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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Out of the Green Bin
Even if a plastic container has organic food waste stuck to it, it never belongs in the green organics cart. Plastic ruins the municipal composting process and must be placed in either the blue or trash cart.
Pizza Boxes Belong in Organics
Unlike many cities, Bakersfield asks you to place greasy pizza boxes and food-soiled napkins into your green organics cart, not your trash or blue recycling bin.
Four Feet of Clearance is Crucial
Bakersfield requires at least four feet of space around each of your carts. If they are placed too close to cars, mailboxes, or each other, the automated truck arm cannot safely grab them.
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.
About Bakersfield Waste Management
Navigating Bakersfield's Three-Cart Waste System
The City of Bakersfield provides residents with a streamlined three-cart system to manage household waste efficiently. Under this municipal setup, each household utilizes a 96-gallon tan, gray, or black cart for standard garbage, a 96-gallon blue cart for recyclables, and a 64-gallon green cart for organic waste. Residents must place their bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their assigned collection day, ensuring there is at least four feet of clearance around each container so automated collection trucks can operate safely.
Complying with California's SB 1383 Organics Mandate
To align with California's SB 1383 organic waste reduction goals, Bakersfield has integrated food scrap recycling into its standard residential services. Food remnants such as cooked meat, bones, fruits, vegetables, and food-soiled paper like greasy pizza boxes must now be placed directly into the green organics cart alongside traditional yard waste. These materials are transported to the City's Organics Recycling and Composting Facility on South Mt. Vernon Avenue, where they are transformed into usable compost rather than taking up valuable space in local landfills.
Taking Advantage of the Curbside Bulky Item Program
Disposing of large household items in Bakersfield is convenient thanks to the city's Curbside Bulky Item Pickup Program. Included in basic residential refuse fees, this service allows households to schedule a pickup of up to two large items once every three months. Acceptable items include old mattresses, furniture, and major appliances. To take advantage of this benefit, residents simply need to call the Solid Waste Division at 661-326-3114 to secure an appointment before moving anything to the curb.
Safe Disposal of Hazardous and Electronic Waste
Standard curbside carts cannot be used for hazardous materials or electronic waste, as these items pose a significant fire and safety risk to collection crews and the environment. Bakersfield residents are encouraged to responsibly dispose of paint, motor oil, batteries, and e-waste by taking them to the Kern County Special Waste Facility located on Standard Street. By separating these dangerous chemicals from regular trash, the community helps protect local groundwater and environmental health.
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.