Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Atwater
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Sanitation and trash collection fees are bundled alongside water and sewer charges on your monthly City of Atwater utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Credit/Debit Card, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Coordinated Refuse Services via Mid Valley Disposal
Residential waste hauling within the City of Atwater operates through a collaborative agreement with Mid Valley Disposal. Residents are issued standard color-coded rolling carts, which must be brought out to the street edge early on their designated collection morning. To facilitate smooth and safe automated servicing, homeowners need to ensure a clear space of at least three feet between the bins, fire hydrants, and parked vehicles. Once the Mid Valley Disposal trucks have emptied the carts, city ordinances require that all containers be promptly removed from the public right-of-way by the end of the day to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Meeting California’s Organics and Compost Mandates
With the statewide rollout of SB 1383, Atwater residents play a crucial role in diverting organic matter away from the local Highway 59 Landfill. The green cart is specifically designed to handle all yard clippings as well as household food scraps. You are required to toss in items like fruit rinds, vegetable peelings, meat bones, dairy products, and food-soiled paper (such as dirty pizza boxes or used napkins) directly into this organics container. Keeping plastic bags and non-biodegradable wrappers out of the green bin is absolutely essential, as contamination can ruin an entire batch of nutrient-rich compost.
Navigating the Blue Recycling Bin Rules
Proper recycling efforts help sustain Merced County's environmental goals. Your blue cart is strictly for clean and dry recyclables, including flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and rigid plastics. It is highly recommended to give food containers a quick rinse to remove sticky residue before tossing them in. Remember to place all items loosely inside the cart; never bag your recyclables. Film plastics like grocery sacks, bubble wrap, and shrink wrap are notorious for jamming the sorting equipment at the materials recovery facility, so these must either be taken to a specialized drop-off or thrown into the standard trash cart.
Handling E-Waste and Oversized Household Items
When a standard curbside bin isn't enough to handle your disposal needs, Atwater residents have options for bulky item removal. Heavy items such as old mattresses, broken appliances, and large furniture pieces require special handling and cannot be left on the curb without authorization. Homeowners should contact Mid Valley Disposal directly at (209) 270-5100 to learn about scheduled community cleanup events or to book an individualized bulky waste pickup. For electronic waste like old televisions or computers, the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority also offers dedicated diversion programs to keep heavy metals out of the soil.
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
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) such as paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, and used motor oil must never go in your curbside bins. These materials should be taken to designated drop-off sites managed by the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority.
What should I do if my trash cart is cracked or a wheel breaks?
If your bin is damaged through normal wear and tear, you can request a repair or a complete replacement by calling Mid Valley Disposal customer service at (209) 270-5100. They will typically swap out the broken container on your next scheduled service day.
Does my collection day change after a major holiday?
Yes, if a major recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all subsequent collection days for that week will be delayed by exactly one day. Regular scheduling resumes the following Monday.