Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Barstow
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as trash pickup (weekly)
Yard Waste
Same day as trash pickup (weekly)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and sewer fees are billed together bi-monthly directly through the City of Barstow Finance Department.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
An economically disadvantaged rate discount is available for residents enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program.
Black Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before placement in the black cart to prevent windblown litter. Carts must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flimsy plastics (grocery bags, produce bags)
- ✓Garden hoses
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Place items loosely inside the blue cart—never bundle them inside plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Envelopes, junk mail, and catalogs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✓Plastic containers and milk jugs
- ✓Tin cans and aluminum
Do NOT Include
- ✕Garden hoses
- ✕Diapers
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Flimsy plastic bags
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
In Barstow's specific program, place food scraps in a bag before tossing them into the 35-gallon green barrel. Yard and landscape waste should be placed in the barrel completely loose.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (bagged)
- ✓Loose yard waste
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and prunings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Contact Burrtec for curbside limits, or use the City's 4 annual free dump passes.
Placement
For curbside pickup, place bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day, keeping them separate from your regular automated trash bins.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Large yard debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Tires (not accepted on dump pass)
- ✕ Metal items (not accepted on dump pass)
Dump passes waive the landfill tipping fee but require ID and address verification. Only 4 passes are allowed per household per fiscal year.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Your blue recycling and green organics barrels follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your black trash barrel.
There is no service interruption or delay when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter/Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryBurrtec provides Christmas tree recycling from December 26th through January 7th. Remove all tinsel, ornaments, plastic bags, stands, and wire. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half.
Spring
March to MayHigh winds are common in the Mojave Desert during spring. Ensure all cart lids are completely closed to prevent litter from blowing into the streets and surrounding desert environment.
Year-Round
January to DecemberIf you utilize the City's Free Dump Pass program at the county landfill, ensure your load is tied down and covered tightly. Unsecured loads are subject to double tipping fees, regardless of the pass.
Local Tips & Community Info
High Desert Waste Management Solutions
Safeguarding the unique environment of the Mojave Desert begins with responsible waste disposal. The City of Barstow relies on Burrtec Waste to manage its comprehensive residential and commercial sanitation programs. Every household in the city is required to participate in the standardized curbside collection program to ensure that trash, recyclables, and organic materials are processed efficiently and kept out of the surrounding desert landscape.
Organics Mandate and the Green Barrel
To comply with California's state-wide environmental mandates, Barstow implemented a dedicated organics recycling initiative. Residents are issued a 35-gallon green barrel specifically for bagging food scraps and collecting loose landscape trimmings. Burrtec transports this organic material directly to the Victor Valley Compost facility, where it is transformed into nutrient-rich mulch for agricultural use. Your blue barrel remains dedicated to clean recyclables like cardboard and plastic bottles, while the standard trash barrel is reserved for non-recoverable household refuse.
Curbside Placement Rules
Because Burrtec utilizes automated side-loading vehicles, drivers need clear access to your containers. You must wheel your barrels to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your assigned pickup morning. Ensure there is a minimum of three feet of clearance between each barrel, and keep them safely away from parked vehicles, fencing, and mailboxes. Once the route is completed, municipal rules ask that you retrieve your empty containers to keep neighborhood streets clear.
Disposing of Bulky Furniture and Appliances
Illegal dumping in the desert is a serious offense. To help residents responsibly discard oversized items, Barstow offers a convenient Bulky Item Pickup Program. If you need to throw away an old mattress, a broken refrigerator, or a worn-out couch, you simply need to contact Burrtec Waste to schedule a specialized collection. These large loads require a separate flatbed truck, so you must call ahead rather than leaving the items randomly on the curb.
Hazardous Material Guidelines and Holiday Delays
Toxic materials such as motor oil, old paint, batteries, and electronic waste must never be tossed into any of your curbside barrels. Instead, they must be taken to a designated Household Hazardous Waste collection event or facility. Additionally, be mindful of the calendar; Burrtec observes major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. If a holiday interrupts your normal schedule, your pickup will slide one day forward for that week.
Drop-off Facilities
Barstow Sanitary Landfill
32553 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311
Materials Accepted
Barstow Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
900 South Avenue 'H', Barstow, CA 92311
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage pickup for the City of Barstow?
Burrtec Waste is the official franchise hauler contracted to provide all residential refuse, recycling, and organic waste collection services in Barstow.
What items belong in my 35-gallon green barrel?
The green barrel is specifically for organic waste, which includes bagged kitchen food scraps and loose yard clippings. This material is sent to a composting facility.
How can I throw away an old mattress or large appliance?
Residents can utilize the city's Bulky Item Pickup Program by calling Burrtec in advance to schedule a special curbside pickup for oversized household goods.