San Mateo, CA trash pickup schedule
San Mateo trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.
Population 103,337 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.
Contents10 sections
Quick answer
| Who collects | A private hauler under city contract: Recology San Mateo County Recology San Mateo County is the city's franchise hauler (contract administered regionally through RethinkWaste / South Bayside Waste Management Authority, of which San Mateo is a member). Single-family homes have three carts: green compost, blue single-stream recycling, black garbage. City Public Works Solid Waste Division: 650-522-7329.2 |
|---|---|
| How often | Trash weekly, recycling weekly, yard waste weekly2 |
| Set out | Residential: carts out after noon the day before and retrieved by midnight on service day (city ordinance); Recology asks for carts in the street before 6 a.m., wheels against the curb, lids toward the street, 2-3 ft apart. Downtown: out no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before, back by 11 a.m.2 |
| Your pickup day | Hauler’s address lookup: recology.com. App: Recology Mobile App5 |
| Holiday | Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026: No change. Drivers will service as normal; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
Bulk items: On-call pickup: call or book online (details). Drop-off sites: 4 listed (hours and fees).
San Mateo holiday trash schedule 2026
| City’s rule | Recology San Mateo County collects as normal on most holidays. No collection on Christmas Day and New Year's Day; collection that falls on or after the holiday that week is delayed one day (in 2026-27 both holidays fall on Friday, so only Friday customers move to Saturday).3 |
|---|---|
| Official notice | recology.com |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19, 2026 | Not on the city’s list | Not on the city’s list for this year |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Fri, Jul 3, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal (observed Friday July 3); Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 12, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26, 2026 | No change | Drivers will service as normal; call center closed; Recology call center and admin building closed3 |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | Moved to Saturday | No service on Christmas Day; Friday 12/25 customers serviced Saturday 12/263 |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | Moved to Saturday | No service on New Year's Day; Friday 1/1 customers serviced Saturday 1/23 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 18, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 15, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 31, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 18, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Mon, Jul 5, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 6, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 11, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Veterans Day | Thu, Nov 11, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 25, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 24, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.
Bulk trash pickup in San Mateo
| How it works | On-call pickup: call or book online4 |
|---|---|
| How to request | Schedule online (Recology 'Schedule a Bulky Item Collection' form) or in the Recology Mobile App; appointments available February 1 through December 31; pickup on your regular collection day. Tenants in multi-family buildings go through the property manager.4 |
| Limits | Two free appointments per calendar year (no carry-over). Each may include up to 12 32-gal bags (2 cu yd, bags under 60 lb) plus 1 large appliance, 1 bulky item (e.g. mattress and box spring, furniture, 4 tires without rims) and 1 e-waste item4 |
| Fees | Two per calendar year free; each additional on-call bulky item collection $123.14 per event (rate year 4/1/2026-3/31/2027)16 |
| Not accepted |
Recycling in San Mateo
| Pickup | weekly2 |
|---|---|
| Type | single-stream2 |
| Glass | accepted in cart5 |
| Plastics | Plastic bottles and caps, tubs and containers, plastic buckets; no black plastics, plastic bags/film, foam, or unmarked/unnumbered plastics6 |
Accepted
- Paper, cardboard, glass bottles, cans, plastic bottles, tubs and containers5
Programs
Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups
| Yard waste pickup | Yes5 |
|---|---|
| Season | year-round2 |
| How often | weekly2 |
| Rules | Green compost cart, lid closed; branches up to 4 inches in diameter; only BPI-certified compostable bags; no palm fronds, plastic bags, dirt, rocks, treated or painted wood, large branches or stumps6 |
| Food scraps | Yes - all food scraps (incl. meat, bones, dairy) and food-soiled paper in the green cart; free kitchen pail on request5 |
| Christmas trees | Trees collected on your regular service day Jan. 3-31 (city page; year not stated): remove decorations and stands (flocked OK), place next to compost cart, cut trees over 8 ft; after January cut to fit in the compost cart with lid closed.14 |
| Leaf collection | Leaves go in the green compost cart (weekly)6 |
Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste
Shoreway Environmental Center - Transfer Station (RethinkWaste, operated by South Bayside Industries)
| Type | Transfer station |
|---|---|
| Run by | RethinkWaste (SBWMA joint powers authority; city is a member) / South Bayside Industries |
| Address | 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070 · Map10 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day10 |
| Fees | fees apply (see rates page)10 |
| Who can use it | open to the public10 |
| Notes | City 'Special Recycling Programs' page still lists the transfer station at 225 Shoreway Road; operator pages give 333 Shoreway Road and current hours. |
Shoreway Public Recycling Center
| Type | Recycling center |
|---|---|
| Run by | RethinkWaste / South Bayside Industries |
| Address | 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070 · Map11 |
| Hours | Daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day11 |
| Fees | free for listed materials (cardboard, paper, glass, cans, plastic jugs/tubs, motor oil and filters, antifreeze, paint up to 10 gal, e-waste, fluorescent tubes, sharps, medicine, small appliances, scrap metal, cooking oil, batteries); no CRV buyback11 |
| Who can use it | residents11 |
| Notes | City 'Special Recycling Programs' page lists older hours (Mon-Sat 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.); operator's current hours used. |
San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste Program drop-off facility
| Type | Household hazardous waste |
|---|---|
| Run by | The county |
| Address | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Hours | by appointment only (book online or 650-372-6200); no walk-ins8 |
| Fees | free8 |
| Who can use it | San Mateo County residents; limit 15 gal or 125 lb per trip, containers 5 gal or smaller8 |
Medication drop box, San Mateo Police Station
| Type | other |
|---|---|
| Run by | The city |
| Address | 200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403 · Map14 |
| Hours | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Fees | free14 |
Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.
Missed pickup and contacts
| Missed pickup form | Recology 'Contact Us' form at recology.com/recology-san-mateo-county or hotline 650-595-39001 |
|---|---|
| Phone | Recology San Mateo County service hotline 650-595-3900 (office Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.); City Solid Waste Division 650-522-7329 ([email protected])1 |
| 311 | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Official website | cityofsanmateo.org |
Nearby cities
- Hayward, CA12 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Daly City, CA13 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Oakland, CA15 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Sunnyvale, CA20 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Berkeley, CA21 miles · The city and contracted haulers (by area or service)
- Fremont, CA21 miles · A private hauler under city contract
Other cities served by Recology
- San Francisco, CARecology (Recology Sunset Scavenger, Recology Golden Gate, Recology San Francisco)
- Seattle, WAWaste Management of Washington (northwest and south Seattle); Recology King County (northeast and central Seattle)
- Portland, ORNine City-franchised private haulers, each with its own exclusive area: Arrow Sanitary, Portland Disposal & Recycling, Waste Management of Oregon, Heiberg Garbage Service, City Sanitary, Wacker Sanitary, Walker Garbage Service, Republic Services of Lake Oswego and Recology Clackamas (per the City hauler-area layer)
- Santa Rosa, CARecology Sonoma Marin
- Santa Clara, CAMission Trail Waste Systems (garbage and yard trimmings); Recology South Bay (recycling)
- Vallejo, CARecology Vallejo
- Vacaville, CARecology Vacaville Solano
All California cities: California trash pickup schedules.
San Mateo trash pickup FAQ
What day is trash picked up in San Mateo?
Trash is collected weekly. San Mateo does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s hauler’s address lookup (recology.com) or the Recology Mobile App app.
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in San Mateo?
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. No change: Drivers will service as normal; call center closed; Recology call center and admin building closed
Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in San Mateo?
Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Moved to Saturday: No service on Christmas Day; Friday 12/25 customers serviced Saturday 12/26
Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2027 in San Mateo?
New Year's Day falls on Fri, Jan 1, 2027. Moved to Saturday: No service on New Year's Day; Friday 1/1 customers serviced Saturday 1/2
How do I get rid of bulky items in San Mateo?
On-call pickup: call or book online. Schedule online (Recology 'Schedule a Bulky Item Collection' form) or in the Recology Mobile App; appointments available February 1 through December 31; pickup on your regular collection day. Tenants in multi-family buildings go through the property manager. Fees: Two per calendar year free; each additional on-call bulky item collection $123.14 per event (rate year 4/1/2026-3/31/2027).
Does San Mateo recycle glass?
Glass: accepted in cart.
How do I report a missed trash pickup in San Mateo?
Use the city’s online form (Recology 'Contact Us' form at recology.com/recology-san-mateo-county or hotline 650-595-3900) or call Recology San Mateo County service hotline 650-595-3900 (office Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.); City Solid Waste Division 650-522-7329 ([email protected]).
Sources
- 1 Recycling, Compost, and Garbage - City of San Mateo Public WorksCity · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 2 Solid Waste Ordinance & Providers - City of San MateoCity · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 3 Recology San Mateo County Holiday Calendar (2026)Contracted hauler · recology.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 4 Recology San Mateo County Bulky Item CollectionContracted hauler · recology.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 5 Recology San Mateo County - My Recology Service (Residential)Contracted hauler · recology.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 6 Recology San Mateo County - What Goes Where (Residential)Contracted hauler · recology.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 7 Recology San Mateo County - Hazardous Waste (Residential)Contracted hauler · recology.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 8 San Mateo County Health - Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) ProgramCounty · smchealth.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 9 South Bayside Industries - Shoreway Environmental Center (operator for RethinkWaste/SBWMA)facility operator (South Bayside Industries, contracted by RethinkWaste/SBWMA JPA) · southbaysideindustries.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 10 South Bayside Industries - Contact / Hoursfacility operator (South Bayside Industries, contracted by RethinkWaste/SBWMA JPA) · southbaysideindustries.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 11 Shoreway Public Recycling Center - accepted materialsfacility operator (South Bayside Industries, contracted by RethinkWaste/SBWMA JPA) · southbaysideindustries.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 12 Cart Information - City of San MateoCity · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 13 Solid Waste Frequently Asked Questions - City of San MateoCity · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 14 Special Recycling Programs - City of San MateoCity · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 15 Solid Waste Rates - City of San MateoCity · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 16 Attachment Q 2026 - Additional Services (City of San Mateo / Recology franchise rates, effective 4/1/26-3/31/27)City · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 17 San Mateo Solid Waste Rates 2026 Residential Carts (PDF)City · cityofsanmateo.org · checked October 30, 2026
- 18 Recology San Mateo County - Collection CalendarContracted hauler · recology.com · checked October 30, 2026
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Second-pass verification against every source: November 1, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.