Acceptable yard trimmings (inside cart): - Grass, leaves, twigs, pruned clippings*
- Branches less than 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length*
* For extra yard trimmings cart collection, call Recology at 650-967-3034 for an extra pick up at no cost (if collected on same day as recycling). Put extra yard trimmings in open-top bags or other containers marked "extra yard trimmings" visible to the driver.
** For collection of large branches, call Recology at 650-967-3034 for an On Call Plus Collection (free to most residents) or a Special Collection (fee for apartments). A reduced rate recycling box is available for large amounts of yard trimmings by calling Recology above.
Unacceptable yard trimmings (dispose as garbage):
- Food Waste, Scraps or Produce*
- Fruits*
- Vegetables*
- Bamboo
- Cactus
- Ice plant
- Yucca
- Palm fronds
- Poison oak/ivy
- Plastic plant pots**
- Plastic tarps
- Garden hoses
- Plastic plant identifiers stakes or tags
- Dirt, soil, concrete
- Wood landscape materials such as bender boards, mow strips, arbors, trellises, pickets, fences, railroad ties, and wood used for retaining walls.
*You can recycle food waste, fruits, vegetables and other yard trimmings in a backyard home composting bin. Take a compost workshop through our countywide program--call 408-918-4640 or www.reducewaste.org to register.
** Plastic plant pots are not compostable or recyclable even if marked with a recycling symbol. Only plastic bottles or food/beverage tubs are accepted for recycling if marked with a recycling symbol #1 through #7).
What to Do with Fall Leaves?
Put leaves in your yard trimmings cart or compost them in your backyard. Please do not pile them in the street unless you are in the special street sweeping area (650-903-6329).
Piles of fallen leaves offer the perfect opportunity to create compost in your backyard. Composting is the natural decomposition of organic materials into a fertile soil amendment. Composting is easy, fun and educational. If you start this Fall, you will have nutrient-rich compost ready in time for planting your Spring garden.
Compost Workshops
The Santa Clara County Home Composting Program offers home composting workshops at the Mountain View Community Center in Rengstorff Park and other locations. Learn how to turn your grass, leaves and kitchen scraps into nutritious soil for your garden and get a compost bin at a discounted rate. Pre-register by calling the Rotline at 408-918-4640 or visit http://www.reducewaste.org/.
In addition, you can also join neighborhood composters by searching the web. Visit Peninsula Composting Club, which is a peer-to-peer email support network of Bay Area composting enthusiasts eager to share their experiences and learn from others' experiences. Search for other groups at http://groups.google.com. Visit the City's Neighborhoods webpage to view Mountain View Neighborhood Associations to see if they have a neighborhood composting group or blog.
Master Composters
You can also learn more by becoming a Master Composter in Santa Clara County and have an opportunity to teach home composting classes. Please contact www.reducewaste.org for more information or call 408.918.4640.
Training includes workshops on the art and science of basic and worm composting, field trips, certification and all training materials. Master Composter training enhances the skills of community leaders, activists, educators, environmentalists, gardeners, and recyclers. We encourage adults of all ages and abilities to apply. If you have ideas and energy for community participation, this class is for you.
Where Can I Go For Free, Ready-To-Use Compost?
Mountain View residents may pick up free finished compost and mulch at the SMaRT Station seven days a week, which is located at 301 Carl Road at the intersection of Carribbean Drive and Borregas Avenue in Sunnyvale (408-752-8530). 
Recology collects yard trimmings throughout the community and brings it to the SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale for processing. The Station produces mulch, good for top dressing, but finished compost is also available. Both mulch and finished compost can be found in piles (loose) at the Station and is available only to residents of Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and Los Altos. Please bring your own shovel and container to load and transport the material. There is a limit of one load per week. These materials are provided to residents at no charge with proof of residency. More information: about compost material quantity limits and tarping requirements.
