San Mateo single-family households are in for pricier trash service starting April 1, after the City Council approved a set of rate hikes that would raise residential garbage bills by roughly 4% to 16%.
How Much Will You Pay?
According to the City of San Mateo Proposition 218 notice, the adopted monthly residential rates for standard weekly service at single-family homes are:
- 20-gallon cart: $42.09 (up $6.00)
- 32-gallon cart: $52.18 (up $6.25)
- 64-gallon cart: $78.93 (up $6.50)
- 96-gallon cart: $107.24 (up $4.16)
The notice lists the new schedule as effective April 1, 2026.
Why the Hike?
City staff and consultants told the council the higher bills are tied to rising costs for collection, processing and disposal across the regional hauling and processing system. Much of the post-collection processing for San Mateo customers occurs at the Shoreway Environmental Center, according to RethinkWaste, and statewide recycling mandates have increased overall program expenses.
What City Leaders Said
Consultants also pointed out that the city carried a one-time $331,333 deferral of Recology increases from 2025 into 2026. Consultant Gabe Sasser highlighted that factor in comments to the San Mateo Daily Journal. The staff report cited an overall year-over-year jump of about 7.5% in processing, disposal and collection costs.
During the Proposition 218 protest period, the city recorded 29 written protests, well short of the simple majority required to block the increase.
Commercial Bills Hold Steady
While single-family customers will see higher charges, commercial and multi-family garbage rates are staying put. The city's Proposition 218 notice says those services already meet their cost of service, so no changes are planned there.
Optional extras such as backyard or distance service, additional carts and on-call bulky pickups will continue to show up as separate line items on Recology bills.
How to Save on Your Bill
Homeowners looking to soften the blow have a few levers to pull. Many households can save money by switching to a smaller garbage cart, ramping up recycling and composting, or cutting pickup frequency where that is allowed.
Recology San Mateo County provides guidance on "right-sizing" service, requesting changes and scheduling bulky-item pickups.
What Happens Next
The new rates kick in on April 1, 2026, and the city says it will keep reviewing garbage and recycling charges annually as regional processing and regulatory costs shift. Materials from RethinkWaste note that ongoing policy changes and capital projects could prompt more adjustments in the future.
Residents with billing questions or those who want to change service levels can contact Recology San Mateo County at 650-595-3900.
