Public Trash Cans

Public Works installs, maintains and repairs about 3,500 public trash cans throughout the City. We prioritize placing cans along busy commercial corridors, plazas, bus stops, the perimeter of parks and other areas with a lot of foot traffic so people walking down the street or waiting for a bus have an appropriate place to toss gum wrappers, coffee cups and other casual litter. 

Recology, the private refuse hauler, services these public trash cans under an agreement with the City, emptying each one on a daily basis. Higher-use cans may be serviced two or three times a day.

Public trash cans are for public trash only. Placing household or business trash in or around these cans violates Municipal Police Code 35A and offenders face fines of up to $1,000. 

If cans are overflowing, a target of illegal dumping or are broken, please report them to the SF311 customer service center.

If you would like to request a new can, please contact SF311. A Public Works staff member will review the request. Please note that Public Works may remove or relocate a public trash can if it becomes a chronic public nuisance, for example, serving as a magnet for illegal dumping.