A public resource guide
Free unlimited junk pickup through three franchise haulers, SB 1383 mandatory organics sorting, Santa Clara County HHW with appointment, and updated medication disposal rules (no longer at HHW as of Jan 2025).
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
San Jose, CA offers one of the most generous bulk waste programs among major U.S. cities: unlimited free junk pickups for residential customers, scheduled on demand through your franchise hauler. There are no annual limits, no appointment windows with months-long waits, and no per-item fees. The catch: San Jose uses three different private haulers (GreenTeam, Garden City Sanitation, and GreenWaste Recovery) and your hauler depends on your address. California’s SB 1383 mandatory organics sorting also applies citywide. This guide covers every disposal option for San Jose residents.
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San Jose residents in homes and mobile home parks can schedule unlimited free curbside junk pickups through their recycling collection company. Items accepted include mattresses, sofas, refrigerators, tires, and most large household items.
Find your hauler first: San Jose uses three private franchise haulers. Your hauler depends on your address. Use the Residential Services Lookup at sanjoseca.gov, dial 311, or call (408) 535-3500.
· GreenTeam of San Jose: (408) 282-4400 · greenteam.com
· Garden City Sanitation: Contact via Residential Services Lookup
· GreenWaste Recovery: Contact via Residential Services Lookup
Collection day: All collection runs Monday–Friday, once per week, between 6 AM and 6 PM. Carts must be out by 6 AM. Report missed pickups at sanjoseca.gov/311 or (408) 535-3500 if not collected by 6 PM on your scheduled day.
Free motor oil pickup: San Jose offers a unique curbside used motor oil and filter recycling program. Residents receive special oil jugs and filter bags from their hauler, fill them at home, and place them next to the recycling cart on collection day for free pickup.
California SB 1383, effective January 2022, requires all San Jose residents to sort organics into a separate cart. Placing organics in the trash cart is a violation.
· Trash cart: Non-recyclable, non-organic household waste
· Recycling cart: Paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal (loose, clean, dry)
· Organics cart: Food scraps, yard trimmings, food-soiled paper (required by SB 1383)
All carts must be out by 6 AM on your collection day with lids closed and at least 3 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Santa Clara County operates a free HHW facility at the Environmental Innovation Center for San Jose residents. Appointment required — walk-ins are not accepted. Book at hhw.santaclaracounty.gov or call (408) 299-7300. Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 8 AM–noon. The facility address is provided only upon appointment confirmation.
Medications (important update): As of January 16, 2025, medications are no longer accepted at San Jose or San Martin HHW facilities. For prescription and over-the-counter medication disposal, use a drop-off kiosk or mail-back service at Med-Project.org.
· Salvation Army — free pickup for usable furniture and large items. Schedule at satruck.org.
· Habitat for Humanity ReStore Silicon Valley — accepts furniture, appliances, building materials. Free pickup for qualifying donations.
· Goodwill of Silicon Valley — drop-off locations throughout San Jose.
· Second Harvest Food Bank and local mutual aid groups — accept food donations alongside household items.
Given unlimited free junk pickup exists, paid options are mainly useful when you need same-day service, in-home crew labor (items can’t be moved to curb), or next-day completion rather than waiting for the hauler’s schedule.
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For San Jose households who need same-day or in-home pickup, need more capacity than free options provide, or want full-service crew-based hauling, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the San Jose area for upfront-priced pickup.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book a San Jose pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Other paid junk removal services
$70–$4001-800-Got-Junk and College Hunks Hauling Junk serve the San Jose metro. Local independent operators typically offer competitive pricing 20%–30% below national chains. Get 2–3 quotes for larger jobs.
Report via 311 at sanjoseca.gov/311, by dialing 311, or calling (408) 535-3500. San Jose Environmental Services has active illegal dumping enforcement. The city faces significant dumping pressure in industrial corridors and along the East Side and South Valley areas.
See our complete illegal dumping guide for California state penalty information.
Does San Jose offer free bulk junk pickup?
Yes. San Jose residents can schedule unlimited free curbside junk pickups through their franchise hauler (GreenTeam, Garden City Sanitation, or GreenWaste Recovery, depending on your address). Items accepted include mattresses, sofas, refrigerators, tires, and most large household items. Find your hauler at sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 535-3500.
How do I find my trash hauler in San Jose?
Use the Residential Services Lookup at sanjoseca.gov, dial 311, or call (408) 535-3500. San Jose uses three haulers: GreenTeam (408-282-4400), Garden City Sanitation, and GreenWaste Recovery. Which one serves your address depends on your location.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.