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What Day Is Trash Pickup in San Jose, CA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for San Jose

  • Trash day: Thursdays, collected by San Jose Recycles
  • Recycling: weekly on Thursdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: call 311 — free, no limit

Trash pickup in San Jose is weekly on Thursdays. San Jose Recycles collects trash, recycling (weekly on Thursdays), and yard waste (weekly). Bins out by 6:30 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

San Jose Recycles

Municipal service

Contact

408-535-3500

Official website

Trash Pickup

Thursdays (weekly)

Set out by 6:30 AM

Recycling Pickup

Thursdays (weekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Thursdays

Recycling Collection

Weekly

Thursdays

Yard Waste

weekly

Tuesdays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with San Jose Recycles for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

San Jose accepts 14 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 Jose

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Call 311 or hauler

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Call your waste hauler for pricing.

Bulk pickup details for San Jose

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in San Jose 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 Jose

Composting in San Jose

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 Jose.6 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in San Jose

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in San Jose?
Trash pickup in San Jose, CA is weekly on Thursdays. Set out your bins by 6:30 AM. San Jose Recycles handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected weekly on Thursdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in San Jose?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In San Jose, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in San Jose?
To schedule bulk pickup in San Jose, call 311 or your hauler. Call your waste hauler for pricing.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in San Jose?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in San Jose. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with San Jose Recycles 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 Jose?
San Jose accepts 14 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 Jose have composting?
Yes, San Jose 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 Jose?
If your trash was missed in San Jose, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:30 AM. Then call San Jose Recycles 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 Jose?
San Jose has approximately 5 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 Jose

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

More San Jose Resources

Parking & Tickets

Fines, street cleaning, how to fight a ticket in San Jose

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Back to San Jose overviewAll trash & recycling guides

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