Garbage and Recycling

Welcome to the City of Cupertino's Waste Disposal page. Here you'll find essential details about:

1. Waste management services, including holiday collection schedules, proper disposal methods, and recycling guidelines
2. 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 garbage, recycling, and organic waste. This single-hauler contract ensures competitive pricing and consistent service citywide.

Important Reminders

To view the full Residential Waste Guide for Single Family Homes, visit our Residential Waste webpage.

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• If you have an tan-colored yard waste cart or outdated trash or recycling carts, please contact Recology at RecologySouthBay@Recology.com or 408.725.4020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