Landfill (Garbage) Collection Program

Reuse is Best!

Before you dispose of something, consider if it can be reused, repaired, or donated. For easy options to reuse, repair, recycle or safely dispose unwanted items, search the StopWaste’s RE:Source Guide. 

Multi-family Residents: Contact your property manager to arrange for a bulky item collection for an additional fee to safely and responsibly manage large/bulky items such as furniture, appliances, mattresses, toilets, sinks, water heaters, and large construction materials. Alternatively, the property manager may request an open-top debris box for property-organized clean-up events for the associated container collection rate.

What is Accepted in My Landfill Bin/Cart?

Acceptable items include non-recyclable, non-compostable, and non-hazardous items such as:

• Plastic bags, film, wrap (e.g., zip-top storage bags, shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, air pillows, and product wrap)
• Plastic straws and utensils
• Plastics labeled #3-7
• Aseptic, multi-layered containers (e.g., juice, soup, and milk cartons and pouches)
• Snack packaging (e.g., chip bags and candy wrappers)
• Styrofoam products (e.g., cups, plates, meat/seafood trays, packing peanuts and blocks)
• Broken glass/mirrors (must be packaged safely)
• Ceramics
• Hoses
• Plastic or wire clothes hangers that cannot be donated
• Carpets, rugs, mats and other textiles that cannot be donated
• Shoes, clothing, and toys that cannot be donated
• Diapers and personal hygiene products (e.g., sanitary napkins, used tissue, and disposable gloves and masks)
• Pet waste (must be bagged)

What is Prohibited in My Landfill Bin/Cart?

Recyclable and compostable materials may NOT be disposed of in your landfill cart as per California’s Organics Reduction and Recycling Law (SB 1383). Recyclable and compostable materials must be properly sorted.

• Dirt, rock, asphalt, concrete, and brick
• Tires
• Construction and demolition debris
• Household hazardous waste such as paints, batteries, and chemicals
• Electronic waste such as televisions and computers
• Used motor oil and oil filters
• Fluorescent light bulbs/tubes
• Medicines and medical sharps such as syringes and needles

It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) such as chemicals, cleaners, fertilizers, paint, pesticides, propane tanks, sharps, and electronic waste in your recycle, compost, and landfill carts. HHW materials require careful disposal by a certified facility. Safely dispose of HHW for free at an Alameda County HHW Drop-off Facility or at County-sponsored events throughout the year. For drop-off facility locations, hours, and a list of accepted items, call 800.606.6606 or visit StopWaste.org/HHW.

Have a Question or Request?

Multi-family Property Owners and Managers: Request free technical assistance from dedicated recycling coordinators at Republic Services and Tri-CED Community Recycling to help start or improve your property's recycle and/or compost collection program, comply with State and local regulations, and realize potential cost savings. Free technical assistance includes:

• Assistance subscribing to mandatory recycle and/or compost collection services. 
• Waste assessments to determine the optimal collection service level for your property and potentially achieve cost savings. Subscribing to recycle and compost collection services may help your business realize cost savings as recycle and compost collection services cost 40% less than comparable landfill (garbage) collection service.  
• Staff trainings to ensure proper sorting, share best practices, and answer questions.
• Setting up indoor color-coded and labeled collection containers.
• Educational materials such as posters, service guides, and outdoor/indoor container decals to educate employees, contractors, and/or tenants on proper sorting. 
• General support to help your multi-family community maximize recycling opportunities and to reduce waste.

Request to speak with a dedicated recycling coordinator for free technical assistance!

For additional information and resources including how to order free indoor decals and customized signs, contact StopWaste at 510.891.6575 (leave message for call back) or email rules@stopwaste.org. 

More Information?

When in doubt, find out! Visit our Multi-Family Publications & Resources page to learn more about waste prevention, proper sorting, and other available programs and services. For more information about Union City's curbside collection program, call Union City Recycles at 510.675.5433.