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Love Gilroy: Help Keep Our Community Clean
Littering and illegal dumping have been a real problem in our town in recent years, and it will take all of us working together to help solve this problem.
The City of Gilroy has developed a comprehensive plan to help address this issue that includes prioritizing staff efforts for cleanups and targeted blight removal, partnering with local businesses and organizations, and providing comprehensive information about resources for trash disposal.
Join the cause, and help us keep our community clean.
If you come across illegal dumping of any waste within the City of Gilroy limits you can use the “Report a Concern” module on the City website. Responses to reports will be prioritized based on the details of the report and staff availability.
Volunteer Cleanup Opportunities
Littering and illegal dumping have been a real problem in our town in recent years, and it will take all of us working together to help solve this problem. We’ve developed a variety of volunteer opportunities for the community to get involved in helping to keep Gilroy beautiful.
All volunteers are welcome, including individuals, community groups, businesses, and more. Volunteering with Gilroy’s cleanup program is a great way for students to complete community service hour requirements, and City staff will be available to sign paperwork for completed volunteer time.
For additional information or to learn more about volunteering opportunities, submit inquiry form.
(Spanish) Formulario de voluntariado
Litter Cleanup Program
Monthly Group Cleanup
- December 9 Litter Cleanup Event
- 9 am-10 am
- Location: Downtown (meet at the Downtown Gourmet Parking Lot located at 7360 Eigleberry Street)
- Sign Up
The City of Gilroy will be hosting monthly volunteer cleanups in various areas throughout the city. Details for each cleanup event will be posted on the City’s website, weekly emails, and social media. Individuals and groups are welcome. Typically, these events will occur on Saturday mornings and last no more than 1-2 hours. Volunteers will meet at a predetermined location and will be required complete a liability waiver and receive a briefing. All necessary equipment and supplies will be provided. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. A parent or guardian must be present at the beginning of the event to sign the waiver for volunteers under 18 and must remain with volunteers under 16.
Individual Cleanup
For volunteers interested in helping on an individual basis, the City will provide litter removal kits (safety vest, litter stick, garbage bags, gloves). Individual Cleanups can take place within your neighborhood on your schedule. There is no minimum time requirement for this opportunity. However, volunteers must be at least 18 or 16 or older with parental/guardian consent.
Adopt-A-Spot Program
The Adopt-A-Spot is designed to enable community groups, homeowner associations, businesses, churches, schools, youth groups, and other organizations to play an active role in keeping public spaces clean and beautiful while allowing them to set their own schedule. All Adopt-A-Spot sites must be approved by City Staff. There is a minimum time requirement of 4 hours monthly and a minimum one-year commitment. Make a difference in your community and Adopt-A-Spot today!
Graffiti Cleanup
Graffiti Cleanup is a flexible cleanup opportunity for those interested in removing small amounts of unwanted graffiti on public or private property where permission has been obtained prior to removal. There is no minimum time requirement. However, volunteers must be at least 18 or 16 or older with parental/guardian consent.
The City will provide graffiti removal kits (gloves, goggles, brush, towel) and training to guide volunteers on how to remove graffiti from a variety of surfaces.
For additional information or to learn more about volunteering opportunities, submit inquiry form.
Bulky Items
Recology South Valley can help get your mattress, couch, or any large bulky item out of your sight. Residents get 2 bulk pick-ups a year, curbside, at no charge. Call and schedule a curbside pickup at 408-842-3358.
Prefer to drop it off? No problem. San Martin Transfer Station is open to the public Tuesday- Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm and closed Sunday and Monday. You can contact them at 408-842-3358. Drop-off fees may apply.
San Martin Transfer Station Fees (depending on the items being dropped off):
- Appliance with no freon $30 each item
- Furniture $40 each item
- Mattress $35 each item
To confirm pricing or for more information, call 408-842-3358.
Alternatively, Recology customers have the option to schedule a FREE Recology pick-up of up to twelve 32-gallon garbage bags instead of a bulky item.
You can take advantage of this option twice per calendar year. Restrictions apply, and the pick-up MUST be scheduled ahead of time. To learn more about this Bulky Item Collection option, visit the Recology website or call 408-842-3358.
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste materials are dangerous and carry toxic properties that are unsafe for humans and the environment. Hazardous waste materials include flammable, toxic, corrosive, or reactive products, such as used
- oils,
- paints,
- garden chemicals,
- cleaning products,
- batteries, and
- LED light bulbs.
These items are not permitted in your garbage or recycling container and should be disposed of through the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal program.
The Santa Clara County HHW disposal facility in San Martin is available for hazardous material/waste drop-offs by appointment.
Call 408-299-7300 to schedule an appointment or visit HHW.org.
Electronic Recycling
E-waste materials such as:
- computer monitors,
- cell phones,
- microwaves,
- TVs, and
- light bulbs
contain hazardous elements like lead, cadmium, and mercury, which can harm both humans and the environment.
To find approved e-waste drop-off locations, visit the CalRecycly website.
The Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Program is also available by appointment only.
Recology South Valley Gilroy is another option for e-waste collection. For more information, call 408-842-3358 or visit the Recology website.
Mattress Disposal
Do you have an old mattress taking up space in your home or that you no longer need? Disposing of a mattress is not fun and can be a hassle but fortunately, there are options for you.
Recology South Valley offers Gilroy residents a convenient curbside pickup service. You can schedule a FREE pick-up by calling 408-842-3358. For additional information, visit the Recology website.
In addition, Goodwill Silicon Valley (Gilroy location) accepts mattresses for recycling at a minimal fee. For more information on mattress recycling, call your local Goodwill store at 408-842-9941.
Other Mattress Recycling Resources/locations
Please note that these locations have certain drop-off restrictions.
Rosso Furniture Warehouse
- https://www.rosso.com/
- 212 Tennant Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037
- 408-842-2800
- free drop off for businesses, free drop off for residents
- Wed: 12-4 pm
Composting
Composting is a great way to improve soil health and reduce waste.
You can compost numerous items such as food scraps, pizza boxes, and yard trimmings such as grass, branches, and leaves. Place compost items in the 96-gallon green organics cart and avoid using plastic bags to transfer or collect food waste as this can contaminate and be harmful to the environment.
If you have questions about composting, contact Recology South Valley at 408-842- 3358 or visit Compost, Recycle, & Landfill - Recology South Valley: Gilroy.
Other compost resources to consider.
Recycling
Recycling is a simple and easy way to help keep our community clean and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Your blue recycling cart is the place to toss:
- paper,
- bottles,
- aluminum,
- jars,
- cans, and
- plastic containers #1-7.
Together, we can make a difference and protect our environment for generations to come.
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City Administration
Physical Address
7351 Rosanna St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-846-0202