Homes—Cart Sizes Homes—Where to Set out Carts for Collection How to Recycle Using the Split-Cart What's Accepted for Recycling in Mountain View? What's Recyclable Detailed Lists Extra Collection Services Recycling Leaders

Homes—Cart Sizes
Residents may choose from different size carts for garbage, recycling and yard trimmings. Contact the City's Utility Billing Service at 650-903-6317 to order or change residential service.

Garbage carts are available in 20-gallon (mini-can), 32-gallon, 64-gallon and 96-gallon sizes (click on Trash Rates). The 20-gallon mini-can for garbage is for residents who don’t produce much garbage or are super recyclers who recycle right (What’s Recyclable).

Recycling and yard trimmings carts are available in 64-gallon and 96-gallon sizes at no charge. See description of the recycling split-cart below.

Homes—Where to Set out Carts for Collection
On collection day, follow these instructions for setting out garbage, recycling and yard trimmings carts:

1. Place carts in the street by 6 a.m. on collection day. Remove carts no later than the next day.
2. Place carts in the street at least 18 inches apart (for mechanical collection). Keep carts away from overhanging trees, carports, balconies and basketball hoops.
3. Store the carts inside the garage or behind a fence, hedge or area screened from street view as a courtesy to your neighbors. If these areas are unavailable, place the carts on the side of the garage or house.
4. Do not place carts on top of the curb or on the sidewalk unless there are obstructions such as parked cars or parking is prohibited. In this situation, drivers will manually collect carts from the top of the curb.
5. To prevent litter, please be sure to bag all garbage, especially polysytrene packaging peanuts (not recyclable).  Likewise, be sure to place shredded paper in a paper bag, closed tightly, before you place it in the recycling cart. 

Remember, garbage collection occurs weekly but recycling and yard trimmings collection occurs every other week. Visit Collection Schedules & Holidays to determine your collection day and recycling week.

How to Recycle Using the Split-Cart
Homes use a 64-gallon recycling cart which is "split" into two sections: one side for newspaper and mixed paper (grey lid) and the other side for bottles and cans (blue lid). The split-cart is collected with a fully-automated truck using a mechanical arm to empty carts. The truck is also split inside to keep paper and containers separated until unloaded at the SMaRT Station. 

What's Accepted for Recycling in Mountain View?
Mountain View accepts the items listed below in the curbside recycling program. These items have enough market value to justify the costs of collection and processing as determined by our recycling processor, the SMaRT Station. However, other recyclables such as plastic bags and scrap metal, may still be accepted but only through drop-off at the SMaRT Station Drop-Off Center.  Items will be added to the list as markets develop and become sustainable.  

What's Recyclable Detailed List (Letter Size)

Mixed Containers (blue lid)
Glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and plastic wide-mouth tubs marked #1 through #7, metal cans and lids (tin, steel and aluminum).

Mixed Paper (grey lid)
Newspapers, catalogs, telephone books, magazines, cereal boxes, paper egg cartons, junk mail, shredded paper, writing paper, small pieces of flattened cardboard (no plastic bags or paper milk cartons).

Cardboard
Large cardboard should be cut into pieces about 3'x3' and placed against the recycling cart for manual collection. If you have several pieces of cardboard, please tie or tape them together into a bundle for easier collection. Place small cardboard pieces into mixed paper side of cart (grey lid).

Motor Oil and Oil Filters
Put used motor oil and filters in containers provided by Recology Mountain View (650-967-3034) and set on top of curb near the split-cart. Sorry, other containers may not be substituted. You may also take used motor oil, filters, antifreeze, and other vehicle fluids to the SMaRT Station, 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale for free disposal (408-752-8530).

Household Batteries
Place used household batteries in the bag provided by Recology Mountain View (650-967-3034) and set on top of the split-cart. Foothill will empty it and return the bag to you for reuse. You may also take used household batteries to either the Mountain View Recycling Center, 935 Terra Bella Avenue, Mountain View (650-967-3034) or to the SMaRT Station, 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale for free disposal (408-752-8530). (Please put tape over battery terminals to reduce the risk of fire. Spent batteries may have enough voltage remaining to start a fire.)

Yard Trimmings

For information about what's accepted or not in the yard trimmings cart, please click here.

Extra Collection Services

Recycling & Yard Waste

Call Recology Mountain View (650-967-3034) to schedule a free On Call Plus Clean Up appointment or an extra collection (fee).

• If you regularly have extra recycling or yard waste, you can order larger recycling and yard waste carts at no charge. You may also drop off extra recycling at the Mountain View Recycling Center, 935 Terra Bella Avenue, near Shoreline Boulevard and Highway 101.
• Sorry, extra recycling will not be collected in bags outside the cart because drivers operate fully-automated trucks with mechanical arms (except as specified during holiday recycling after Christmas Day).

Garbage

• Call Recology Mountain View (650-967-3034) to schedule a free On Call Plus Clean Up appointment or an extra collection (fee).
• If you regularly have extra garbage, you can order a larger garbage cart (refuse rates apply).
• If you occasionally have extra garbage, you can purchase an extra garbage sticker from most local Safeway, Lucky's, Nob Hill, and Rite-Aid stores as well as from the City Finance & Administrative Services Department, the Library (circulation desk), and Recology at 935 Terra Bella Avenue (Tues-Sat 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Bulky Goods

For bulky goods like furniture, appliances or large amounts of yard waste, contact Recology Mountain View for curbside service or you may take these items to the SMaRT Station. For more information, click on Clean Up Programs or SMaRT Station. For bulky goods that may contain hazardous wastes, such as refrigerators, computers and televisions, click here.

Recycling Leaders

Because recycling and yard waste collection occurs every other week for homes, the City offers lawn signs designed to remind your neighbors about recycling day or to answer recycling questions. If you are interested in being a Recycling Leader for yor block, please call the City's Solid Waste & Recycling Program at 650-903-6311 to order a sign.