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What Day Is Trash Pickup in San Mateo, CA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for San Mateo

  • Trash day: Mondays, collected by Republic Services
  • Recycling: biweekly on Wednesdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: call 311 — free, no limit

Trash pickup in San Mateo is weekly on Mondays. Republic Services collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Wednesdays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 6:30 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Republic Services

Private hauler

Contact

311

Official website

Trash Pickup

Mondays (weekly)

Set out by 6:30 AM

Recycling Pickup

Wednesdays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Mondays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Wednesdays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Thursdays

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

Recycling Rules

San Mateo 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 Mateo

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 Mateo

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in San Mateo 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 Mateo

Composting in San Mateo

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 Mateo.1 drop-off location for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in San Mateo

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in San Mateo?
Trash pickup in San Mateo, CA is weekly on Mondays. Set out your bins by 6:30 AM. Republic Services handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Wednesdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in San Mateo?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In San Mateo, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in San Mateo?
To schedule bulk pickup in San Mateo, call 311 or your hauler. Call your waste hauler for pricing.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in San Mateo?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in San Mateo. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Republic Services 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 Mateo?
San Mateo 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 Mateo have composting?
Yes, San Mateo 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 Mateo?
If your trash was missed in San Mateo, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:30 AM. Then call Republic Services 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 Mateo?
San Mateo has approximately 1 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 Mateo

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 Mateo overviewAll trash & recycling guides

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