Atherton

Backyard Service: Residents may request that GreenWaste collect carts on-property (greater than five feet from the accessible roadway) for an additional fee.

On-Call Clean-Ups: Residents may request up to two on-call clean-ups per year at no additional charge. Call customer service to schedule a collection of up to:

• Two cubic yards of material (rigid container <60lbs or bagged <30lbs) 
• One large appliance 
• One bulky item, and 
• One e-waste item

Bulky Item: Residents may request the collection of bulky items (beyond those included in the on-call clean up) for a fee. Call customer service at least 48-hours in advance.

Extra Material: Extra material will be collected and additional charges will apply based on volume and material type. The first 32-gal of extra material each year will be collected for no additional charge.

• All materials must be properly labeled by material type and set out curbside next to their associated cart
• All material types may be placed in a rigid or otherwise durable and lidded container where combined weight is less than sixty (60) pounds
• Mixed compostable and recyclable materials may be placed in cinched and secured bags where the contents are less than thirty (30) pounds in weight
• Wood debris may be bundled/tied or otherwise secured where each set-out is no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 3’

If you have extra material seasonally or on a recurring or frequent basis, it is less expensive to order additional GreenWaste-provided carts for weekly service. Please note, there is no delivery charge for these additional carts, but there is a per-vehicle trip charge to remove the additional carts.

Extra Cardboard: Cardboard must be set out curbside and secured such that the bundle or box remains intact upon lifting and:

• Flattened and bundled/tied or otherwise secured (e.g. with twine or tape) in a set-out that is no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 3’, or
• Cut and placed inside an intact cardboard box and secured (i.e. to prevent litter) in a set-out that is no larger than 2’ x 2’ x 2’

Holiday Trees: On service day, residents may place unornamented trees (cut to no longer than six foot lengths) curbside, next to service carts for collection. Trees are collected for no additional charge starting December 26 and continuing until the end of January.

Holiday Recyclables: Recyclable materials set out for collection during the week following New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will be collected at no additional charge.

Used Motor Oil and Filters: Residents may set out used motor oil (in plastic containers with a screw-on lid only) and filters (in sealed plastic bags only), next to their blue cart for collection at no additional charge (limited to five gallons of oil per collection). Free containers and bags can be requested by calling customer service.

Household Batteries and Cell Phones: Residents may set out household batteries and cell phones placed on top of their recyclable materials cart in clear ziplock-type plastic bags. Tape the contacts/terminals of lithium and lead acid button cell batteries with clear tape prior to placing them in the plastic bag.

Atherton residents are on a quarterly billing cycle. This means you can expect to receive your GreenWaste invoice in January, April, July, and October.

Atherton commercial customers are on a monthly billing cycle. If you have any questions about your billing, please contact Customer Service.

• Download Residential Rates – Effective Date, January 1, 2025 (PDF)
• Download Business Rates – Effective Date, January 1, 2025 (PDF)
• Download Debris Box Rates
• Download the Physical Limitations Form

What Goes Where & More

Does GreenWaste of San Mateo County offer dumpsters for construction debris?

Absolutely! GreenWaste specializes in construction and demolition debris recycling. We can provide traditional open top dumpsters for construction debris, concrete, dirt, brick, wood, and metal.

Does GreenWaste of San Mateo County offer dumpsters for residential customers?

Yes! We have debris boxes that are perfect for home cleanouts, spring cleaning, remodels and renovations, cleaning up brush/trees around your property, or whatever else your project might be. 

When will my debris box be dropped off and picked up?

Drop-off and pick-up times are dependent on our driver’s route, but we try to accommodate your preferred time as closely as possible. 

Can I place a dumpster/debris box on the street?

Unfortunately, the County of San Mateo limits the placement of a debris box or dumpster on the street. We also recommend placing your dumpster on private property to deter illegal dumping. If you require your debris box be placed on the street, please request a permit from your local city.

What size debris box do I need?

Finding the right size debris box is crucial to ensuring efficient waste management. Here are the different sizes we offer and their typical use:

10-CY: This is our smallest size debris box and is ideal for small-scale projects, such as cleaning out a spare bedroom, decluttering a garage, or small landscaping projects. This size debris box is equal to approx. 3-4 pickup truck loads, depending on the material. This is the only box that accepts dirt, asphalt, concrete, and brick.

20-CY: This mid-sized option is commonly used for larger home renovation projects, such as kitchen and bathroom remodels. These boxes can also accommodate larger amounts of general household waste and debris. This size debris box is equal to approx. 7-8 pickup truck loads, depending on the material.

40-CY: This is our largest standard debris box side and is typically used for significant construction or demolition projects. These boxes can accommodate large volumes of debris including bulky items like furniture, drywall, and other construction materials. This size debris box is equal to approx. 12-14 pickup truck loads, depending on the material.

If you are ever unsure about the appropriate dumpster size for your project, please contact customer service.

The exclusive franchise granted to Franchisee to perform collection services does not extend to any of the following, and Town of Atherton expressly reserves the right to allow other service providers, by contract or otherwise, to perform any or all of the following in Town of Atherton:

1. Collection and processing of any recyclable materials not specifically included in the definition of Recyclable Materials, which have value equal to or more than the cost of collection, including scrap wood, individual pieces of scrap metal weighing more than forty (40) pounds, and other Recyclable Materials. Other persons or service providers shall maintain the right to pay Service Recipients for source separated Recyclable Materials and Service Recipients may receive compensation for such materials; however, other persons or service providers may not receive payment or compensation of any type by the Service Recipient for the collection or processing of such materials.
2. Collection of grease wastes from grease traps or grease interceptors.
3. Collection of horse manure from residences or non-residential properties.
4. Collection of Hazardous Materials.
5. Collection of Non-Hazardous Materials that is greater than fifty percent (50%) liquid (including septic tank pumpings, and other liquid wastes).
6. Recyclable beverage containers delivered for Recycling by Service Recipients under the California Beverage Container Recycling Litter Reduction Act, Section 14500 et seq. California Public Resources Code.
7. By-products of sewage treatment including sludge, sludge ash, grit, and screenings.
8. Hazardous Waste, Household Hazardous Waste, and infectious waste.
9. Source separated E-Scrap and Universal Waste.
10. Organic Materials composted at Residential Service Recipient and Non-Residential Service Recipient Premises.
11. Materials generated by State facilities (including public schools), provided that the generator has arranged services with other persons or has arranged services with the Franchisee through a separate agreement.
12. Organic Materials removed from a premise by a gardening, landscaping, or tree trimming company as an incidental part of a total service offered by that company rather than as a hauling service where no Debris Box Containers are used for the collection and transportation of such materials.
13. Bulky Goods removed from a premise by a property management or maintenance company as an incidental part of the total cleanup or maintenance service offered by the company rather than as a hauling service, where no Debris Box Containers are used for the collection and transportation of such Bulky Goods.
14. Garbage, Recyclable Materials, Organic Waste, Bulky Goods, and Construction and Demolition Debris collected in a Debris Box Container prior to January 1, 2026.
15. Construction and Demolition Debris that is self-hauled by Service Recipients in compliance with Atherton Municipal Code Sections 18.02.050 and 18.02.190.
16. Construction and Demolition Debris that is removed from a premise by a construction and/or demolition company in scheduled dump trucks and where no Debris Box Containers are used for the collection and transportation of such materials.
17. Construction and Demolition Debris that is comprised of roof tear-off debris and that is removed from a premise by a roofing company using Debris Box Containers that are owned by the roofing company for the collection and transportation of such materials.

Mandatory Recycling: California Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341) became effective July 1, 2012. AB 341 mandates recycling for all businesses producing 4+ cubic yards of garbage per week. Subscribing to recyclable materials collection services through GreenWaste will help ensure compliance with AB 341.

Mandatory Organics Recycling: California Assembly Bill 1826 (AB1826) was signed into law in 2014, mandating organics recycling for businesses in California. All businesses in California producing 2+ cubic yards of total generated material per week are required to subscribe to organic material collection services. Since GreenWaste processes the mixed compostables, all businesses are automatically compliant with this regulation.

Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy: California Senate Bill 1383, effective January 1, 2022, requires all Californians to subscribe to their jurisdiction’s organics curbside collection service. For Atherton businesses, GreenWaste provides both a mixed organics stream (gray cart) and a source separated organics stream (green cart). Food scraps, food soiled paper, and other organics are recovered from the gray cart at the GreenWaste San Jose Material Recovery Facility, which serves as a high diversion organic waste processing facility. Businesses are required to provide properly-labeled and/or color-coded containers in all areas where disposal containers are provided, except in restrooms. Annually, businesses must educate employees, contractors, customers, and tenants on how to properly sort organic waste, and all of these users are required to properly sort these materials into the correct containers. Starting in 2022, some food service businesses must donate edible food to food recovery organizations, with others starting in 2024. GreenWaste will be working with the Town of Atherton to raise awareness and provide resources regarding food recovery.