Garbage and Recycling

Welcome to the City of Cupertino's Waste Disposal page. Here you'll find essential details about waste management services, including holiday collection schedules, proper disposal methods, and recycling guidelines. This page provides resources for residents and businesses to effectively manage their waste, reduce environmental impact, and comply with local regulations.

The City contracts with Recology South Bay for residential and commercial trash, recycling, and organic waste. This single-hauler contract ensures competitive pricing and consistent service citywide.

Important Reminders

Holiday Tree Recycling

Tree pick up is available curbside from December 26 through January 31, 2024.

Before setting your tree on your curb follow these steps:
1. Remove decorations and tinsel
2.Cut trees to five feet or less
3. Place smaller pieces in the organics cart with the lid closed
4. Place your tree pieces and carts roadside on your collection day
5. Please make sure your cart lid is closed

Holiday String Lights are Electronic Waste - They DO NOT Go In Your Carts!

Broken string lights must be disposed of as household hazardous electronic waste. 

Electronic waste that ends up in the landfill increased toxicity and hurts our environment. String lights in the recycling stream will tangle and break the machines. 

Help dispose of broken string lights safely. Residents have several options for convenient disposal. Visit cupertino.gov/hhw to view the 'Electronic Waste' disposal resources.

Holiday Collection Schedule

• All businesses and most residents have access to a green organics cart or bin. If you do not have an organics cart, please contact Recology to request one. Learn more about organics recycling and food waste diversion at Curbside Composting.

• Bioplastic or "Compostable" plastics are NOT accepted in the green organics cart. Please put all bioplastic or "compostable" plastics in the gray landfill bin. If it looks like plastic and has a compostable label, it should go in the trash. If it looks like it is made from paper, wood, or bamboo, it can go in the compost.

  BPI-certified compostable bags are the exception as they are allowed by our compost processor to help collect food scraps.

• Food waste goes into the green organics cart. All businesses and most residents have access to an organics cart. Contact Recology to receive a cart. Visit the Curbside Composting page to learn more about organics recycling. 

• All residents should have the following three carts with the City of Cupertino logo: 

  • Green for organics and food scraps

  • Blue for recycling

  • Gray for waste to landfill

• If you have an tan-colored yard waste cart or outdated trash or recycling carts, please contact Recology at RecologySouthBay@Recology.com or 408.725.4020

• Think before you throw! Practice the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) to minimize landfill waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution, and conserve resources used in production and waste management.