Santa Maria has a regular trash and recycling collection schedule for residential and commercial customers. Knowing the schedule helps residents and businesses dispose of waste properly and ensures smooth operations of waste collection services.
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about Santa Maria’s trash and recycling collection schedule.
Residential Trash and Recycling Schedule
Trash collection is mandatory for all residential properties in Santa Maria. The City provides trash, recycling and green waste/organics collection services.
Trash Collection
- Trash is collected once per week on your designated collection day
- Place trash carts at the curb by 6am on collection day
- Standard trash cart sizes are 60-gallons and 90-gallons
To find your trash collection day:
- Call the Utilities Department at 805-925-0951 extension 7270
- Email [email protected] with your address
- Refer to the Residential Collection Schedule
Recycling Collection
- Recycling collection alternates every other week from trash collection
- Place recycling carts at the curb by 6am on collection day
- Recycling carts have blue lids
To get recycling collection or confirm your schedule:
- Call 805-925-0951 extension 7270
- Submit a request via the Utilities Department Contact Form
Green Waste/Organics Collection
- Organics collection alternates every other week from trash collection
- Place organics carts at the curb by 6am on collection day
- Organics carts have green lids
To start organics collection or confirm your schedule:
- Call 805-925-0951 extension 7270
- Submit a request via the Utilities Department Contact Form
Holiday Schedule
Trash collection is delayed by one day after these holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Recycling and organics collection proceeds as scheduled.
View the holiday collection schedule.
Commercial Trash and Recycling
The City provides trash and recycling collection services to businesses and multifamily properties with 3 or more units.
Trash Collection
- Frequency: 1-6 times per week depending on needs
- Cart sizes: 300 gallons to 6 cubic yards
- Bin sizes: 1-8 cubic yards
Recycling Collection
- Frequency: Every other week
- 96-gallon carts provided
- Larger bins available upon request
Organics Recycling
- Weekly collection available
- 96-gallon carts provided
- Larger bins available upon request
Contact the Utilities Department to start new service or change existing service.
Dump Days
Santa Maria hosts two dump days per year for residents to dispose of bulky items and excess trash. Dump days are held on the first Saturday in May and October from 7am to 2pm at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill.
Accepted items:
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Tires (limit 10 per resident)
- Yard waste
- Wood waste
- Metal
Not accepted:
- Hazardous waste
- Concrete
Proof of residency is required. No commercial loads allowed.
View the dump day flyer for full details.
Recycling Drop-Off Centers
Santa Maria has several recycling drop-off centers for common recyclable materials:
Stowell Road Recycling Center
Open 7 days per week from 8am – 4:45pm
Accepts:
- Plastics #1-7
- Glass bottles and jars
- Aluminum cans, tin & steel cans
- Mixed paper, cardboard, newspaper
- Used motor oil and filters
Sonya Lane Recycling Center
Open 7 days per week from 8am – 4:45pm
Accepts:
- Plastics #1-7
- Glass bottles and jars
- Cardboard and mixed paper
Knowlton Road Recycling Center
Open 7 days per week from 8am – 4:45pm
Accepts:
- Used motor oil and filters
View all recycling drop-off center locations.
Household Hazardous Waste
The Santa Maria Regional Landfill has a Household Hazardous Waste Facility for safe disposal of toxic and hazardous household materials.
Open to residents:
- Wednesdays 10am-1pm
- Saturdays 9am-3pm
Common accepted items:
- Paint and thinners
- Pesticides
- Used motor oil
- Car batteries
- Cleaners
- Fluorescent bulbs
There are no fees for residents to drop off household hazardous waste.
Learn more about Household Hazardous Waste Disposal.
Bulky Item Collection
Residents can request bulky item collection for oversized items that don’t fit in the trash cart, up to 4 times per year. This service is included with your residential trash fees.
Accepted Items:
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Mattresses
- Electronics
Schedule bulky item pickup by calling 805-925-0951 extension 7270 at least 24 hours in advance. Place items at the curb before 6am on the scheduled collection day.
Key Takeaways
- Trash, recycling and organics collection for residences occurs weekly on designated days
- Commercial customers can customize trash and recycling services
- Dump days allow excess disposal twice per year
- Multiple recycling drop-off sites accept common recyclables
- Household hazardous waste has special drop-off days and guidelines
- Bulky items can be scheduled for pickup 4 times per year
Knowing Santa Maria’s schedule for trash, recycling and disposal makes it easy for residents and businesses to properly handle waste and help keep the community clean.
Reference
https://cityofsantamaria.prod.govaccess.org/services/departments/utilities-department/solid-waste-services
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/utilities-department