Recycling, Solid Waste & Organics

Overview

The City of Eureka Community Services Department is responsible for environmental programs and waste management. Properly disposing of waste, recycling, and prevention of waste is vitally important to making Eureka a more sustainable home. We strive to offer a variety of programs and opportunities to ensure everyone can take waste reduction into their own hands.

The City of Eureka has mandatory universal collection of garbage and recycling in an effort to meet State waste reduction mandates, protect public health, and reduce illegal disposal. The program requires that all occupied properties both residential and commercial subscribe to curbside service through the city's contracted waste hauler.

The City of Eureka is also a member of the JPA HWMA which offers a variety of drop-off services for Eureka residents.

While Eureka has its own ordinances and waste programs, the State of California also has requirements that the City is responsible for implementing. 

  1. Curbside Service, SELF HAUL & STREET SWEEPING

Curbside Service

The city's current contracted waste hauler is Recology Humboldt County.Image of a large green tote for recycling

The City of Eureka requires mandatory curbside service for all residential, multi-family, and commercial properties

Services Offered

  • Garbage (mandatory)
    • Garbage collection is weekly with a minimum requirement of 20 gallons per residence or unit
    • Banned from the garbage
      • Batteries, tires, household hazardous waste, e-waste
      • Never overfill your tote. If the lid cannot close, you need to upgrade to a larger size, or call Recology for an additional pickup for an extra charge
  • Mixed Recycling (mandatory)
    • Recycling collection is weekly. All Eureka residents who subscribe to garbage collection receive a 96-gallon mixed recycling tote at no cost.
    • Commercial businesses can request cardboard only boxes
  • Green Waste (voluntary)
    • Green waste is an optional weekly service. Includes materials like plants, weeds, leaves, and branches. No food waste.
  • Bulky Item Pickup Program
    • All customers get 2 free bulky pickups per year.
    • Accepted Bulky Items:
    • Appliances
    • Electronics
    • Mattresses
    • Furniture
    • Metal Items, including scrap metal
    • Textiles
    • Carpet and padding
    • Small and large loose items (up to 2 cubic yards of small items should be boxed or bagged)

Call Recology at 707-442-5711 to schedule your free bulky item pickup today!

  • Street Sweeping
    • Collecting approximately 1.4 million pounds of debris per year!
    • Every street in Eureka is cleaned with a street sweeper once a month. We ask that you please move your vehicle off the curb once a month to ensure the street sweeper can collect as much debris as possible. You can view the schedule here: https://www.recology.com/recology-humboldt-county/eureka/street-sweeping/
    • If you are unable to move your vehicle, please sweep up any debris around your curb.


To set up, change, or inquire about service, please visit Recology online or call 707-442-5711.

Drop-Off at HWMA

The City of Eureka is a member of the Joint Power Association (JPA) Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA).Image of a green pick-up truck for self-hauling garbage

Services Offered

  • Solid waste disposal
  • Battery disposal
  • Carpet recycling
  • E-waste recycling
  • Fluorescent bulb recycling
  • Green waste recycling
  • Mattress recycling
  • Medical sharps disposal
  • Used motor oil
  • Household Hazardous waste disposal
  • Please visit HWMA for more details about these disposal programs and any associated costs.

  1. RECYCLER'S EXCLUSION
  1. CA STATE SENATE BILL 1383
  1. SOLID WASTE LOCAL TASK FORCE - NEXT MEETING 10/23/2023
  1. EDIBLE FOOD DONATION & RECOVERY
  1. EUREKA WASTE REDUCTION PROGRAMS
  1. BENEFITS OF RECYCLING
  1. city approved hauler list
  1. MISC. INFORMATION