Solid Waste & Recycling Programs

Recycling Collection


The City of El Cerrito operates the curbside collection of recyclables from all homes, businesses, and multi-family dwellings within the City.


Solid Waste and Green Waste Collection

East Bay Sanitary Company at 510-237-4321 is the City's franchised hauler for garbage and green waste. Please contact them directly when you have questions about garbage and green waste collection services.

Questions about recycling, green waste, or garbage? Check out our brochure, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Recycling and Garbage Services in El Cerrito.

Services


Among the solid waste and recycling collection services provided to El Cerrito Residents are:
  • Weekly curbside collection services:
    • Weekly collection of recycling (grey container)
    • Weekly collection of green waste, including food scraps (green container)
    • Weekly collection of garbage (blue container)
    • FREE “special pickup” services for seniors with a medical issue. Doctor's note required.
  • Drop-off and other collection services:
    • Convenient and free drop-off recycling of a wide range of materials at the El Cerrito Recycling Center
    • FREE curbside, one time Annual Clean-up of extra materials: recyclables, green waste, and garbage (Please call to make advanced arrangements.)
    • Free drop-off of Household Hazardous Waste at WCC HHW Facility in Richmond
    • Free curbside collection of HHW for seniors and the disabled
  • Special Recycling Events:
  • Biannual citywide garage sales  

Please note: We are a one stop recycling facility. However, not all items are included in the curbside program. For example, the following items must be recycled here at the Drop-off Center: batteries, CFL bulbs, electronics, large pieces of scrap metals, medicines/needles, and Styrofoam. Drop-off Recycling Center information.

All of these services are provided for via rates charged to all homes and businesses for the collection of solid waste. For details on the rates, see our rates page. Some fees for services at the Recycling and Environmental Resource Center may apply.

Download the Master Fee Schedule (PDF) for the Recycling + Environmental Resource Center (PDF) and review item # 5 for a list of these fees.

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.

The Recycling Center and Offices are closed the following holidays:
New Year's Day, Dr. MLK Jr. Birthday, Presidents' Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day (and the day after), Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and starting at Noon on New Year's Eve Day.

"A Greener El Cerrito" Newsletter - View an archive of the Operations and Environmental Services Division's Newsletters, both the Residential and Commercial editions. These newsletters provide helpful hints and best practices for using our solid waste and recycling services.