San Francisco Refuse Rates (October 2024 - September 2025)

No extra charge for collection less than 25 feet from curb. 

Distance charge per cart for collection within each 25-foot increment thereafter,

Households with income less than or equal to 200% of the poverty level may qualify for 25% base and volume discounts. Nonprofit housing organizations may qualify for 10% discounts.

Distance, elevation and access charges are waived for customers with a

permanent disability that pay for individual service and certify they are

physically unable to place carts at the curb and no able-bodied persons

live in their building. Customer must place carts in a location as accessible

as possible for collection.

Residential and apartment rates apply to single and multi-family homes, flats,

apartments, condominiums, tenancies in common, in- law units, lofts,

live/work spaces (unless clearly commercial), single room occupancy hotels

(with an apartment license) and low income housing. Buildings with more

than 600 rooms (not counting kitchens and bathrooms) or with carts 3-yards 

or larger or compacted service, mixed use buildings without dedicated residential carts and all other buildings are charged commercial rates. Customer must provide accurate unit and room counts, subject to verification by Recology.

City law mandates everyone must have adequate refuse service, pay for

service on time and properly separate recyclables, organics and

trash. Minimum weekly service per unit is 16 gallons for trash, 16 gallons

for recycling and 8 gallons for organics, unless there is no contamination

in any carts. carts may be shared by dwelling units within one building if refuse

service minimums are met. Apartment rates are for shared carts only.

Recycling, organics and trash carts should be at the same location. Carts shall

be unobstructed and placed for easy access so they can be used and serviced

in a normal and safe manner, as determined by Recology.

Refuse is to be in standard carts. Loose material, overflow (lid must be closed),

overweight (more than 2 pounds per gallon) or non- standard carts may be 

charged the next highest standard cart rate. Cardboard must be placed in a

recycling cart, cardboard box or paper bags not exceeding 2 feet in any 

dimension (8 cubic feet). Customers with excess cardboard not in a cart on 

service day may be charged $5.46 per 8 cubic feet.

Additional frequency charges are linear (weekly service charges are

multiplied by the number of collections per week). 16 and 20- gallon carts

are not serviced more frequently than once per week. Customers must exceed 

minimums for more than once weekly service.

Saturday service is 75% more than the applicable weekday rate (including

volume, distance, elevation, access and other special service charges). To

be eligible for a Saturday collection, at least 3 days per week service is required.

Sunday service is 175% more than the applicable weekday rate (including

volume, distance, elevation, access and other special service charges) for

weekday service. For Sunday collection, daily service is required.

Street level and curb is where Recology’s vehicle must park to service customer's 

carts. Distance is measured from vehicle along service path to carts. Elevation is determined by adding all distances up and down along service path.

An access charge will be applied for each cart at a location when a key, 

padlock, combination lock, key pad, entry code, electronic door opener, 

transmitter or other similar entry mechanism is required to enter or 

leave/secure premises. An access charge will be applied for each occurrence 

of unlocking a cart. An additional access charge will be applied for relocking 

each cart serviced should a front-loader driver be required to get out of the 

vehicle again. A charge will not be applied for re-securing rear load or side 

load carts at the curb.

It is the customer's responsibility to monitor all services and charges and notify

Recology of any possible discrepancies. Service credits will not exceed 30 days or one billing cycle, whichever is greater, from the time of notification by the customer. Recology performs periodic audits and will correct charges and recommend service changes.

Recology is responsible for normal wear of carts provided to customers.

Customers are responsible for damaged carts beyond normal wear, reporting

missing carts, excessive missing carts, and may be responsible for replacement cost. Cart cleaning service is available at an extra charge.

$20 will be charged to open a service account. Closing an account is only 

allowed for residency changes. Credit will be given for suspension of service 

(e.g., vacations) for one to three months. Customers must notify Recology of the suspension and restart dates before start of suspension. Base charges are not credited and an administrative charge of $10 is charged to restart service after suspension.