Rates, Collection Schedule and Sorting Guides

Cupertino’s curbside garbage, recycling and composting program for residents includes food and yard waste collection for composting, single-stream recycling, used cooking oil collection, battery and compact fluorescent bulb collection, household hazardous waste drop-off, and on-call collection of bulky items. Additional detail can be found in Annual Brochure for Residents(PDF, 3MB).

Cart Set Out Guidelines

• Carts should be a minimum of 18" apart.
• Cart lids should be closed completely with no debris overflowing to allow for proper servicing and reduce litter.
• Carts should not be in the park strip, bike lane. If you reside on a street with a class IV Bike Lane, carts should be placed on divider strip to not block bike path.

Additional Set Out Guidelines

• Batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs, and used oil can be placed out separately from waste carts.
• Extra cardboard that does not fit in your cart can be flatten and stacked neatly next to the recycling cart.
• Extra Bag Tag trash can be placed on the ground next to the trash cart. See additional details below.

Rates

Cupertino residents can choose a 96, 64, 32, or 20 gallon cart for garbage cart size. Rates depend on the size of your garbage cart to encourage waste reduction and promote waste diversion through recycling and composting. Please read the Annual Brochure for Residents to make sure you are sorting your waste correctly. Current Residential Single Family Garbage Rates(PDF, 86KB) and Debris Box Rates(PDF, 110KB).

Residents can now pay their bill online using Recology's Bill Pay service.

Low Income Rates

Single-Family residents may be eligible for a discounted service rate if enrolled in the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) CARE program. Providing proof of enrollment in PG&E's CARE program is required. Call Recology at 408.725.4020 for more information.

See how Cupertino's rates compare to other jurisdictions in the area using the chart below.

Please note, the rates shown below are on a monthly basis, residents receive a bill once every three months. These prices are based on the size of your garbage cart. Costs will increase for a larger garbage cart size. Recycling and organic services are included in the cost.

2023 single-family residential garbage rates per month

Average:
20 or 24 gallon cart: $33.05
32 or 35 gallon cart: $41.80

Cupertino’s garbage, recycling and composting program for residents includes food and yard waste collection for composting, single-stream recycling, battery and compact fluorescent bulb collection, household hazardous waste drop-off, and on-call collection of bulky items.

Check out the waste guide(PDF, 3MB) for sorting tips and additional information.

• Current Multi-Family Dwelling Garbage Rates(PDF, 146KB)
• Multi-Family Dwelling Waste Guide(PDF, 3MB)
• Recology Audits & Consultations
• Organics Collection
• Trash Enclosures & Trios(PDF, 713KB)

Battery and light bulb collection may be available at your leasing office of your apartment complex. Please check with your apartment manager to find out what services are available to you.

Details about Bulky Items & On-Call Collection

Residents are eligible for two on-call collections per year at no additional cost. Additional On-Call Collection service is available for a fee. Visit Recology's webpage for on-call collection for more information. Call Recology at 408.725.4020 for more information.

Acceptable Items for On-Call Collection:

1. Construction & Demolition Debris
2. Bulky Goods (Limit of 3 items) such as furniture or appliances
3. Compostable Materials or Clean Wood Waste
4. Extra Garbage & Recycling
5. Electronic Waste

Non-acceptable items (visit County of Santa Clara HHW for disposal)

1. Hazardous waste such as paint, medication, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers.
2. Treated wood such as fence posts and deck material.

Set Out Guidelines

• Combination of loose items must fit within an 8-foot long, 4-foot wide and 4-foot high area
• Items left out for pick up must be on private property only (entrance to your driveway) and not in the street or on the sidewalk.
• Single items should not weigh more than 50lbs each or exceed 6ft in length and must be manageable by one person. If items are bagged the bag must be securely closed to prevent litter.

Extra Bag Tags

Customers who have an extra bag of trash can purchase an Extra Bag Tag by contacting Recology. Extra recycling and organics collection is at no additional cost.

Have you started collecting your kitchen scraps?

Step 1: Collect in your home with a free kitchen pail.

Step 2: Empty into your outdoor compost cart. If contents are bagged, use clear plastic bags. No black bags.

Request yours today and check out these composting tips!

New to the area?

Get your free move in kit to learn all of the services Cupertino helps you sort and reduce your waste. Contact Recology today!

Holiday Tree Collection

Holiday trees can be picked up on the curb if you follow these simple steps:

1. Remove all decorations, lights, and tinsel from the tree.
2. Cut your tree smaller than 5 feet in length.
3. Set your tree out between December 26 and January 31.
4. Place your tree on the curb next to your cart or bin on your collection day. Smaller piece can be put in the organics cart or bin (never in the trash).
   • Flocked trees are accepted
   • Please ensure the organics cart lid is closed.

Recology provides garbage, recycling and composting services tailored to businesses properties based on size and other factors. For more information on commercial rates please call Recology at 408.725.4020

• Current Commercial Garbage Rates(PDF, 146KB) and Debris Box Rates(PDF, 110KB)
• Recology's Commercial Brochure(PDF, 3MB)
• Recology Audits & Consultations
• Commercial Organics Collection

Visit our policy pages to learn more about requirements for businesses:

• Recycling and Organic waste
• Single-use Foodware

Are you doing a construction project, remodel, or big clean out?

Recology can provide a debris box at your home or business to help you divert your waste.

Your project may require a construction waste diversion plan. Find out more about it on our Green Development page.

Recology is the only allowable debris box service for Cupertino. The City has negotiated rates to help keep costs low. See the Debris Box Rates(PDF, 110KB).

Collection for all material occurs between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, once per week.

Collection occurs on all holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. If these holidays occur Monday through Friday, collection will be one day later throughout the rest of that week.

If your garbage, recycling or organics are not picked up by 6 p.m., contact Recology.

Please check our sorting guide, if the item you are looking for is not listed, check Recology's What Bin tool