CCCityCheck
SafetyCostCitiesProvidersSearch

What Day Is Trash Pickup in Santa Cruz, CA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Santa Cruz

  • Trash day: Tuesdays, collected by Waste Management
  • Recycling: biweekly on Thursdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: call 311 — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Santa Cruz is weekly on Tuesdays. Waste Management collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Thursdays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Waste Management

Private hauler

Contact

311

Official website

Trash Pickup

Tuesdays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Thursdays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Tuesdays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Thursdays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Fridays

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

Recycling Rules

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz

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 Santa Cruz

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz

Composting in Santa Cruz

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 Santa Cruz.2 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Santa Cruz

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Santa Cruz?
Trash pickup in Santa Cruz, CA is weekly on Tuesdays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Waste Management handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Thursdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Santa Cruz?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Santa Cruz, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Santa Cruz?
To schedule bulk pickup in Santa Cruz, call 311 or your hauler. Call your waste hauler for pricing.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Santa Cruz?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Santa Cruz. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Waste Management 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 Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz have composting?
Yes, Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?
If your trash was missed in Santa Cruz, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Waste Management 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 Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

More Santa Cruz Resources

Parking & Tickets

Fines, street cleaning, how to fight a ticket in Santa Cruz

AI Visibility

Does ChatGPT recommend Santa Cruz businesses?

Back to Santa Cruz overviewAll trash & recycling guides

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