The Clean-up Day is a service for Palo Alto residents to dispose of extra debris and unwanted household items that may be filling garages, attics or backyards.

The Clean-up Day is designed to meet your needs and your schedule. Palo Alto residents can schedule one Clean-up Day each year. 

How it Works

• Schedule your Clean-up Day by calling GreenWaste at 493-4894 at least one week in advance. GreenWaste will collect the extra material from your curbside on the regular scheduled garbage collection day.
• Place loose items in disposable containers (containers will not be returned). Total weight must be less than 60 pounds.
  Individual items must be no larger than 4'x4'x3', and weigh less than 60 pounds.
• A maximum of four bulky items (weight limit of 200 pounds each) will be collected at no additional fee. Please let GreenWaste know you will have bulky items when you make your appointment. Additional bulky items are accepted for a fee.
• Place bulky items such as, furniture, mattresses, and appliances, separate from the rest of the material.
• Place all materials at the curb by 6AM on your normal collection day.

 Bulky Items
Four bulky items (weight limit of 200 pounds each) will be collected at no additional fee. GreenWaste will collect additional bulky items for a fee. Appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and water heaters may be picked up at the rate of $25 each. Sofas, beds, mattresses and box springs will cost $15 each.

Preparation
For safety purposes, tape closed or securely tie doors of all appliances.
Place these items separately from the rest of your material at the curb. A different collection vehicle will pick up bulky items.

 Materials Not Accepted

• Hazardous materials (paints, thinners, acids, chlorine or pesticides)
• Tires or batteries
• Household garbage (wet garbage, food)
• Loose materials on the street (must be placed in disposable containers)
• Construction materials such as rocks, dirt and concrete
• Automobile parts

Stop Illegal Dumping and Scavenging
The City of Palo Alto Municipal Code, Sections 5.20.030 and 5.20.220, prohibits illegal dumping and scavenging. If you witness illegal dumping or scavenging, obtain the license number, car description, and report it to the Police Department at 650-329-2413.

Tips to Reuse and Recycle during the Clean-up Day
Follow the tips below for a successful and more environmentally friendly Clean-up Day.

• Recyclopedia
  Help the environment by reducing materials going to the landfill. The Recyclopedia lists resources for reusing and recycling many common items such as electronic equipment, flower pots, building materials, and more!
     
• Recycle
  Are any of the materials recyclable? Use your normal curbside recycling service for collection of yard trimmings and cardboard. Place old magazines, catalogs and old files in your mixed paper recycling container. You can also recycle small pieces of scrap metal (toaster size or smaller) at your curbside by placing them inside a small cardboard box.
      
• Recycling Drop-Off Center
  The Recycling Drop-Off Center accepts materials that may not be accepted at the curb.