Missed Collection or Questions

Call Recology at (650) 967-3034 (Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or leave a message in their voicemail. Before you call, please read below for possible reasons that your carts were not collected.

Missed collections due to driver error or truck breakdown will be collected the same day if the drivers are still on route, or the next business day. For Friday routes, leave your cart out on Saturday and Monday until it is collected and be sure to call Recology to register the missed collection. If a non-collection notice was left, please follow the instructions to correct it (see below).

Collection schedules may also be affected by holidays. Enter your address into Recology's Collection Calendar widget to see if the Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Holidays affected the schedule.

Contaminated Containers

Recycling and compost carts will not be collected if the carts are "contaminated" with trash or other non-recyclables. For example, plastic bags and wrap, styrofoam and pizza boxes are not accepted for recycling; and palm fronds, plant pots and dirt are not accepted for compost. The driver will leave a notice on the cart to advise you of the problem and how to correct it.

If you get a notice, please remove the contaminants and call Recology Mountain View at (650) 967-3034 to arrange another collection (fees apply). If the contamination is not removed, the cart may be collected as trash and a charge will appear on your utility bill.

For a list of what items are accepted for recycling, please visit What's Recyclable.

Overflowing Containers

Residential trash carts will not be collected if they are overflowing or if there are extra bags on top of or next to the cart. If you occasionally have extra trash, please purchase an extra trash sticker from a local Safeway or Nob Hill store in Mountain View, or from the City Finance & Administrative Services Department at 500 Castro Street, or from Recology at the Mountain View Recycling Center at 935 Terra Bella Avenue. If you often have more trash than will fit in the cart, please contact the City Finance & Administrative Services Department, Utilities Section at (650) 903-6317 to increase your trash service.

Residential recycling or yard waste carts will not be collected if they are overflowing. The lids help to direct the flow of the recycling into the split-truck and prevent litter from developing. Please contact Recology Mountain View ((650) 967-3034) to learn about free curbside extra recycling set outs or arrange for a free larger or second recycling cart, or use one of the free On Call Plus Clean Up Days.

Commercial or Apartment Dumpsters will not be collected if they are overflowing or blocked by trash bags or parked cars. Please contact Recology Mountain View at (650) 967-3034 to arrange for special collection of extra materials and/or increase trash service.

Other Issues

Be sure to set out carts in the street (gutter) by 7:00 a.m. on collection day near your driveway away from parked cars, overhanging trees, and basketball hoops. (Basketball hoops are not allowed in the street--put equipment on your own driveway.)

Set out carts no later than 7:00 a.m. no matter what time the driver usually comes because traffic, route changes, or mechanical issues can affect when the driver reaches your home. If your cart is set out by 7:00 a.m. and is not collected, please call Recology at (650) 967-3034 to report a missed collection.