San Jose Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
San Jose recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Cardboard and paper products (clean corrugated boxes, clean office paper, mail, newspapers, catalogs)
- Plastic containers #1 through #7 (clean bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, trays; empty and dry)
- Glass bottles and jars (food and beverage jars; rinsed clean; remove lids)
- Metal food and beverage cans, clean aluminum foil and trays
- Cartons (milk, juice, and soup cartons)
Prohibited items
- Food scraps and organics (use SB 1383 yard/organics collection or composting)
- Polystyrene foam / Styrofoam containers and packaging
- Electronics, lithium batteries, and hazardous materials
- Ceramics, cookware, glassware, mirrors, or window glass
- Hoses, cords, wires, cables, or building construction debris
Can you recycle these items in San Jose?
Can you recycle cardboard in San Jose?
AcceptedFlatten boxes and place inside recycling cart; extra flattened boxes can be bundled next to cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in San Jose?
Accepted with conditionsClean cardboard sections can be recycled; grease-stained or food-soiled pizza boxes go in the garbage cart.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in San Jose?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean plastic bottles and jars.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in San Jose?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean milk jugs, detergent containers, and bottles.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in San Jose?
AcceptedClean rigid plastic containers accepted.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in San Jose?
Accepted with conditionsRigid containers accepted; plastic grocery bags should be bagged together or taken to grocery store take-back.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in San Jose?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse yogurt tubs, condiment bottles, and food containers.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in San Jose?
Not acceptedPolystyrene and foam products (Styrofoam cups, packaging blocks, meat trays) are prohibited from recycling.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in San Jose?
AcceptedClean rigid plastic #7 containers accepted.
Can you recycle glass in San Jose?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse glass bottles and food jars; remove lids; window glass and ceramics prohibited.
Can you recycle aluminum in San Jose?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse beverage cans, tin food cans, and clean aluminum trays.
Can you recycle shredded paper in San Jose?
Accepted with conditionsShredded paper must be placed securely in a clear plastic bag or paper bag before placing in recycling cart.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of San Jose Environmental Services Department · municipal dpw
Phone: 408-535-3500
200 E. Santa Clara St.San Jose, CA 95113
These collection rules cover Zone Residential Automated Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in San Jose, CA?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Set out all carts no later than 6:00 a.m. on your collection day, and no earlier than the day before; collection occurs between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.. These rules apply to Zone Residential Automated Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in San Jose?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Residential Automated Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in San Jose?
Free residential Junk Pickup by appointment for single-family homes and multi-family complexes. Scheduled on your regular collection day for up to 12 items. The listed limit is 12 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 408-535-3500 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Residential Automated Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
What items are accepted for recycling in San Jose?
The listed accepted materials are Cardboard and paper products (clean corrugated boxes, clean office paper, mail, newspapers, catalogs), Plastic containers #1 through #7 (clean bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, trays; empty and dry), Glass bottles and jars (food and beverage jars; rinsed clean; remove lids), Metal food and beverage cans, clean aluminum foil and trays, Cartons (milk, juice, and soup cartons). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Food scraps and organics (use SB 1383 yard/organics collection or composting), Polystyrene foam / Styrofoam containers and packaging, Electronics, lithium batteries, and hazardous materials, Ceramics, cookware, glassware, mirrors, or window glass, Hoses, cords, wires, cables, or building construction debris. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Residential Automated Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).