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Curbside Service Information

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El Cerrito - Curbside Service Information

Hauler Contact Information

City of El Cerrito's website

What Goes Where

Recycling

The City of El Cerrito operates the curbside collection of recyclables from all homes, businesses, and multi-family dwellings within the city. The City also directly manages and operates the El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center, and hosts events such as the Citywide Garage Sale, Compost Giveaways, and a weekly Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event. The items shown/listed below are accepted in the City’s curbside recycling container.

Materials must be inside container for weekly pickup.

  • Please note, the City also accepts a variety of other materials at the El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center located at 7501 Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito. Visit our Drop-Off Materials Accepted page for a current list of eligible items.

Visit our website to learn more about Solid Waste and Recycling Collection in El Cerrito, or call or email City Staff at 510-215-4350 or green@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us, respectively.

  • Aerosol Can - Empty
  • Aluminum Foil & Pans - Clean
  • Aseptic Packs
  • Cardboard
  • CRV - Glass Beverage Containers
  • Plastic To-Go Containers
  • Glass Bottles & Jars (Food & Beverage) - Non-CRV
  • Milk & Ice Cream Cartons
  • Newspaper
  • Paper
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  • Aerosol Can - Empty
  • Aluminum Foil & Pans - Clean
  • Aseptic Packs
    Rinsed and sealed
  • Beverage Containers - Mixed
  • Bimetal Cans (Food & Beverage) - Non-CRV
  • Blueprint Paper
  • Books - Soft Cover - Non-working
  • Cardboard
  • CRV - Aluminum Beverage Containers
  • CRV - Bimetal Beverage Containers
  • CRV - Glass Beverage Containers
  • CRV - Plastic Beverage Containers
  • Envelopes - Paper
  • Ferrous Scrap Metal/Steel
  • Food Service Ware - Plastic Clamshells/To-Go Containers/Trays
    Only #1, #2, #5 bottles, jugs, buckets, and containers -- no polystyrene #6 or other plastics. Must be Empty, Clean, and Dry. Paper food ware goes in the green cart.
  • Frozen Food Boxes
  • Glass Bottles & Jars (Food & Beverage) - Non-CRV
  • Magazines
  • Metal Bottle Caps
  • Metal Cans
  • Metal Jar Lids
  • Milk & Ice Cream Paper Cartons
  • Moving Boxes & Packing Materials
    Only paper products. No bubble wrap, packing peanuts, plastic bags, foam, etc.
  • Newspaper
  • Non-ferrous Scrap Metal
  • Paper
  • Paper - Shredded
    Place shredded paper loose in container or in paper bag.
  • Personal Care & Beauty Product Packaging
  • Phonebooks
  • Pill Bottles
  • Plastic Bottles & Jugs - Non-CRV
  • Plastic Bucket
  • Plastic Corrugated Signs
    Must be small enough to fit in the cart with the lid closed. Must be rigid (usually PP #5) with any wires removed. Soft/film plastic signs cannot be recycled.
  • Plastic Lids & Caps - Bottles and Jars
    Due to the size, plastic caps need to be screwed back onto the plastic bottles or they may end up in the landfill.
  • Plastic Wide Mouth Container
  • Pots & Pans - Non-working
  • Rigid Plastics
  • Scrap Metal
  • Wrapping Paper - Non-Metallic

Compost

East Bay Sanitary Company is the City of El Cerrito's franchised hauler for green waste. Please contact them directly when you have questions about green waste collection services at 510-237-4321 or info@ebsan.com.

Under Senate Bill 1383 (2016) all residents and businesses are required to subscribe for organics services and properly sort organic materials into the compost container, with very limited exceptions. For more information, visit the City of El Cerrito's Mandatory Organics Recycling web page.

Materials must be inside container for weekly pickup.

  • Compostable Plastic Bags - BPI Certified Products
  • Egg Cartons - Paper - Soiled
  • Food Scraps
  • Food Service Ware - Paper Products - Uncoated
  • Paper Towels & Napkins
  • Pizza Box - Greasy
  • Yard Trimmings & Plant Debris
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  • Cardboard - Waxed
    Only waxed cardboard with NO poly coating.
  • Cardboard - Wet
  • Christmas Trees
    Flocked trees unacceptable, no stands allowed.
  • Compostable Plastic Bags - BPI Certified Products
    Must be labeled as ASTM D6400 bags.
  • Egg Cartons - Paper - Clean
  • Egg Cartons - Paper - Soiled
  • Food Scraps
  • Food Service Ware - Paper Products - Uncoated
  • Food Service Ware - Wood/Bamboo Products
  • Grandma's Fruitcake
  • Paper Bags
    Recycle if clean and dry; Compost if food-soiled or wet.
  • Paper Straws
  • Paper Towels & Napkins
  • Paperboard Boxes/Tubes
  • Pizza Box - Greasy
  • Pizza Box - Non-greasy
  • Straw/Hay
    No manure.
  • Tea Bags
  • Wax & Parchment Paper
  • Yard Trimmings & Plant Debris

Landfill

East Bay Sanitary Company is the City of El Cerrito's franchised hauler for garbage. Please contact them directly when you have questions about garbage collection services at 510-237-4321 or info@ebsan.com

Materials must be inside container for weekly pickup.

  • Berry Baskets - Woven Plastic
  • Compostable Plastic Foodware - BPI Certified
  • Food Service Ware - Condiment Packets & Cups
  • Food Service Ware - Plastic Utensils
  • Glassware - Decorative & Kitchen - Non-working
  • Light Bulbs - Incandescent/Halogen
  • Light Bulbs - Incandescent/Halogen
  • Multi-layer Plastic Packaging
  • Packing Peanuts - Styrofoam
  • Sponges - Synthetic
  • styrofoam blocks
    Styrofoam Blocks
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  • 6-Pack Rings
  • ABS Plastic
  • Agricultural Plastics & Film
  • Air Mattress
  • Ashes - Grill/Fireplace
    No hot ashes -- must be cooled.
  • Auto Glass
  • Auto Upholstery - Non-working
  • Baby Furniture & Equipment - Non-working
  • Balloons
  • Berry Baskets - Woven Plastic
  • Boat Upholstery - Non-working
  • Bubble Envelopes - Paper or Mylar
  • Bubble Wrap
  • Cardboard - Foil-lined
  • Carpet
  • Carpet Padding
  • Cigarette Waste
  • Cleaning Wipes - Used
  • Clothing - Undergarments - Poor Condition
  • Coffee Pods - Compostable
  • Coffee Pods - Metal/Plastic
  • Disposable Diapers & Wipes - Used
  • Dryer & Vacuum Lint
  • Egg Cartons - Plastic
  • Facial Tissues - Used
  • Fire Hoses
  • Foam Padding
  • Food Service Ware - Compostable Plastic - BPI Certified Products
  • Food Service Ware - Condiment Packets & Cups
  • Food Service Ware - Paper Products - Poly-coated
  • Food Service Ware - Plastic Cups & Plates
  • Food Service Ware - Plastic Utensils
  • Food Service Ware - Styrofoam Products
  • Food Service Ware - To-Go Cup Lids
  • Gel Ice Packs
  • Glassware - Decorative & Kitchen - Non-working
  • Hoses - Garden/Rubber - Non-working
  • Hot Tub & Accessories
  • Houseware - Non-working
  • Inks
  • Lab Glassware - Poor Condition
  • Lab Plastics - Used
  • Light Bulbs - Incandescent/Halogen
  • Light Bulbs - Incandescent/Halogen
  • Luggage - Non-working
  • Mirror
  • Mixed Debris
  • Multi-layer Plastic Packaging
  • Packing Peanuts - Starch-based
    Reuse
  • Packing Peanuts - Styrofoam
    Reuse
  • Paper - Carbon
  • Paper - Plastic Laminated
  • Paper Bags - Polycoated
  • Paper Receipts - Thermal
  • Pet Waste
  • Photographs & Photo Paper
  • Pillows - Poor Condition
  • Plant Pots - Broken Ceramic/Terra Cotta
  • Plastic Bags
  • Plastic Bubble Envelopes
    Sometimes paper can be separated from plastic for recycling.
  • Plastic Film & Wrap
    Visit plasticfilmrecycling.org for possible recycling options.
  • Plastic Packaging - Blisterpak
  • Plastic Shower Curtain Liners
  • Plastic Strapping
  • Plastic Straws
  • Plastic Tarps
  • Plate Glass
  • Plexiglass
  • Polyester Batting/Filling
  • Pool Cover - Non-working
  • PVC
  • Rubber Items
  • Rugs & Mats - Non-working
  • Sawdust - Composite Wood/Painted Wood
  • Shoes - Poor Condition
  • Single-use Personal Protective Equipment
  • Small Household Appliances - Non-working
    Dispose as e-waste when applicable. Possible REUSE.
  • Sponges - Synthetic
  • Sporting Goods - Non-working
    If metal, can drop off at Recycling Center.
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Styrofoam Blocks
    If you want to recycle it, contact Recycling Center about drop-off.
  • Styrofoam Sheets
    If you want to recycle it, contact Recycling Center about drop-off.
  • Tape
  • Tennis Balls
  • Tents and Outdoor Gear
  • Tools & Accessories - Hand - Non-working
  • Toys & Games - Non-working
  • Toys & Games - Plastic Parts Only
  • Transparency Film Plastic
  • Tyvek
  • Vacuum Cleaners - Non-working
  • Vaporizers
  • Water Filters
  • Window Treatments - Non-working

Special Items

Used Motor Oil + Motor Oil Filter Recycling

El Cerrito Recycling offers free curbside pick-up for used motor oil and used oil filters (metal filters only – no paper filters). Visit our website for details on how to schedule and prepare used motor oil for curbside pick-up. We only accept the Used Motor Oil Kit container that we provide for curbside pickup. All filters must be bagged. Please call us at 510-215-4350 to schedule an appointment. This pick-up service is available for El Cerrito residents only.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Unflocked, natural Christmas trees free of tinsel, ornaments, stands, etc. will be collected as part of your green waste pick up on your scheduled collection day through the second full week of January. After that period, you can contact East Bay Sanitary at 510-237-4321 to arrange for tree removal for a charge.

Home Collection Service of Household Hazardous Waste for Seniors and Disabled Persons

To be eligible for this pickup service from your home at no additional cost, you must be age 65 or older or disabled, or be unable to get your HHW material to either drop-off facility. 20 pound minimum for pickup (equivalent to 3 full paint cans) and 30 gallons or 250 pounds maximum. Eligible residents can schedule a maximum of two (2) appointments per year per address. Call: 1-888-412-9277

The following items are eligible for curbside pickup, but should not be placed inside any of your carts. Please see notes for pickup details.

Show All Items
  • Christmas Trees
    Unflocked, natural Christmas trees free of tinsel, ornaments, stands, etc. will be collected on your scheduled green waste collection day through the second full week of January. If cutting tree down and placing it in your green waste cart is not possible, place your tree next to your green waste cart and it will be taken.
  • Motor Oil
    Contact Recycling Office about pick-up or drop-off at El Cerrito Recycling Center.
  • Oil Filters
    Contact Recycling Office about pick-up or drop-off at El Cerrito Recycling Center.

Bulky Pickup

FREE one time per calendar year (January through December), households and businesses within El Cerrito can arrange an Annual Clean-up for certain materials to be collected curbside:

  • Recycling - Contact El Cerrito Recycling at 510-215-4350 or green@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us for details on accepted materials and to arrange a clean-up, typically scheduled to occur on a Thursday between 8am and 4pm.
  • Garbage and Green Waste - Contact East Bay Sanitary at 510-237-4321 or info@ebsan.com for details on accepted materials and to arrange a clean-up, typically scheduled on your regular curbside solid waste collection day.

Please Note: We will not pick up loose materials and are not responsible for cleaning the street if materials are improperly bagged or bundled.

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Debris Box / C&D Service

East Bay Sanitary is the only hauler authorized to provide debris box service in the City of El Cerrito. For residential clean-ups, construction, and demolition projects, debris boxes are available in both 20 cubic yard and 30 cu. yd. sizes. For hauling of pure concrete, dirt, or yard waste only 10 cu. yd. boxes are available due to weight limitations. Please call East Bay Sanitary for pricing on Debris Boxes: 510-237-4321

Hazardous or Toxic materials defined by governmental regulations may not be placed in the debris box. For details, please download Debris Box instructions from the East Bay Sanitary website.

  • Yard Trimmings & Plant Debris
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  • Asphalt
    Must be separated from other materials.
  • Bricks - Broken
  • Cinder Blocks - Broken
  • Concrete
  • Concrete With Rebar
  • Construction & Demolition Debris
  • Doors
    If all metal, can drop off at Recycling Center. If wood or glass, C&D Debris.
  • Drywall
  • Lava Rock
  • Pallets - Wooden - Broken
  • Plumbing Fixtures & Supplies
    If all metal, can drop off at Recycling Center. Otherwise, C&D Debris.
  • Porcelain Toilets & Sinks
  • Rock/Gravel - Clean
  • Roofing - Clay Tile
  • Roofing - Concrete Tile
  • Roofing - Wood Shingles
  • Sand
  • Sawdust - Untreated Wood
  • Soil - Clean
    Must be separated from other materials. Can also be used as alternative cover - take to Transfer Station.
  • Tile
  • Wood - Logs
  • Wood - Untreated
  • Wood Chips
  • Wood Scraps - Untreated
  • Yard Trimmings & Plant Debris

Additional Details for Residents

Backyard Collection Service

Backyard collection of solid waste available for persons with mobility limitations. Contact East Bay Sanitary for eligibility details: 510-237-4321 or info@ebsan.com

Drop-off Recycling Center

Some materials which are not accepted in the curbside recycling cart are accepted at the El Cerrito Recycling Center. These materials typically include Clothing; Books; Scrap Metal; Household Batteries; Pharmaceuticals and Medical Sharps; Electronics; Paint and other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (Tuesday only); Cooking Oil; Canned Food Donations; Clothes Hangers; Corks; block white Styrofoam (Thursday only). Not all materials are accepted at all times. Some materials are subject to residency requirements and/or fees. Visit website, call, or email for current hours and accepted materials : 510-215-4350 or Green@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us

HHW Collection

Residents of El Cerrito may drop off certain types of household hazardous waste (HHW) ONLY ON TUESDAYS at the El Cerrito Recycling Center. No more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste is allowed to be transported per vehicle per visit. Individual containers are limited to five-gallon capacity. Proof of residency required. You must drive through in a vehicle. Permits will not allow HHW disposal on foot, on a bicycle, on a motorcycle or in a wheelchair.

The West County Resource Recovery Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility located at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond accepts household hazardous waste from residents of El Cerrito. Visit website or call for hours, materials accepted, residency requirements, etc.: 1-888-412-9277

Holiday Schedule

Curbside collection occurs on all holidays except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. If those holidays fall on a regular collection day, then collection for that day and all following days in that week will occur one day later than usual.

Businesses and Multifamily Properties

Recycling and composting are mandatory for most businesses, institutions, and multi-family properties (5+ units) in the City of El Cerrito. Some exceptions apply for organizations that generate minimal amounts of compostable materials (organics). For more information and free resources such as indoor containers, stickers to label bins, and training, please contact the City of El Cerrito at 510-559-7686.

Illegal Dumping Information

Illegal Dumping and Illicit Discharges
If you witness illegal dumping as it is occurring, dial 9-1-1 immediately and report all relevant details (date/time, location, description of vehicle and driver, etc.) so that law enforcement can investigate.

To report fluids or debris that has been dumped into the gutter, storm drain, or a creek call the Contra Costa Clean Water Program hotline at 1-800-No-Dumping.

To report items dumped on public property please contact the City of El Cerrito’s Public Works Department at 510-215-4369.

For more information on illegal dumping and illicit discharges, please visit the City of El Cerrito’s website.

Hazardous materials or chemical spill incidents
Contact the County Health Services Department - Hazardous Materials Division at 925-655-3200 (during business hours) or 925-655-3232 (24-hour hotline for emergencies only).

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