The RethinkWaste service area includes the following twelve communities:

Since the CartSMART program has just started, give the carts you have a chance to see if they are the right fit for your service needs. After a few weeks of the new weekly service, if you still find that you need to exchange your carts for a different size, contact Recology through their website or call them at (650) 595-3900.

With the new Recycle Cart, you now have single stream recycling, where all recyclables can be mixed together - no more sorting! You can mix newspapers, junk mail, cardboard and other paper products with plastic, metal and glass containers.

Visit our CartSMART Recycle Services page for details.

Starting January 3, 2011 you can put yard trimmings and food scraps and food- and beverage-soiled paper products in the Compost Cart. Things like leftovers, meat and bones, dairy, fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, pizza boxes and paper plates, napkins and cups will be composted along with grass clippings, prunings and other yard trimmings.

Visit our CartSMART Compost Services page for details.

Basically anything that you can’t put in the Recycle or Compost Carts belongs in the Garbage Cart. Items such as Styrofoam packaging, peanuts, and food containers; bagged animal waste and diapers; ceramics, glassware, mirrors and window glass; wrappers, juice pouches, juice and soup boxes lined with foil; and plastic bags, buckets and broken toys.

No household hazardous waste and chemicals, electronics, sharps, medicines, liquids, CFLs, motor oil and filters, cell phones and batteries, sod, dirt, rocks, concrete, bricks, or hot ashes.

Visit our CartSMART Garbage Services page for details.

All three of your carts will now be picked up every week!

All three of your carts must be placed curbside (in the street) with the wheels against the curb and the arrows on the lid pointing toward the street. Please try and leave about 24 inches between each cart to allow for proper collection. If you live on a street without a curb, place them roadside, again with the arrows on the lid pointing toward the street. Cart placement in the street is required because Recology San Mateo County is using automated trucks with mechanical arms to collect the carts.

Yes, you can rent additional carts from Recology San Mateo County for a monthly fee.

Yes, Recology San Mateo County will provide backyard service as follows:

Backyard Collection Service: If you do not wish to leave your carts out curbside or roadside, you can request Backyard Collection Service. Recology will make arrangements to service your carts from a mutually designated area for an additional fee, dependent upon the distance and elevation from the curb.

Special Handling Service: If you have a medical issue that prevents you from bringing your carts out curbside or roadside, Recology will service them for you at no extra charge. You will be asked to provide proof of handicap status by a licensed physician, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or evidence that there is no one else living on the premises who can physically move the carts for you.

Contact Recology at (650) 595-3900 for more information.

No. The kitchen pail was provided for in-home use only, do not set it out curbside for collection.