Gray or Black Lid / Body Bin (Trash)
Do not overfill; the container lid must close tightly to prevent pests and litter scatter. All garbage must be securely bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Styrofoam packaging and cups
- ✓Single-use plastic bags and wraps
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Disposable plastic gloves
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
- ✓Cacti, succulents, and palm fronds
Blue Lid / Body Bin (Recycling)
All containers must be thoroughly rinsed, empty, and dry. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely directly into the blue bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin food cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastics marked with numbers 1, 2, or 5
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Yard trimmings and leaves
- ✕Packaging peanuts
- ✕Hazardous chemical containers
- ✕Soiled paper or pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Do not pack organic items tightly or place rocks, dirt, concrete, pet waste, yucca, or large branches (exceeding 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length) in this bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps and spoiled leftovers
- ✓Breads, grains, pasta, and rice
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and eggshells
- ✓Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and small branches
- ✓Untreated and unpainted wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-Demand Scheduled Service or Twice-Yearly Clean-Up Events
Placement
For scheduled on-call bulky pickups, items must be placed curbside clear of parked vehicles, low-hanging wires, and water meters, exactly on the agreed collection date.
Accepted
- ✓ Large household appliances (refrigerators, washers, stoves)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and other wooden or upholstered furniture
- ✓ Large yard debris piles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, batteries, chemicals)
- ✕ Automotive parts, tires, and motor oil
- ✕ Electronic waste (television screens, computers, monitors)
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, bricks, and heavy construction demolition materials
Fees apply for on-demand residential bulky pickups arranged through Mid Valley Disposal. The twice-yearly municipal clean-up days are entirely free of charge for residential utility bill holders.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), collection services for the rest of that holiday week will be delayed by exactly one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash collection.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is absolutely no delay in your scheduled weekday collection.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Never place plastic bags, bubble wrap, or plastic film inside your blue recycling cart. They wrap around sorting machinery at the Mid Valley materials recovery facility, halting operations. Reuse them at grocery stores or place them in the gray trash bin.
The Golden Rule of Organics: No Dirt or Stone
Your green organics container is for biological organic material and food waste. Adding dirt, sand, landscaping rocks, or heavy concrete ruins the composting process and can damage collection truck mechanisms.
Empty and Dry Recyclables Only
A single half-full soda can or pasta jar can ruin an entire batch of clean cardboard. Always shake out liquids and quickly rinse out containers before tossing them in the blue recycling cart.
Seasonal Information
Autumn Leaf Management
October - DecemberHeavy Central Valley autumn leaf fall must be placed directly into your green organics cart. Do not sweep leaves or branch piles directly into the street, as this blocks storm drains and municipal sweepers.
Summer Heat & Organics Care
June - SeptemberHigh summer temperatures in Atwater can cause organic carts containing food scraps to smell. To prevent odors and pests, bag food scraps in compostable bags (if permitted) or layer food waste with dry leaves and lawn clippings.
About Atwater Waste Management
Atwater's Coordinated Curbside Resource Management
In the City of Atwater, residential waste management is organized through a franchise agreement with Mid Valley Disposal, directed by the waste-reduction guidelines of the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority (MCRWMA). Residents receive a standard three-container collection service designed to optimize waste diversion, maximize clean recycling, and strictly adhere to California's landmark organic recycling mandates (SB 1383).
Meeting California SB 1383 Organic Mandates in Atwater
To comply with state climate initiatives, Atwater residents utilize a dedicated green organics container to separate all organic materials from traditional landfill trash. This green cart is intended for food scraps, food-soiled paper products, and standard yard trimmings. Diverting these organic resources from local landfill facilities helps curb methane emissions and provides clean feedstock for high-quality regional composting.
Semi-Annual Community Clean-Up Resource Events
While Mid Valley Disposal does not provide weekly curbside bulk pickup as a standard free service, the City of Atwater coordinates free community clean-up events twice a year, typically held during the Spring and Fall at Castle Air Force Base (e.g., Apron Drive). These popular cleanup events allow single-family and multi-family utility customers to discard large household items, metal goods, and bulky debris that cannot safely fit into standard curbside containers.
Proper Cart Spacing and Curbside Placement Rules
To ensure safe, automated mechanical collection, Atwater residents must place all three carts on the street with the wheels flush against the curb by 6:00 AM on their scheduled collection day. It is essential to leave at least 3 feet of clear clearance between each cart, and avoid placing bins near parked cars, mailboxes, low-hanging trees, or utility poles.
Drop-off Facilities
Highway 59 Landfill (MCRWMA)
7040 North State Highway 59, Merced, CA 95348
Materials Accepted
Atwater Iron & Metal Inc.
860 Applegate Road, Atwater, CA 95301
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact to set up or make changes to my trash services in Atwater?
To establish new residential service or request cart exchanges, you should contact the City of Atwater Finance Department directly at 209-357-6310. The city will handle administration and coordinate directly with Mid Valley Disposal.
Can I throw food waste into my standard gray trash bin?
Under California state law SB 1383, you must separate your organic material. All food scraps, leftovers, spoiled food, and food-soiled paper must be deposited into your green organics/yard waste cart instead of your gray landfill bin.
How do I participate in the free Atwater Community Clean-Up events?
Atwater hosts cleanup events twice a year (Spring and Fall), typically held on Saturdays from 7:00 AM to Noon at Castle Air Force Base (3500 Apron Drive). Residents must bring a utility bill and photo identification matching their Atwater residence to dump eligible bulky waste for free.
What should I do if my trash collection was missed?
If your containers were roadside by 6:00 AM and were missed, contact Mid Valley Disposal directly at 209-270-5100 or submit a missed service issue online through their Atwater portal as soon as possible.