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Recycling

Show All Answers

1. What do I do with all of my plastic grocery bags?

Plastic bags can be recycled through your curbside recycling program. Bundle bags inside a plastic bag and knot the top. Additionally, many grocery stores collect them for recycling. To learn more about how to recycle plastic bags click here.

2. How do I learn more about the West Valley Clean Water Program?

Call (408) 354-4737 or Click Here West Valley Clean Water Program

3. My trash and/or recycling wasn't collected today. What should I do?

Call West Valley Collection and Recycling, at (408)283-9250, to schedule a relplacement pickup.

4. I would like information about what I can recycle in my curbside recycling containers. Who do I call?

Call West Valley Colleciton and Recycling, (408)283-9250 or visit West Valley Collection and Recycling Website

5. How can I recycle items that aren't collected in my curbside recycling containers, like computers, athletic shoes, wire hangers, and tools?

For information about recycling a wide variety of items, call the Santa Clara County Recycling Hotline at (408) 924-5453 or (800) 522-8414. Visit the website, www.recyclestuff.org

6. I live in an apartment, can I recycle motor oil?

Currently, curbside motor oil recycling is not available for residents of apartments. To recycle your oil, call the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste program at (408)299-7300, or visit their website for a list of certified oil drop-off locations. Please do not pour auto fluids on the ground, into a storm drain, or in a trash can. Visit the website at www.hhw.org

7. How do I recycle my Christmas Tree?

Collection occurs on all holidays EXCEPT December 25th and January 1st. If these holidays occur Monday through Friday, collection will be one day later thoroughout the rest of that week. For example, if the holiday falls on a Thursday, Thursday collection occurs Friday and Friday collection occurs Saturday.

Set out your tree at the curb on your usual collection day - do not put the tree in your yard waste cart.

If your tree is over 6 feet tall, it must be cut in half. All decorations, tinsel, stands, and nails must be removed. Flocked trees are acceptable. For more information, contact West Valley Collection and Recycling at (408) 283-9250 or visit
West Valley Collection and Recycling

8. How do I get rid of paints, pesticides, fluorescent lightbulbs, and other hazardous substances stored in my garage?

Many common household products are classified as “household hazardous waste” by the state, and may not be disposed of in your garbage can. These products include paint, solvents, pesticides, aerosols, fluorescent lights, mercury thermometers, automotive fluids, and batteries. You can dispose of these wastes safely, and at no charge to you, through the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program. You must make an appointment to drop off your items; to make an appointment, call the Household Hazardous Waste appointment line, at (408) 299-7300. For more information, visit the Household Hazardous Waste Program website at www.hhw.org

9. Where would I find out more about composting at home?

Call the Santa Clara County Home Composting Hotline at (408) 918-4640, for advice on home composting, a home composting workshop schedule, information on the Master Composter training program, and details on how to purchase a home composting bin at a reduced rate. Home Composting

10. I understand Los Gatos has two cleanup events per year. Would you please tell me when they are scheduled?

The spring and fall cleanup events are a way that you can get rid of unwanted household items at no extra cost. Call West Valley Collection and Recycling at (408)283-9250, for the date of the next event.

11. When is the Los Gatos Community Garage Sale?

The Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Los Gatos/Monte Sereno unincorporated area Community Garage Sale is traditionally scheduled each May. There is no fee to participate. You can click on the following link for the date of the next sale. Community Garage Sale

12. How do I find out about other citywide garage sales in Santa Clara?

For a list of other citywide garage sales, visit Santa Clara County Waste Reduction Commission.

13. How can I reduce the amount of junk mail I receive?

Get a Junk Mail Reduction Kit today and learn how to reduce the amount of junk mail that you receive at your home. Contact the Town’s Recycling Coordinator at (408) 354-6820. Or download the Santa Clara County Junk Mail Kit.

14. How does my business become a Green Business?

The Santa Clara County Green Business Program is available to help businesses implement environmental practices that reduce pollution and waste generation, and at the same time save money. For more information about this voluntary program, call (408) 441-4329 or visit the program's website more...

15. I am doing some work on my house, and would like to rent a dumpster/drop box. Who do I call?

West Valley Collection and Recycling has an exclusive franchise for the collection of refuse, residential yard waste, and recyclables within Los Gatos and the West Valley cities. This exclusive franchise includes dumpster services. Dumpsters may only be rented from West Valley Collection and Recycling, except where collection and hauling is part of a total service offered by a contractor and is removed by the employees of the contractor. To rent a dumpster/drop box, contact West Valley Collection and Recycling at 408)283-9250.

16. Where are the closest landfills to the Los Gatos area?

Guadalupe Landfill is the closest landfill to Los Gatos:

Guadalupe Landfill
(408) 268-1666
15999 Guadalupe Mines Road (in the Almaden area of San Jose)
Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.

Other local landfills include:

Zanker Road Landfill
(408) 263-2385
705 Los Esteros Road (in the outskirts of Alviso)
Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Newby Island Landfill
(408) 432-1234
Near Highway 880 and Dixon Landing Road (near the border of San Jose and Milpitas)
Hours: M-Sat. 8 a.m.-4p.m.