Cart Delivery Has Begun!!

As of August 30, 2010, all single family homes will begin receiving three new wheeled carts - a new Garbage cart, a 64-gallon single-stream blue Recycle cart and a 96-gallon green Compost cart.* Please see the schedule below to find delivery dates for your area.

You may begin using your new carts immediately.

Recycle Cart: You can conveniently place all your recyclables into one wheeled blue cart - no more sorting! With single-stream recycling, you can mix your newspaper, junk mail, magazines, office paper, milk and juice cartons and cardboard with your plastic, aluminum and glass containers.

Compost Cart: Use your new green Compost Cart the same way as you have been using your old green Yard Trimmings Cart by placing only materials that come from your yard. (There is no change for San Carlos residents, who already have the food scraps program. You can continue to put food scraps with your yard trimmings for weekly collection.) As of January, you can start putting food scraps and food- and beverage soiled paper products in with your yard trimmings. All your leftovers, meat, poultry, fish and bones, dairy, breads, pastas, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells and pizza boxes, paper plates, napkins and cups will be composted instead of thrown away. Your Compost cart will now be collected WEEKLY starting January 3, 2011. Remember, please no food scraps or products in the Compost cart until January.

Garbage Cart: Anything that doesn't go in the Recycle or Compost Carts will go in this cart now instead of your old garbage can.

*Hillsborough residents will continue using their existing green Yard Trimmings Carts.


CartSMART is going to make it easier for you to recycle more and waste less. Once you receive your new CartSMART carts, you can begin using them immediately on your current collection schedule. Recycling and yard trimmings will continue to be collected every other week until January 3, 2011. You will also have the option to choose a different size Recycle or Compost cart after January 3, 2011.

Now that your new carts have arrived, what do you do with your old Yard Trimmings Cart, recycling tubs and garbage cans?

Allied Waste crews will pick up your old Yard Trimmings Cart* (except for those who purchased them directly from Allied Waste and wish to keep them) on your collection day immediately following the delivery of your new carts. Please make sure to set the old green cart out. You can choose to keep your recycling tubs if you like, but if you want them taken away simply place them upside down next to your new carts during a recycling collection week. You can also keep your old garbage can(s) that you purchased, but if you want it taken away, simply affix one of the "Take Me" stickers that are included with your new carts. You can set out your recycling tubs and garbage cans for Allied Waste to pick up on your collection day through December 31, 2010.

*Hillsborough residents will continue using their existing green Yard Trimmings Carts.

The same day, every week.

Recology's new services will be provided using fully automated collection vehicles that operate a mechanical arm to lift the carts, making service faster and more efficient. As of January 3, 2011, we ask that you follow the following guidelines when you set your carts out for service.

When you set your carts out for service, place them curbside in the street, with the wheels against the curb and the arrows on the lid pointed toward the street. If you live on a street without a curb, place them roadside. Place each cart 24 inches, or 2 feet apart, all facing the same direction.

Recology San Mateo County is excited to provide a better way of providing your recycle, compost and garbage services. Our programs have been designed to make things easier for you and healthier for everyone's environment. We hope they encourage you to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

If you have any questions about cart delivery, please contact us or visit RethinkWaste.org.

Still have questions? Please see our FAQ page for answers!

Language Assistance:
We offer a free Language Line with over 170 different languages through our Customer Service Department. Please call (650) 595-3900 for more information.

You can also visit RecycleWorks of San Mateo County for general recycling and waste reduction information.

Did you know CDs and DVDs are recyclable? Discs are shredded and recycled into a number of new products, often as automotive or construction materials. Even motorcycle helmets!

You can mail or drop off your Recology San Mateo County DVD at GreenCitizen's Peninsula Drop-Off Center, located on Mahler Road in Burlingame. Just be sure to separate the disc from the paper sleeve, and they'll recycle both for free. Or, you can simply place the sleeve right in your blue Recycle cart.

GreenCitizen Peninsula Drop-Off Center
801 Mahler Road, Suite I
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 288-1369 x103