Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bakersfield
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
Standard residential trash collection is included on your annual Kern County property tax bill. Additional cart services or commercial accounts can be managed and paid online via the city's website.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax, Online, Mail, Phone
Tan, Gray, or Black Bin (Trash)
All standard trash should be bagged before being placed in the tan/gray/black cart to prevent litter. The cart lid must be completely closed for service.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
- ✓Treated wood
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be clean, dry, and placed loosely in the blue cart without being sealed in plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Office paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2)
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (#1-#7)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes)
- ✕Tanglers like cords and hoses
- ✕Clothing or textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put any plastic containers (even those labeled compostable or covered in food) into the green cart. Keep organic material loose or use certified compostable bags if necessary.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings and weeds
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Cooked meat, fish, and bones
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once every three months (by appointment)
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled appointment day. Do not block sidewalks or traffic lanes.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Desks and dressers
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Automotive parts and fluids
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Liquid paints
This service is included in basic residential refuse fees at no extra charge. Businesses can utilize a similar program for a fee starting at $60.75 per appointment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, garbage, recycling, and organics services scheduled on or after that holiday are delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic and yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling.
Holidays not listed above (such as Memorial Day or Labor Day) generally do not affect the regular collection schedule in Bakersfield.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryDuring the winter holidays, note that Christmas Day and New Year's Day are two of the few holidays that will delay your trash pickup by one day if they fall on a weekday.
Fall
October - NovemberAs leaves begin to drop, remember that large piles of yard debris must fit entirely inside your 64-gallon green cart with the lid closed. Do not leave loose bags of leaves on the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Mastering the Tan, Blue, and Green Receptacles
Waste collection in this part of the San Joaquin Valley is primarily managed by the City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division. Residents are issued a specific set of color-coded carts: a tan container for normal household garbage, a blue receptacle for mixed dry recyclables, and a green bin mandated for yard trimmings and food waste. Homeowners need to roll their assigned containers out to the street by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection morning. For the automated mechanical trucks to safely grab the containers, you must leave a minimum of four feet of space between each cart. Additionally, keep them clear of low-hanging tree branches, parked vehicles, and neighborhood mailboxes.
Taking Advantage of Large Item Collections
If you are upgrading your furniture or replacing a broken refrigerator, you do not have to haul the heavy items to the local landfill yourself. The City of Bakersfield offers a highly convenient bulky item pickup service. Eligible residential properties can request dedicated collections for oversized items that simply will not fit inside the standard tan garbage cart. Simply call the Solid Waste Division at 661-326-3114 to log your address and arrange a pickup date. Keep in mind that construction debris, loose bags of standard garbage, and automotive tires are completely excluded from this municipal curbside service.
Kern County Hazardous Waste Drop-Offs
Improperly discarding toxic substances like leftover house paint, harsh cleaning solvents, used motor oil, or lithium batteries poses a massive risk to Central California's ecosystem. It is strictly illegal to toss these items into any of your three curbside carts. Bakersfield residents must securely transport their household hazardous waste to the Kern County Special Waste Facility, located on East Mitchell Avenue. This county-run drop-off site provides a safe, free disposal solution for local residents, ensuring dangerous chemicals are neutralized and processed correctly without contaminating the regional groundwater.
Schedule Shifts for Major Annual Holidays
The standard weekly garbage routine only changes during a few specific times of the year. The Solid Waste Division halts operations on three major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. When your normal trash day falls on one of these observed dates, your curbside pickup will be delayed by exactly 24 hours. Consequently, the rest of the week's collection schedule will also cascade forward by one day, culminating in a Saturday pickup for Friday routes. During all other federal holidays, such as Memorial Day or the Fourth of July, the sanitation trucks run their routes normally.
Drop-off Facilities
Kern County Special Waste Facility
4951 Standard Street, Bakersfield, CA 93308
Materials Accepted
Organics Recycling and Composting Facility
2601 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old mattress in Bakersfield?
You can dispose of an old mattress by utilizing the City's Curbside Bulky Item Pickup Program. Call the Solid Waste Division at 661-326-3114 to schedule an appointment. You are allowed up to two bulky items once every three months at no additional charge.
Can I throw meat and bones in my yard waste bin?
Yes. Bakersfield complies with state organic recycling mandates (SB 1383), meaning food scraps—including cooked meat, fish, and bones—must be placed in your green organics cart alongside your yard trimmings.
Which holidays actually delay trash pickup in Bakersfield?
In Bakersfield, only four holidays affect your service: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your pickup day falls on or after these holidays during the week, it will be delayed by one day.
What should I do if my garbage cart is damaged or stolen?
If your cart is damaged, the City or contractor will generally repair or replace it at no charge (unless the damage is due to negligence). If your cart is missing, contact the Solid Waste Division at 661-326-3114; you will need to provide the cart's serial number, and a replacement fee may apply if it is deemed lost.