On Call Plus is a free curbside collection cleanup service for residents, scheduled by appointment, to set out extra trash, recycling, or compost PLUS up to three bulky goods, such as appliances or furniture.
Eligible properties include houses (1-8 units), condominiums, townhouses and mobile homes. This program is not available to apartments (9+ units), but managers may arrange a complex-wide Special Collection service (fees apply). This program is for residents and tenants living in the home to discard items--it is not for a landlord's use in remodeling the unit or cleaning out after a tenant has moved.
Residents may schedule up to two (2) cleanups per calendar year. Each one allows for the collection of bagged or boxed household items from the curbside (planter strip or gutter) in an area no larger than 4 foot high by 4 foot wide by 8 foot long, PLUS up to three bulky goods, such as appliances and furniture. Appointments are non-transferable, expire in mid-December, but may be exchanged for a Voucher to self-haul items to the SMaRT Station for recycling or disposal.
Scheduling Appointments
Appointments must be scheduled before any items are set out for collection. The appointment system provides convenience for residents, increases recycling diversion, and reduces vehicle emissions. Items must be set out no later than 7 a.m. on scheduled collection day.
Appointments are scheduled on the regular collection day so that materials are collected by trucks already servicing the route. A separate bulky goods truck collects furniture and appliances. Group items for collection by recycling, compost, trash and bulky goods.
By picking up items by appointment with the right truck for the job, more materials can be recycled and diverted away from the landfill. In order to achieve Zero Waste Goals, the program does not allow for neighborhood or complex-wide clean up appointments to be scheduled on a single day. The On Call Plus appointment system is more cost-effective and produces more recycling than discontinued city-wide clean up days.
For more information about what is accepted and how to set out for On Call Plus, see the following chart or call Recology at 650-967-3034.
How to Set Out for On Call Plus Service
Before you set out items, make sure you have an appointment. Call Recology 650- 967-3034 to schedule an On Call Plus curbside collection.
Items may be collected by different trucks, and should be kept separated by type, e.g. trash, recycling, and yard trimmings. Bags, boxes and bundles may not weigh more than 50 pounds each or be longer than 4 foot in length to fit in the truck. Bulky good items are collected using a hand dolly and flatbed truck.
How to set out materials at the curbside:
| No Fee Items |
Pick-up Preparation |
| Bulky Goods (refrigerators, air conditioners, computers, televisions, household furniture, washer, dryer, water heater, couch, chair, mattress, up to 4 passenger tires, lawnmower, BBQ) |
Place at curbside on top of the planter strip or in the street next to the curb (do not block the roadway). Remove or securely tape doors closed of refrigerator or freezer to prevent curious children or animals from becoming trapped inside. Keep all items away from traffic |
| Garbage |
Bag, box or bundle (50 lb. weight limit per item) |
| Recyclables* |
Bag, box or bundle (50 lb. weight limit per item) |
| Cardboard boxes |
Flatten and tie or tape into bundles up to 3’ x 3’ in size |
| Carpet (no more than 6” in diameter) |
Tie into bundles no more than 4’ long |
| Consumer electronics (radios, CPUs, VCRs, printers, etc.) and small household goods |
Place items in bags or boxes |
| Light construction materials (doors, windows, plastic sheds, lumber, sinks, toilets, drywall, electrical, plumbing) |
Bag, box or bundle (50 lb. weight limit per item)** |
| Yard trimmings |
Keep cactus or palm fronds separated from other yard trimmings |
| Tree branches (no more than 6” in diameter) |
Tie into bundles, no more than 4’ long. No stumps. |
Accepted Items for Donation
The following items in good condition may be donated in your On-Call Plus set-out. Please group these items together and label for "Donation":
- Clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, backpacks, and luggage
- Kitchen equipment and small appliances, such as toasters or microwaves
- Electronics, 21" televisions or smaller, stereos, radios, and video games
- Sporting equipment, such as bicycles and skateboards
- Tools
- Musical instruments
* Effective July 2013, items in cart plus up to 2 containers in a paper bag or small box (no recycling in plastic bags).
**This service is intended for materials generated by residents performing light construction work. Different trucks are used to pick up different-sized materials (garbage truck, rear loader, flatbed truck). Call Recology first to ensure it can be collected or you can self-haul with a free Voucher (in lieu of curbside appointment) to the SMaRT Station. If you need or prefer a debris box (fee), please call Recology as they are the City's exclusive hauler for debris and recycling services.
| Items Not Accepted at Curbside |
How to Dispose |
| Concrete, soil, rock, and tree stumps |
Take to SMaRT Station or call Recology for a roll-off box |
| Household hazardous waste (such as paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, solvents, fertilizers), creosote timbers, vehicle parts or batteries, fluorescent tube lights |
Household Hazardous Waste Services |
| Construction materials and debris too large, heavy or dangerous for pick-up service (boxes of tiles, concrete, rock, stumps, and windows) |
Call Solid Waste staff for possible donation locations at 650- 903-6311, take to SMaRT Station, or call Recology for a roll-off box |
