Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Carmichael
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Bi-weekly (every other week on your assigned schedule)
Yard Waste
Weekly (collected on the same day as garbage)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services in Carmichael are billed through Sacramento County Consolidated Utilities Billing & Service (CUBS) and are typically bundled on a consolidated utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly (Monthly option available)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (EFT), Phone, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Sacramento County provides monthly rate credits through the Solid Waste Lifeline Rate Assistance Program for qualifying low-income residents enrolled in SMUD EAPR or PG&E CARE.
Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
Lids must be completely closed. Set carts out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day and ensure they are placed one foot from the curb edge on a hard, flat surface.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste (bagged)
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Foam packaging and Styrofoam
- ✓Plastic bags and film
- ✓Chip bags and snack wrappers
- ✓Treated wood scraps (small amounts)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be clean, empty, and dry. Place items loosely inside the blue cart—never place bagged recyclables into the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastics #1-7 (empty and dry)
- ✓Clean, unsoiled cardboard
- ✓Newspapers and mixed paper
- ✓New, unused paper to-go containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or wrap
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Liquids or food residue
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be loose. Food waste can be placed loosely, wrapped in newspaper, or contained within BPI-certified compostable bags. Regular plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Branches and prunings (under 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, fruit, veggies)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (greasy pizza boxes, uncoated paper plates)
- ✓Clean, untreated wood scraps
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free appointment per rolling 12-month period
Placement
Place items on a flat, hard surface near the street edge by 6:00 a.m. on the appointment day, but no more than 24 hours prior. Do not place under low-hanging wires or branches; trucks require 14.5 feet of overhead clearance.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (doors taped/removed)
- ✓ E-waste (TVs, monitors, computers)
- ✓ Up to four tires (rims OK)
- ✓ Clean lumber and tree trimmings (max 5 ft long, 4 inches wide)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Treated wood waste (railroad ties, fence posts)
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, bricks, and rocks
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Vehicle parts and engines
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
The first five cubic yards are free once every 12 months. Exceeding the five-cubic-yard limit will result in additional disposal fees billed directly to your Sacramento County utilities account.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Sacramento County only delays garbage collection for three major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If the holiday falls on a weekday, service is pushed back one day for the remainder of the week. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no change to the collection schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
The holiday delay applies equally to all three carts: garbage, recycling, and organics.
Minor holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day DO NOT disrupt the regular collection schedule. Set your carts out as usual on these days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf drop season, ensure that all leaves are placed loosely into your green Organics cart. Do not sweep leaves into the street or gutters, as this can clog local storm drains and lead to localized neighborhood flooding.
Winter
December - JanuaryAfter the holidays, you can recycle your natural, unflocked Christmas tree by cutting it into sections smaller than three feet and placing them inside your green Organics cart. Ensure all lights, tinsel, and metal stands are completely removed.
Spring and Summer
March - OctoberSacramento County typically offers a free Self-Serve Compost Program running from mid-March through late October. Carmichael residents can pick up free compost for home landscaping and gardening projects at designated county facilities.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste Collection in Unincorporated Carmichael
In Carmichael, California, residential refuse services are overseen by the Sacramento County Department of Waste Management and Recycling. This county-run agency provides regular weekly pickups using an automated cart system. Residents can choose between 30, 60, or 90-gallon garbage bins depending on their household's typical volume. To guarantee your bins are emptied, they need to be rolled out to the street by 5:00 a.m. on your specific collection morning. Ensure the wheels are touching the curb and leave a three-foot gap between your containers and any parked vehicles or mailboxes.
Sacramento County Recycling and Organics Rules
Following California’s SB 1383 regulations, Carmichael households must separate all food scraps and yard debris into the organics cart rather than tossing them in the regular garbage. This means everything from lawn clippings to vegetable peelings and food-soiled paper products goes into the green bin to be properly composted. Your recycling container is designated for clean cardboard, paper, glass bottles, and aluminum or plastic beverage containers. Remember to never place plastic bags, hazardous chemicals, or medical waste into your curbside recycling or organics carts, as these contaminants can disrupt the county's sorting facilities.
Scheduling Bulky Waste and Large Item Pickup
When it comes time to dispose of large household items that cannot safely fit inside your standard 90-gallon garbage cart, Sacramento County offers a convenient bulky waste collection program. Carmichael residents can request a special pickup for cumbersome objects like old mattresses, damaged furniture, and large home appliances. Instead of hauling these heavy items to the dump yourself, you can simply arrange a collection appointment by calling the county's customer service line at 916-875-5555. Do not leave your bulky trash on the sidewalk or street without prior authorization and a confirmed service date.
Leveraging the SacGreenTeam App
Sacramento County makes managing your weekly waste schedule incredibly easy through the free SacGreenTeam mobile application. Available for all smartphone users in Carmichael, this app serves as a digital hub for all your residential sanitation needs. By simply downloading it and entering your address, you can view your personalized collection calendar, sign up for push notifications so you never miss a pickup day, and report missed collections directly from your phone. You can even use the app to request a container repair if your bins sustain damage or order replacement carts.
Holiday Adjustments for Your Service Day
Throughout the calendar year, certain major holidays will impact the standard waste collection schedule for Carmichael neighborhoods. If a recognized county holiday lands on a normal weekday, all sanitation routes for the rest of that week will be delayed by one full day. For example, if Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, the usual Thursday pickups will occur on Friday, and Friday's routes will be completed on Saturday. However, if a major holiday happens to fall on a Saturday or Sunday, there are absolutely no interruptions, and your standard weekday schedule remains unchanged.
Drop-off Facilities
North Area Recovery Station (NARS)
4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands, CA 95660
Materials Accepted
Kiefer Landfill
12701 Kiefer Blvd, Sloughhouse, CA 95683
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a free bulky waste pickup in Carmichael?
Carmichael residents receive one free bulky item pickup of up to five cubic yards every 12 months through Sacramento County. You must call customer service at (916) 875-5555 or use the online SacGreenTeam portal to schedule an appointment before placing items on the curb.
Can I put food waste in the green cart in Carmichael?
Yes. Due to California's SB 1383 mandate, all food scraps (including meat, dairy, and bones) and food-soiled paper products like used napkins and greasy pizza boxes must go into your green Organics cart.
Will my trash pickup be delayed on the Fourth of July or Labor Day?
No. Sacramento County only observes three holidays that disrupt the collection schedule: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For all other holidays, you must set your carts out on your normal service day.
Can I put plastic bags in my blue recycling bin?
No. Plastic grocery bags and garbage bags jam the mechanical sorting screens at the recycling facility. You must place all acceptable recyclables loosely into the blue cart. Any recyclables enclosed in plastic bags will be sent straight to the landfill.