Garbage & Recycling

Garbage and recycling pick-up service is a franchise granted by the Town through the South Bayside Waste Management Authority to Recology.

Recology
225 Shoreway Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
Website
(650) 595-3900

Trash, Recyclables and Organics Collection

Trash, recyclables and organics are collected weekly.

Residents are encouraged to place the recycling containers at the curb no sooner than the evening prior to the pickup and to remove them as soon as possible after pickup, but no later than the evening of pickup.

To find out when your regular collection day is you can visit the Recology website Service Day Look Up or download the map (PDF).

Complaints About Service

Residents should first contact Recology at (650) 595-3900 about their concerns. In general, most problems can be resolved with a phone call. The Town's franchise requires Recology to be responsive to residents' needs, and procedures are in place for the Town to fine Recology for patterns of poor customer service.

Atherton Residential Days of Collection

Mandatory Commercial Recycling - AB 341

The new California Assembly Bill (AB) 341 requires all businesses that generate four (4) or more cubic yards of garbage per week to recycle by July 1, 2012. The specific statutory language for AB 341 can be found in the State’s Public Resources Code: PRC Division 30, Part 3, Chapter 12.8, Section 42649.

 Businesses include, but are not limited to:

  • Office buildings
  • Retail
  • Restaurants
  • Non-profits
  • Strip malls
  • Government offices
  • Schools

 The purpose of the new law is to:

  • Reduce garbage from landfills
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

 For more information please visit the Rethink Waste website.

Other compliance

In addition to having recycling services services provided by Recology, customers can also self-haul the recyclables or arrange for their pickup.

Construction and Demolition Debris

Atherton requires applicants for demolition and building permits to execute and adhere to a Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan. Contact the Town’s Building Department for additional information.

South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) - www.rethinkwaste.org

The Town is a member of a joint powers authority that includes 11 other public agencies. The SBWMA owns the Shoreway Environmental Center where all trash, recyclables and organics is delivered after collection from the Town.

For additional information about recycling programs contact: 

CalRecycle

SBWMA (South Bayside Waste Management Authority)

San Mateo County Recycling Program 1-888-442-2666

San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste (650) 363-4718