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What Day Is Trash Pickup in San Francisco, CA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for San Francisco

  • Trash day: Wednesdays, collected by Recology
  • Recycling: weekly on Wednesdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: request online — 2 free/year

Trash pickup in San Francisco is weekly on Wednesdays. Recology collects trash, recycling (weekly on Wednesdays), and yard waste (weekly). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Recology

Private hauler

Contact

415-330-1300

Official website

Trash Pickup

Wednesdays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Wednesdays (weekly)

15 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Wednesdays

Recycling Collection

Weekly

Wednesdays

Yard Waste

weekly

Mondays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Recology for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

San Francisco accepts 15 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for San Francisco

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Request online

Free Pickups Per Year

2 free

Call your waste hauler for pricing.

Bulk pickup details for San Francisco

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in San Francisco by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for San Francisco

Composting in San Francisco

MandatoryCurbside pickup

SB 1383 requires all residents and businesses to separate organic waste. Enforcement began 2024 with fines for noncompliance.

Fines for noncompliance: $50-$500

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in San Francisco.6 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in San Francisco

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in San Francisco?
Trash pickup in San Francisco, CA is weekly on Wednesdays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Recology handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected weekly on Wednesdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in San Francisco?
Yes — Entire pizza box goes in compost (green bin), not recycling. In San Francisco, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in San Francisco?
To schedule bulk pickup in San Francisco, request online. You get 2 free pickups per year. Maximum 10 items per pickup.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in San Francisco?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in San Francisco. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Recology for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in San Francisco?
San Francisco accepts 15 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does San Francisco have composting?
Yes, San Francisco requires composting. Curbside composting is available — use your green bin for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper. Fines for noncompliance range from $50 to $500.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in San Francisco?
If your trash was missed in San Francisco, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Recology at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in San Francisco?
San Francisco has approximately 4 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in San Francisco

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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Back to San Francisco overviewAll trash & recycling guides

Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Recology for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.