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Extra Curbside Services

Residents with curbside cart service can take advantage of free extra recycling and yard trimmings collection, along with curbside pickup of additional items listed below. Extra trash collection is available for a fee. These services are only available to single-family homes and small apartment buildings with individual curbside cart service. For services available to multifamily residences with shared services or businesses, please visit the Trash & Recycling Services home page.

See below for set-out instructions for the following materials:

Extra recycling (containers and paper)
Large cardboard
Clothing and textiles
Used cooking oil
Batteries, motor oil, cell phones, compact fluorescent bulbs
Extra yard trimmings
Extra trash and trash stickers
Bulky item pickup

Extra Recycling

If you occasionally have extra recycling that doesn’t fit in your split cart, set out up to 2 extra containers (paper bag or box – no plastic bags) of recycling next to your cart. Be sure to separate your recycling as you do with the split cart - keep your recyclable containers in a separate bag or box from paper materials.

If you regularly have extra recycling, order a free larger or second cart from Recology at 650-967-3034.

Large Cardboard

For large pieces of cardboard that cannot be reused, fold or cut them so they are no larger than 3’x3’, tie or tape together into a bundle, and place next to the recycling split-cart where it is visible to the driver.

Take large amounts of cardboard to the Mountain View Recycling Center, 935 Terra Bella Avenue, Monday-Saturday.

Additional Curbside Collection

Residents with curbside cart collection can also recycle several additional items, following the set-out instructions below. These items should never be placed inside carts.

Batteries	Place used household batteries in the bag provided by Recology Mountain View and set on top of the split cart. To request a new battery bag, contact Recology at 650-967-3034 or use your own clear, sealed plastic bag. *To reduce the risk of fire and other hazards*, tape battery terminals before putting them in the bag. You may also take used household batteries to either the Mountain View Recycling Center or the SMaRT Station.
Clothing and Textiles	Place clothing and textiles in a secured, clear plastic bag marked “TEXTILES” and place it on top of or next to the compost cart, in a location where it is visible to the collection truck driver, on your regular weekly collection day. Holes, permanent stains and other imperfections are okay, but the clothing and textiles do need to be clean (washed) prior to collection. Accepted clothing: socks, shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, skirts, tank tops, jackets, sweaters, pajamas and robes. Accepted textiles: laundered sheets, pillowcases, bed covers, towels and curtains. Shoes of all kinds (even single shoes) are also accepted if placed in a separate bag from clothing and textiles. Not accepted: pillows, underwear and bras, wet or unlaundered material and linens infested with bed bugs.
Motor Oil and Filters	Put used motor oil and filters in containers provided by Recology Mountain View (650-967-3034) and set on top of the curb near your recycling split cart. You may also take used motor oil, filters, antifreeze and other vehicle fluids to the SMaRT Station at 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale for free disposal (proof of residency required).
Cell Phones	Place phones in a clear, sealed plastic bag and set on top of recycling cart.
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)	Place CFLs in a clear, sealed plastic bag and set on the curb next to the recycling cart (make sure they are in a location visible to the collection truck driver) or drop off at the Mountain View Recycling Center (proof of residency required). No fluorescent tubes, please - those must be taken to the SMaRT Station.
Used Cooking Oil	Place in a clear plastic bottle or jug with a screw-top lid (limit two per week) and set on top of the curb next to your recycling cart in a location visible to the driver. You may also bring up to two jugs per week to the Mountain View Recycling Center during Buy-Back hours.

single family cart setout

Extra Yard Trimmings

For extra yard trimmings service, set out up to 2 extra containers using large paper lawn and leaf bags or plastic cans (no metal cans or plastic bags). Remember, collection of yard trimmings carts (now called compost carts) is weekly. The special Fall Leaf collection is no longer necessary.

If your home is subscribed to individual cart service, you may participate in the Food Scraps program, but please put food scraps only in the compost cart (formerly called yard trimmings). You may set out extra yard trimmings as described in the first bullet above.

If you regularly have extra trimmings, order a free larger or second cart from Recology at 650-967-3034.

Holiday tree collection starts December 26 and ends the third Friday in January.

Trash & Extra Trash Stickers

Call Recology Mountain View 650-967-3034 to schedule a free On Call Plus Clean Up appointment or an extra collection (fee).

If you regularly have extra trash, you can order a larger trash cart (rates apply).

If you occasionally have extra trash, you can purchase an extra garbage sticker from most local Safeway stores as well as from the City Finance & Administrative Services Department or the Mountain View Recycling Center at 935 Terra Bella Avenue. Extra garbage stickers are sold for $6 for each 32-gallon bag.

Stores wanting to sell stickers should contact City of Mountain View, Recycling & Zero Waste staff at 650-903-6311 or Recycle@MountainView.gov.

Cart Repair & Cleaning

Contact Recology at 650-967-3034 or by email to repair a cart or bin.

Can I rinse out my carts during a water shortage?
Yes, using water for health and sanitary reasons is allowed to clean your trash, recycling, or compost carts. The best practice is to lightly rinse the cart on the private sidewalk leading up to your front door and next to your landscaping. That will make it easier to sweep up any bits of paper or other residue after the sidewalk dries; and water will run off into your landscaping (instead of into the gutter or street which flows into storm drains and the San Francisco Bay).

For other water regulations information, please visit Water Conservation Regulations.

Contact Recology at 650-967-3034 to ask if cart cleaning services might also be available (fee may apply).

Business or apartments using dumpsters must contact Recology for steam-cleaning. The Regional Water Quality Control Board does not allow cleaning of dumpsters outdoors.