted in the blue cart or bin. The recyclables are then sent to GreenWaste's material recovery facility in San Jose, where they are separated into commodities that are sold to manufacturers that turn our discards into new products.
Below is an abbreviated list of what can go in your blue recycling container.
Click here to view a comprehensive list of accepted materials. You can also go to the
What Goes Where Toolkit page for a suite of tools designed to help you learn more details about what goes where and how to prepare your materials.
Paper (staples, tape ok)
- White, colored, and glossy paper
- Magazines and catalogs
- Newspaper
- Cardboard (flattened, cut to fit loosely)
- Junk mail
- Paperboard (e.g., office supply, cereal and tissue boxes, toilet paper tubes)
- Paperback books
- Shredded paper
- Paper bags
Glass Metal - Aerosol cans (empty, non-hazardous)
- Aluminum cans (food, beverage, pet food)
- Foil, foil trays and pans
- Lids, caps
- Scrap metal
Plastic Bags & Film (place bags and film plastic in a bag.)
- Bags (e.g., bread, dry cleaning, grocery, newspaper, produce, merchandise, zip lock)
- Bubble wrap
- Case wrap (e.g., beverage container and snack flats)
- Liners (e.g., cereal box)
- Plastic package wrap (e.g., toilet paper)
Plastics (All types with or without a number - no expanded polystyrene a.k.a. STYROFOAM
TM)
- Bottles (e.g., beverage, laundry and household cleaners, personal care products, prescription)
- Food containers (e.g., cottage cheese, margarine, yogurt, take-out containers)
- Baskets
- Buckets
- Flower pots
- Product packaging
- Toys
Electronics - Appliances
- Calculator
- Computer
- Computer peripherals
- Home entertainment (e.g., game systems, DVR, VCR, stereo, radio)
Return to Business/SchoolReturn to top of page
What can I compost in my green container?
Below is an abbreviated list of what can go in your green compostables cart or bin. Click here for a comprehensive list of accepted materials.
- Yard Trimmings (branches, leaves, grass, plants, flowers)
- Food Scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables, grains)
- Food-soiled Paper (paper towels, take-out containers, paper cups, milk cartons)
- Waxed Cardboard
- Untreated/Unpainted Wood (lumber, wood chips, wood waste, sawdust)
- Holiday trees (contact GreenWaste for special instructions)
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
What goes in my garbage container?
As a rule of thumb, if an item doesn't go in your blue or green container and it is not a functional, reusable item that you can donate, it most likely goes into your garbage container. Most items that you will need to throw away are those made of multiple materials that are fused together. It is difficult, if not impossible to separate and recycle these items once they are fused together.
Below is a list of some garbage items.
- Fused materials (granola bar wrappers, paper lined foil candy wrappers)
- Chip Bags
- Chewing Gum
- Latex and Nitrile Gloves
- Expanded Polystyrene Blocks (a.k.a. STYROFOAMTM)
- Rubber Pads
- Broken Dishes
- Drink Boxes and Pouches
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Collection Services Services
- Recyclables, compostables and garbage collection services are available to all businesses and multi-unit complexes, in wheeled carts or bins.
- If you need assistance starting a program or keeping one going, GreenWaste Environmental Outreach Coordinators will assist you, at no additional cost. Assistance includes:
- Establishing service levels, conducting site visits and waste audits
- Planning for special events
- Education: on-site training and meetings, posters and stickers, processing facilities tours
- To request assistance contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Recycling - Standard service is 96 gallon carts. Service is also available in 32 or 64 gallon carts, or bins in a variety of sizes.
- For businesses with space constraints, GreenWaste will provide alternative collection containers.
- Collection from multi-unit complexes is available up to five (5) times per week on the same day as garbage.
- Collection from businesses is available up to six (6) times per week.
Cardboard Recycling - Cardboard can be placed in your blue cart or bin; however, if you generate a large quantity of cardboard, a separate bin for cardboard is available.
- Bin service, available in a variety of sizes, may receive collection up to six (6) times per week.
- Compostables
- Standard service is 96 gallon carts. Service is also available in 32 or 64 gallon carts, or bins in a variety of sizes.
- Collection is available up to six (6) times per week.
Garbage - Standard service is two 32 gallon cans or one 64 gallon cart.
- Service is available in cans, carts, bins, debris boxes or compactors. Collection is available up to six (6) times per week.
- Carts are available in 32, 64 or 96 gallons. Bins are available in a variety of sizes.
Return to Business/SchoolReturn to top of page
Cart and Bin Sizes
For cart and bin dimensions, please visit GreenWaste's website.
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Missed Collection, Damaged or Additional Containers
To report a missed collection, broken or damaged containers or to request additional containers, please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894.
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Container Placement and Maintenance
- Recyclables, compostables and garbage containers must remain clear of sidewalks (36 inch clearance) and on private property. Containers should not be placed in the gutter, street or public right-of-way (e.g., alleys).
- Standard service is at street level. Additional service fees apply to non-standard service.
- Place containers by 4 AM on the day of collection in an area accessible to collection vehicles.
- Maintain container placement and storage areas in good, clean, sanitary condition, and in a manner that prevents leaks, spills and odors.
- Keep lids on containers closed at all times.
- Garbage, recyclables and compostables must be stored in City-approved containers.
- Cleaning of recyclables, compostables or garbage carts or bins is available upon request for a fee.
Return to Business/SchoolReturn to top of page
Locks
To prevent misuse of recyclables, compostables or garbage containers, locks are available upon request for a fee. Please contact GreenWaste Customer Service for more information at (650) 493-4894.
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Holiday Collection Schedule
Collection will not occur on New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) or Christmas (December 25). During holiday weeks, if your regular collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your collection day will be moved to the next day.
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Debris Box Service
GreenWaste offers debris box service to customers in multiple sizes and for source separated and mixed materials. Please consider deconstruction and salvaging building materials for reuse before using a debris box.
Debris boxes can be ordered on an on-call basis or as a scheduled weekly service. Please contact GreenWaste Customer Service at (650) 493-4894 to schedule delivery of a debris box that will meet your needs for capacity, type of material and collection frequency. More information regarding debris box services is available on GreenWaste's website.
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Hazardous Waste
The City of Palo Alto has a drop-off program for businesses and property managers to properly dispose of Universal (e.g., fluorescent lamps) and Hazardous Wastes (e.g., paint). These common items used every day contain substances such as antimony, arsenic, beryllium, butane, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, mercury, propane, pesticides, PCBs and zinc that can pose a risk to people and the environment if not managed properly. Per State law, neither Universal nor Hazardous Waste may be placed in the garbage. In addition, there are drop-off, pick-up and mail-back programs operated by private companies for managing Universal Waste.
Go to the Hazardous Waste Program page for more information.
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Clean Up Day
The Clean Up Day is a on-call collection program available to help you properly dispose of unwanted items. It is designed for the collection of bulky items and excess recyclable and compostable items. Business managers may schedule one per year. Go to the Clean-Up Day page for more information.
Return to Business/School
Return to top of page
Last Updated: Oct 1, 2012
