Unincorporated Santa Clara County Yard Waste Program

Unincorporated Santa Clara County Yard Waste Program Yard waste collection is available to all residents of Unincorporated Santa Clara County free of charge.

Please contact us for more information about our yard waste program.

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Acceptable Green Waste Materials
Only place green waste materials into your green container!
Accepted Yard Waste
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Tree and shrub prunings
  • Weeds
Important Green Waste Notes!
  • Do not put yard waste in plastic bags.
  • Do not place yard clippings in plastic or paper bags. Place green waste loose in container.
  • Tree and shrub prunings must be cut small enough to fit inside the container.
  • Fill your provided green container completely before using any personal containers or bundles.
  • Our automated trucks have a weight limit of 150 pounds. Carts filled to capacity with heavy materials can exceed this weight limit and may not be collected.
Unacceptable Green Waste Materials
Please do not place the following materials into your green container!
Construction Debris
  • Concrete, rocks, sod, dirt, asphalt, lumber, plywood, particle board or other construction materials
Electronic / Universal Waste
  • Televisions, computers, cell phones, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, mercury switches
Garbage
  • Plastic bags
  • Un-recyclable items
Household Hazardous Waste
  • Paints, solvents, motor oil, cleaners, corrosives, used syringes
Organic Material
  • Bug, moth or ant-infested material, food scraps, animal feces or manure, tree stumps or trunks, painted or treated wood
Recyclable Material
  • Recyclable glass, metal, paper and plastic

Home Compost Bins

Home CompostingWe all know that composting will help you recycle your yard trimmings and kitchen scraps at home...but don't forget, it can also help make your garden a little greener too!

The Santa Clara County Home Composting Education Program offers a high density polyethylene bin, made with 50% recycled materials for only $50.00 each (tax included).

Compost accessories are also available for sale and include the "Wingdigger Compost Aerator" for $15.00, the "No Wait Compost Thermometer" for $20.00, and a kitchen counter food scrap container for $15.00. Worm bins are also available for $10.00 (worms not included).

To purchase a compost bin or accessory, call 408-918-4640 for an appointment.

Service Information

  • Please set out materials by 5:30am on your scheduled collection day. A special charge may be incurred if collection trucks need to return.
  • Extra garbage must be bagged, boxed or bundled and prior arrangements for pickup must be made with Recology Silicon Valley. Extra Bag Tags are available for purchase through Recology Silicon Valley Customer Service. Extra Bag Tags have no expiration date and can be used any time for collection on your regularly scheduled garbage pick up day.
  • Please report missed pick-ups to our office by the following business day.
  • Recology Silicon Valley is not responsible for any articles left on or near collection carts.
  • Recycling, green waste and garbage containers are collected by a semi-automated sanitation truck. The automated truck requires ample room to collect containers safely and effectively.

Please contact us for more information on container placement, or any other service.