City of Sunnyvale

Baseline Garbage Service

This service allows one 32-gallon (maximum weight of 70 pounds) customer-supplied garbage can per weekly pick-up. The can must have a close-fitting lid and handles. There is a charge for each additional container set out for collection.

Please set out garbage at the curb in front of your home so that it’s clearly visible to the driver of the collection vehicle by 7 a.m. on your pick-up day. Your garbage will not be collected if:

your can exceeds 32 gallons or 70 pounds
container has broken handles preventing the lifting and dumping of materials into the collection vehicle
garbage is not placed at your curb in time for collection
container is packed too tightly
container is not in the proper curbside pick-up location or is not visible to collection driver
garbage is spilled onto the ground before collection personnel arrive
tree trimmings are tied & bundled larger than 4 feet long and 1 foot wide
ashes, sawdust, cat litter, pet waste and Styrofoam packing pellets are not bagged
gate is locked when collection crew arrives
garbage contains auto parts, tires, hazardous waste of any type including electronic waste or fluorescent light bulbs/tubes

If collection of your garbage was not possible due to any of the factors mentioned above, a tag will be left on your trash explaining why pick up was not possible. If you have any questions concerning the established policy, please contact us.

Unlimited Garbage Service

This service allows an unlimited number of containers per weekly pick-up. Residents with this service can choose either a 64 or 96 gallon black cart (supplied by Specialty). Garbage in excess of the cart’s capacity can be placed in 32-gallon cans (maximum weight of 70 pounds), plastic bags (maximum weight of 30 pounds), or boxes (maximum weight of 24 pounds, maximum dimensions of 2 feet x 2 feet x 3 feet). If you place your garbage in plastic trash bags, please do not overfill or drag them out to the curb as this may cause them to split open when they are loaded into the vehicle.

Set out garbage at the curb in front of your home so that it’s clearly visible to the driver of the collection vehicle by 7 a.m. on your pick-up day. Since automated equipment may be used to empty the garbage carts, it is important to place your cart on the curb near the edge of the driveway unobstructed by any other object. To the extent possible, leave at least 3 feet between your black garbage cart and other objects such as carts, garbage cans, recycling bins, trees, parked cars or lamp posts. Make sure to put the cart on the curb area with the arrow on the cart lid pointing toward the street.

Your garbage will not be collected if:

your cart weighs more than 200 pounds or your customer-provided cans exceed 32 gallons or 70 pounds
customer-provided cans have broken handles preventing the lifting and dumping of materials into the collection vehicle
garbage is not placed at your curb in time for collection
container is packed too tightly
container is not in the proper curbside pick-up location or is not visible to collection driver
garbage is spilled onto the ground before collection personnel arrive
tree trimmings are tied & bundled larger than 4 feet long and 1 foot wide
ashes, sawdust, cat litter, and pet waste are not bagged
gate is locked when collection crew arrives
garbage contains auto parts, tires, hazardous waste of any type including electronic waste or fluorescent light bulbs/tubes

Debris Box Service

Residential customers occasionally may need a debris box to dispose of waste from special projects such as home construction and remodeling. Customers can choose either an 8-, 15-, 20-, or 30-cubic yard debris box. Whenever possible, debris boxes should be placed on private property, not on the street. Debris boxes placed in the street will be dumped and removed at the end of 30 days. Customers must relieve Specialty from any liability for normal wear and tear to paved areas.

Because of highway weight restrictions, debris boxes of any size may not contain more than seven cubic yards of rocks, concrete, asphalt, dirt, sheet rock, stucco or other dense/heavy materials. Customers disposing of only these dense materials should consider ordering an 8-cubic yard "rock box." Because they get recycled, discounted pricing applies to "clean" rock box loads that contain only asphalt and rebar-free concrete.

If a debris box is overloaded, the customer will be responsible for removing the excess material prior to pickup. Extra charges may also be assessed if the driver must make an extra trip to the site due to an overloaded box or if access to the debris box is blocked. Sunnyvale residents may call the Sunnyvale Commercial Utility division at (408) 730-7681 to order a debris box and for cost information. Contractors should call Specialty directly at (408) 565-9900.

Prohibited Materials

To find out how to dispose of prohibited materials, refer to Household Hazardous Waste, the SMaRT Station^®, or call the Sunnyvale Recycling Program at (408) 730-7262.

The following materials cannot be collected at the curb by Specialty:

computer monitors and televisions (cathode ray tubes)
fluorescent light bulbs or tubes
oils other than used motor oil
hazardous materials or products
caustic, corrosive or toxic chemicals
stumps or branches larger than 6” in diameter and 4’ long
paints and other liquids
batteries
tires
auto parts
large dead animals (larger than a cat)
dirt or sod

Ashes, sawdust, cat litter, pet waste, and Styrofoam packing pellets must be bagged.

Large Household Item Disposal Options

If the item is useable, please consider donating it. See Reuse Resouces 2007
You may also put large items at curbside for collection during spring and fall curbside cleanups.
You may bring items to the SMaRT Station.
Or you may contact the City of Sunnyvale, Utility Billing, Customer Service at (408) 730-7400 for a special curbside collection by Specialty Solid Waste & Recycling.

Needles, syringes and lancets -- Sharps

Needles, syringes and lancets, known as "sharps," must be disposed of properly to help protect workers' and others in the community.

The best practice is to put used sharps in a specially-designed sharps container that is available from your health-care provider or pharmacy. When your sharps container is full, simply bring it to the SMaRT Station Recycling Center, 301 Carl Rd., Sunnyvale (click here for directions).

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not only workers, but “Children, adults, and even pets are also at risk for needle-stick injuries when sharps are disposed improperly at home or in public settings.” Thank you for your help in safely disposing of sharps.

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Container Cleanliness

To keep the carts and recycling bins in sanitary condition, residential customers may need to clean them from time to time by hosing or washing the inside or outside of the container.

If your cart needs cleaning, try these suggestions:

Find an unused space in your backyard where you can rinse your cart, then empty the wash water onto a grassy area. The water will not harm the grass, and you can collect any solid material with a rake and dispose of it. Let the area dry completely before use.
Clean smaller garbage cans by rinsing them with water and disposing of it in your sink. The drains in your home go through the sanitary sewer to the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant where the water is treated before it is discharged to the Bay.
Place all wet waste in tightly sealed bags before you put it in your cart. This will keep the garbage from leaking into your cart, which causes obnoxious odors.

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Public View

Garbage, yard waste, and recycling containers must be kept out of public view except as necessary to accommodate collection. Containers may be in public view from 12:01 p.m. the day preceding pick up until 6 a.m. the day following pick up.

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