Free Chipping Programs in the East Bay
Hayward FD chipping in action!
Several East Bay agencies provide curbside chipping services at no cost:
Contra Costa County – Community chipping days for Firewise Communities or neighborhoods with at least ten homes participating in fuel reduction efforts.
Berkeley – Free curbside pick-up of chippable material throughout the year. If you are in a high-risk neighborhood you can request a vegetation debris bin from June through September.
Moraga-Orinda Fire District – Free chipping services, large green waste bin upgrades and vegetation pickup (up to 14 bags).
Bay Area Air Quality Management District – Free on-site chipping services for residents and agricultural operations.
Alameda County Fire Department – Curbside chipping at designated locations every Saturday starting in May.
Hayward – Free curbside chipping in high-risk areas including Fairview Fire Protection District, Hayward Hills and Five Canyons (reopening May 2025).
Each program requires advance scheduling, and each has its own requirements, so be sure to read the details!