• Click here to see Bulky Pick Up and Recycling program guidelines (pdf format).
• Call Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) at (510) 613-8710 to schedule your pickup appointment.

Scroll below for the following information:

• What's Changed?
• How can residents get service?
• Frequently Asked Questions

What's Changed?

Call-for-appointment service

Old program of pre-scheduled, neighborhood clean-up was replaced with new, call-for-appointment service in 2004. Residents must now schedule their own, individual appointment to get bulky pick-up service.

Convenience

Residents may now schedule pick up any time from February through December (bulky pickup service is not available in January).

More recycling

New program includes recycling of much more material and will help Oakland reach the City Council's goal of 75% waste diversion by 2010. Other cities that have switched to programs similar to Oakland's new program have dramatically increased their recycling rate for bulky pickup. Oakland's Bulky Pickup and Recycling Program's recycling rate has increased from under 10% recycling to over 40%!

Increased value to residents

Eligible residents may set out more properly prepared, designated household recyclable items, reserving their 3-cubic-yard limit for non-recyclables waste items (see Guidelines (pdf format)).

Less illegal dumping

Neighborhood clean-ups often attracted illegal dumping. Appointment-style program offers a much smaller target for would-be illegal dumpers.

How can residents get service?

• As in the past, only single family homes, and 2- 3- and 4-unit residences are eligible.
• Occupants of 1-unit single family homes can schedule service by calling WMAC directly at (510) 613-8710.
• For 2- 3- and 4-unit residences, only the landlord/property owner can schedule pickup Tenants must have their landlord/property owner schedule their pickup with WMAC.
• Landlords/property owners may schedule a different appointment date for each unit or the same date for all of the units in the same building.
• WMAC will schedule appointments on the residents' regular garbage service day.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When can I set out items for pickup?
• When can I call WMAC for an appointment?
• How far in advance must I call to schedule an appointment?
• Will I have to pay more for this new service?
• I'm a renter. How do I schedule a pickup?
• I live in a 4-unit building. Do all the households in my building have to schedule pickup on the same day?
• I live in a 5-unit building. Can I get this service?
• I saw the driver mixing the recyclable items with the garbage. Aren't they just throwing away the stuff I set out for recycling?

When can I set out items for pickup?

You must have an appointment with WMAC. Once you have an appointment you may set out items for collection no sooner than the day before your scheduled appointment, and no later than 6 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled appointment.

When can I call WMAC for an appointment?

You may call WMAC at (510) 613-8710 from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, to schedule your appointment. Please note that there is no bulky service January 1 through January 26. Appointments are available January 29 through December 31, 2007. Call before December 14 for appointments in the second half of December 2007.

How far in advance must I call to schedule an appointment?

You may schedule your bulky pickup within 2 weeks of your call, or you may schedule further in advance if you choose.

Will I have to pay more for this new service?

NO. It is included in the monthly garbage rate.

I'm a renter. How do I schedule a pickup?

• If you rent a 1-unit, single family home - Call WMAC directly (510) 613-8710.
• If you rent a unit in a 2-4 unit building - Only your landlord or property owner may call WMAC to schedule a pickup Call your landlord or property owner and ask them to schedule a pickup date for you.

I live in a 4-unit building. Do all the households in my building have to schedule pickup on the same day?

NO. Your landlord or property manager may schedule a different pickup date for each unit in the building.

I live in a 5-unit building. Can I get this service?

• NO, your home is not eligible. This service is included in the garbage rates of 1-4 unit residences only.
• You can get similar service for a fee from WMAC. Call and ask for a cost quote for the "Job Truck".

I saw the driver mixing the recyclable items with the garbage. Are they really recycling everything I separate for recycling?

• YES! YES! YES!
• WMAC uses two trucks for Bulky Pick Up:
  1. A flat bed truck is used to pick up the large, recyclable items such as large appliances, mattresses, tires, computers, monitors and TVs. ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE RECYCLED.
  2. A second, regular garbage truck picks up all of the rest of the recyclable items AND all of the non-recyclable waste items (yes, your recyclables and waste are mixed in this truck!). All loads from this truck are delivered to a recycling facility where the recyclables are separated from the waste.
• All of your properly prepared recyclables ARE RECYCLED!

For more information or to schedule a pickup appointment, call Waste Management of Alameda County at (510) 613-8710.

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