Use green for compost, blue for recycling, and black or gray for trash, per SF Environment.
For bulky items, schedule a pick-up before you put anything on the curb: (415) 330-1300.
Read on sfenvironment.org and sf.gov, 27 October 2026.
The Three Bins
SF Environment says materials in the blue bin become new bottles, cans and other products, and food, soiled paper and plants in the green bin are composted into soil used by local farms.
Who Collects
Three Recology companies serve the city: Recology Sunset Scavenger, Recology Golden Gate and Recology San Francisco. The provider name is in the top third of your bill.
Bulky Items
Eligible San Francisco residents get curbside pickup of items such as furniture, appliances and mattresses at no charge, and additional pickups cost extra. Schedule online at recology.com or call (415) 330-1300. Hazardous waste, construction debris, auto parts and tires are not accepted.
Related
What We Could Not Confirm
- What goes in the black bin: the page we read did not say.
- How many free bulky pickups you get a year and the lead time.
- The bulky list comes from the city’s cleaning request page; confirm on sfenvironment.org.
Questions People Ask
How do I get rid of a couch?
Schedule a bulky pickup first, then place it at the curb.
Sources
- SF Environment, Mandatory recycling and composting: https://www.sfenvironment.org/mandatory-recycling-and-composting-ordinance (read 27 October 2026)
- SF Environment, Recycling and composting FAQs: https://www.sfenvironment.org/recycling-composting-faqs (read 27 October 2026)
- SF Environment, Bulky items: https://www.sfenvironment.org/bulky-items (read 27 October 2026)
- City of San Francisco, Refuse ratepayer resources: https://www.sf.gov/additional-refuse-ratepayer-resources (read 27 October 2026)