Regional Compliance Hub: San Jose, CA — Chemicals & Electronics (Appointment Required) (EIC)

Regional Compliance Hub: Chemicals & Electronics (Appointment Required) at the city’s primary Environmental Innovation Center (EIC). This facility houses the permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off station for Santa Clara County residents. [1][2][3]

This is the San Jose Environmental Innovation Center. [2]

The “Appointment Only” Hub (HHW + Electronics)

The “Appointment Only” Hub: This facility accepts Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (examples: paint, pesticides, batteries, propane tanks) and Electronics (examples: computers, TVs) per Santa Clara County program rules. [1][2][3]

  • Facility: San Jose Environmental Innovation Center (EIC) — HHW Facility[2]
  • Appointment Required: You cannot just drive up. You MUST make an appointment online at HHW.org or call (408) 299-7300.[1][3]
  • Safety: Exact drop-off instructions are provided after booking to prevent illegal dumping and keep the site secure when closed.[4][2]
  • Free for Residents: The County HHW program is a free service for Santa Clara County residents (bring proof of residency as required).[1][3]
  • Start Here (Book): Schedule an HHW Appointment (County Program)[4]  |  City of San José HHW Instructions[1]

Alternatives (Retailers): PaintCare (Paint Only) + Battery Take-Back Options

Paint (Paint Only): If you only have leftover architectural paint, you can often use PaintCare drop-off locations (many participating retailers). Always confirm accepted products/limits and business hours before driving. [5][6]

Batteries: Batteries are handled as household hazardous waste and should not go in standard carts. Use the County HHW appointment system or other approved take-back options listed by local programs. [7][3]

  • Find a PaintCare Drop-Off: PaintCare Drop-Off Site Locator[5]
  • Battery Rule (Resident Safety): Never throw batteries in the trash—dispose via the HHW program or approved take-back locations.[7]
  • Other Drop Locations: To find approved neighborhood drop-off sites and options, use the County HHW “drop locations” directory (availability varies by material).[8]

Crucial Rights: Free “Junk Pickup” for Tenants (San Jose)

The “Tenant’s Right”: Unlike many cities where only owners can schedule, San Jose’s Junk Pickup program is available at no cost for both property owners and renters, including residents of multi-family complexes. [9]

The Benefit: You can schedule up to 12 items per appointment (examples include mattresses, sofas, tires), with appointments scheduled through the City’s system. [10]

Action: Schedule it yourself! Visit SanJoseCA.gov/311, use the San Jose 311 app, or call 3-1-1. [9][10]

Apartment Note: Ask your property manager where to place items (often curbside or a designated loading zone) before your appointment—setout rules vary by community. [9]

The “Green Bin” Mandate (SB 1383): Green Organics Required

The Rule: Under California law (SB 1383), jurisdictions must provide organic waste collection services to single-family and multifamily residences of all sizes, and waste generators must keep organics out of landfill disposal. [11][12]

Action: Place food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, veggies), food-soiled paper (pizza boxes), and yard trimmings in the Green Organics system where provided. [11][12]

Warning: Do not put food in the garbage. If your building doesn’t provide a green organics option, flag it to property management—organics service is a compliance requirement statewide. [12]

Glass Recycling (Accepted in San Jose Recycling Cart)

Good News: San Jose allows glass bottles and jars in the standard Recycling Cart/Bin. Empty and scrape containers before recycling and follow your community’s posted contamination rules. [13][14]

Verdict: EIC First — “Landfill/Dump” Alternative for C&D Debris

Verdict: For chemicals, batteries, and electronics, the EIC / County HHW appointment program is the correct compliance hub. If you specifically need a more “landfill/dump vibe” for construction & demolition debris, an alternative is GreenWaste Zanker Resource Recovery Facility at 705 Los Esteros Rd, San Jose (fees and material rules apply). [2][15][16]

EEAT Sources: [1] City of San José: Household Hazardous Waste — EIC + appointment via HHW.org / (408) 299-7300  |  [2] City of San José: Environmental Innovation Center — HHW & e-waste drop-off (appointment notice)  |  [3] Santa Clara County HHW Program: Free program for residents; appointment contact  |  [4] Santa Clara County HHW: Drop household waste — appointment + post-booking instructions to prevent illegal dumping  |  [5] PaintCare: Drop-off site locator (PaintCare participating locations)  |  [6] PaintCare California: Program guidance, limits, and call-ahead recommendation  |  [7] SanJoseRecycles: Single-use batteries — handled as hazardous waste (keep out of trash/recycling)  |  [8] Santa Clara County HHW: Drop locations directory (approved options by material)  |  [9] City of San José: Junk Pickup — available for owners and renters; multifamily setout guidance  |  [10] SanJoseRecycles: Junk Pickup — schedule via San José 311; max 12 items per appointment  |  [11] CalRecycle: Statewide mandatory organics collection (SB 1383)  |  [12] CalRecycle (PDF): SB 1383 FAQs — jurisdictions must provide organics collection to single-family & multifamily of all sizes  |  [13] SanJoseRecycles: Glass bottles — “Put in Recycling Cart/Bin”  |  [14] SanJoseRecycles: Jars — recyclable in the recycling stream  |  [15] GreenWaste: Zanker Resource Recovery Facility — 705 Los Esteros Rd (facility overview)  |  [16] City of San José: Business Directory — GreenWaste Zanker Resource Recovery Facility (address)

 
National Doorstep - The Valet Trash Service Experts

San José property owners and community managers: simplify recycling & organics compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with City of San José and County of Santa Clara (unincorporated) requirements and California state mandates (AB 341 / SB 1383) to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey program.

In San José / Santa Clara County, recycling and organics service is mandatory for multifamily generators under local ordinance and statewide law. The City implements requirements in the San José Municipal Code Ch. 9.10 (as amended by Ordinance No. 30684), and the County regulates generators under County Ordinance Code Title B, Division B11, Chapter IX (“Garbage & Refuse”).

  • NOI & Property Value Lift: Sustainability amenities that increase retention and curb appeal.
  • Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling & organics pickup reduces overflow and contamination.
  • Compliance Simplified: Aligns with City / County rules plus CalRecycle mandates (AB 341 / SB 1383).
  • Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly documentation, labels, and resident education in multiple languages.

At a Glance: City of San José vs Unincorporated Santa Clara County

City of San José

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics for multifamily.
  • Applicability Threshold: Multifamily 5+ units (SJMC §9.10.1130).
  • Duties: Provide or arrange recyclables, organics, and trash collection; adequate containers; labeling / signage; resident education; records.
  • Effective Date: Framework via Ordinance 30684 (effective Oct 15, 2021).
  • Key City Links: Ordinance 30684 (PDF) · SJMC Chapter 9.10 (HTML)

Santa Clara County (Unincorporated)

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics participation for generators, including multifamily.
  • Applicability Threshold: “Apartment complex” = 5+ units (defined in County code).
  • Program Duties: Subscribe to three-container service (trash, recyclables, organics); separate materials; provide education / signage; maintain records.
  • Adoption: Ordinance NS-517.94 (Dec 7, 2021) updating Ch. IX “Garbage & Refuse.”
  • Key County Links: NS-517.94 (PDF) · County Code (HTML)

Fines & Penalties Snapshot

  • San José – Administrative Citations (Solid Waste/Illegal Dumping): City memo recommends $1,000 (first), $1,500 (second), $3,000 (third+) for illegal dumping under SJMC 9.10.545. See Staff Memo – Proposed Illegal Dumping Fines. Other solid waste violations follow the City’s administrative citation schedule; see Resolution 2024-260 (Schedule Updates) and SJMC Ch. 9.10.
  • Santa Clara County – SB 1383 Enforcement (Unincorporated): up to $100 (first), up to $200 (second), up to $500 (third). See County Enforcement Tiers and NS-517.94 (PDF).
  • Statewide SB 1383 – Local Penalty Range: Local jurisdictions may impose $50–$500 per day on non-compliant generators. See CalRecycle’s SB 1383 Enforcement FAQ.
  • Tip: Keep service agreements, resident education logs, and contamination audits on file to demonstrate good-faith compliance and avoid citations.

Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County)

Task Action / Requirement Authoritative Links
☑ Verify Threshold 5+ units triggers multifamily obligations (recycling & organics). AB 341 (CalRecycle) · SJ Ord. 30684 · SCC NS-517.94
☑ Subscribe to Required Services Active service agreements for trash, recycling, and organics (three-container system). SJMC Title 9 · SCC Code (Ch. IX)
☑ Containers, Labels & Access Provide separated containers; maintain access; keep clear signage and contamination controls. San José Ordinance PDF · County How-To
☑ Resident Education & Recordkeeping Provide move-in & annual education; keep service + education records ready for inspection. SJMC Title 9
☑ SB 1383 Organics Compliance Ensure weekly organics collection; signage; education; contamination monitoring. SB 1383 Enforcement FAQ

Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your San José or Santa Clara County property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.

Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.

National doorstep pickup

EVERY DOOR. EVERY NIGHT.®️