Black or Grey Bin (Trash)
Carts must not exceed 100 lbs. Do not put dirt, rock, concrete, asphalt, or hazardous e-waste in the cart. Ensure a 3-foot clearance from other containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics (utensils, film wrap)
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics
- ✓Snack wrappers and chip bags
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Collection is every other week. Place carts on the street the night before your pick-up day. Items must be loose inside the cart; do not bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Beverage containers and plastic jugs
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic garbage bags or shrink wrap
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕E-waste and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Organics are collected weekly alongside your garbage. Place all approved food scraps and yard trimmings directly into the green cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste (meat, bones, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Grass clippings and yard waste
- ✓Leaves and small pruning debris
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free Bulky item pickups per calendar year for single-family residential households.
Placement
Items must be placed in the street in front of your own home, 1 foot away from the curb. Do not block sidewalks, fire hydrants, or storm drains. No alley pickups.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, tables, and mattresses
- ✓ Refrigerators, washers, and water heaters (doors removed)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled and tied, max 10'x10', one room only)
- ✓ Lawnmowers (gas and oil removed)
- ✓ Untreated wood (max 10 bundled pieces)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household garbage, bags, or piles of trash
- ✕ E-Waste (TVs, computer monitors, microwaves)
- ✕ Construction or remodeling debris (drywall, concrete, dirt)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste, paint, or oil
- ✕ Glass, mirrors, or windows
Commercial bin customers are not eligible for this free program. Extra items or construction waste will require renting a roll-off dumpster or a trip to the transfer station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your service day falls on or after one of the observed holidays, all pick-ups will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The holiday delay rule applies equally to all carts: garbage, recycling, and organics.
Holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day are not observed by Bertolotti Disposal for curbside collection. Place your carts out on your normal service day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Maintain a 3-Foot Clearance
The automated collection trucks used by Bertolotti Disposal require adequate space to operate. Always place your carts at least three feet away from each other, vehicles, mailboxes, and fences.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
When placing items in the blue recycling cart, toss them in loosely. Do not collect your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags, as they jam the sorting machinery and will result in the entire load being treated as trash.
E-Waste Does Not Belong in Carts
Televisions, computer monitors, cell phones, and batteries are hazardous e-waste. Never place them in any of your three colored carts, and do not put them out for bulky item pickup.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - NovemberThe Residential Leaf & Limb program begins October 1st. You may place loose piles of leaves and branches in the street for collection on the day after your recycling pickup. Do not bag the leaves.
Winter
December - JanuaryThe Leaf & Limb program concludes on January 9th. After this date, all yard debris must fit entirely inside your green organics cart. Ensure holiday boxes are broken down and placed in the blue cart.
About Ceres Waste Management
Standardized Three-Cart System & SB 1383 Compliance
The City of Ceres, in partnership with Bertolotti Disposal, provides all single-family residents with a standardized three-cart system. To comply with California's SB 1383 mandates, garbage (black/grey cart) and organics (green cart) are collected on a weekly basis, while recyclables (blue cart) are picked up every other week. Each cart is specifically stamped with guidelines to help households sort their waste accurately.
Seasonal Residential Leaf & Limb Collection
To help manage heavy seasonal yard debris, Ceres operates a dedicated Leaf & Limb disposal program that runs from October 1st through January 9th each year. During this window, crews will collect leaf and limb piles placed directly on the street every other week—specifically on the day following your regular recycling pick-up. Residents must still prioritize using their green organics cart before placing overflow materials in the street.
Safe Prescription Drug Drop-Off Location
Keeping medications out of the local water supply is a top priority in Ceres. Residents are encouraged to drop off old, unused, or expired prescription drugs safely and anonymously at the secure drop box located in the lobby of the Ceres Police Department at 2727 Third Street. Note that diabetic needles and sharps are not accepted at this location.
Free Compost and Mulch Pick-Up
As part of the city's commitment to a circular economy, Ceres residents can reap the rewards of their organic recycling efforts. The city provides opportunities for residents to pick up free compost and mulch—produced from the very food scraps and yard waste collected in the green carts. This nutrient-rich soil amendment is perfect for landscaping and gardens.
Drop-off Facilities
Bertolotti Transfer Station
231 Flamingo Drive, Ceres, CA 95307
Materials Accepted
Stanislaus County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
County Center IV, 1710 Morgan Road, Modesto, CA 95358
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash service in Ceres, CA?
The City of Ceres has an exclusive franchise agreement with Bertolotti Disposal to handle all residential garbage, recyclables, organics, and bulky item collections within city limits.
Does Ceres pick up trash on Thanksgiving or Christmas?
No. Bertolotti Disposal observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and the 4th of July. If your scheduled pickup day falls on one of these holidays, service will be delayed by one day for the rest of that week.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup for an old couch in Ceres?
Single-family households get two free bulky item pickups per year. You can schedule an appointment by calling Bertolotti Disposal at (209) 537-1500. You may place a pile up to 6x6 feet at the curb no more than 24 hours before your appointment.
Where can I throw away an old TV or computer monitor?
Electronic waste is strictly prohibited in your curbside carts and cannot be placed out for bulky item pickup. You can take TVs and monitors to the Bertolotti Transfer Station on Flamingo Drive for a fee, or drop them at a designated e-waste recycling event.