Residential Recycling
For Property Managers

Recycling is free.
Recycling is not mandatory. But it is recommended.

A successful recycling program at a complex may help to reduce garbage costs by either reducing the frequency of garbage pickup, the size of the garbage dumpster, or both.

To start recycling service, call the Los Altos Garbage Company at 408-725-4020.

To report a problem with a missed pickup or a damaged container, call 408-725-4020.

For detailed information:

  • Recycling Containers

  • Collection Schedule

  • What We Recycle-and How

  • Factsheets for tenants

    • Recycling Containers:

    The Los Altos Garbage Company can provide property managers with the following recycling containers:

  • Can & Bottle 96-gal wheeled carts
  • Mixed Paper 96-gal wheeled carts
  • Newspaper 96-gal wheeled carts
  • Yardwaste 96-gal wheeled carts (every other week pickup available only)
  • Cardboard bins-white, labeled, locked dumpsters, with access slots cut across the front-sized as needed.

    • Missing or damaged recycling containers
    If recycling containers are missing or damaged, contact the garbage company for help: 725-4020.

    Need more recycling carts?
    Call the Los Altos Garbage Co. 725-4020

    Contaminated recycling containers
    If recycling containers are rejected by the recycling driver because they are contaminated with garbage, the property manager has the choice of either:

    1. removing the contamination themselves, or
    2. requesting that the garbage company empty the container as garbage, and bill the property management group for the extra garbage disposal

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    Collection Schedule

  • The collection schedule is arranged by the complex's property manager with the Los Altos Garbage Company 408-725-4020.
  • Recycling is picked up weekly (except yardwaste-which is picked up every other week).

    Missed pickups
    Should be reported immediately to the Los Altos Garbage Co.: 725-4020.

    Extra pickups
    Property managers can order occasional extra pickups of recyclables, when necessary.
    If your recycling collection containers are regularly overfull, please request more wheeled carts from the garbage company, or request more frequent pickup. No charge.
    Call 408-725-4020.

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    What We Recycle-and How
    Cans & Bottles
    Mixed Paper
    Newspapers
    Corrugated Cardboard
    Used motor oil and oil filters
    Yardwaste

    Used motor oil and Oil filters
    If the complex manager is interested…
    The garbage company will accept used motor oil and oil filters for recycling at apartment and condominium complexes-with the prior approval of the property manager, at no charge. Contact the garbage company if interested-408-725-4020.

    Motor oil would be recycled in one-gallon plastic containers with tight-fitting screw-top lids. Milk and water jugs with pop-on lids would be acceptable. Pop-on lids must be taped securely. Used motor oil filters (fully drained) would be recycled in sealed, leak-proof plastic bags ("zip-lock" bags).

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    Yardwaste

    If the complex manager is interested…

  • Yardwaste can be collected for recycling, every other week-at no charge.
  • Yardwaste is collected in 96-gal. yardwaste toters, The toters can be provided to apartment and condominium complexes by the garbage company-if service is desired.
  • Put leaves, small branches (cut into 3 ft. lengths or less) and grass clippings in the yardwaste toters
  • Yardwaste restrictions: No palm fronds, stumps, ice plant, poison oak, cactus, vegetables, or bug-infested materials. No rock, concrete, sod, ashes, asphalt or building materials. No plastic bags

    • Factsheets For Tenants
    Custom-designed factsheets and doorhangers are available to managers for distribution to resident tenants and owners. Contact city staff for information: 408-777-3354.

    Download these factsheets:

    Sample Doorhanger

    Chinese Factsheet for Apts. Tenants

    Donation Agency List

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