Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ceres
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Every other week on designated collection day
Yard Waste
Weekly on designated collection day (seasonal leaf and limb every other week October–January)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and organics collection provided by Bertolotti Disposal is billed directly on your monthly City of Ceres municipal utility bill alongside water and sewer charges.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
A Low-Income Utility User's Tax Exemption Program is available for qualifying households meeting income guidelines.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Waste Collection with Bertolotti Disposal
The City of Ceres partners exclusively with Bertolotti Ceres Disposal to provide comprehensive curbside garbage and recycling services. For standard residential properties, trash and green organic carts are emptied every single week, whereas blue recycling containers follow a bi-weekly schedule. If you need to initiate or cancel your household waste service, residents must contact the Ceres Utilities Department directly at (209) 538-5757. Conversely, if your bins were correctly placed but bypassed by the driver, missed pickups should be reported straight to Bertolotti at (209) 537-1500 to arrange a recovery route.
Understanding the Three-Cart System
Following state mandate SB 1383, Ceres utilizes a mandatory three-cart color-coded system to separate specific waste streams and reduce climate pollutants. Your black or grey cart is reserved for standard, non-hazardous household refuse. The green organics cart is strictly for compostable items such as grass clippings, food scraps, and paper soiled with food residue. Lastly, the blue cart handles clean recyclables, meaning you can toss in aluminum cans, plastic beverage jugs, and unsoiled cardboard or newspaper. Keeping dirt, rocks, concrete, and toxic electronic waste out of these bins is strictly enforced to avoid contamination.
Proper Cart Placement and Avoiding Fees
Strict bin placement rules help the automated lifting arms operate safely and efficiently along the street. All carts must be wheeled out either the evening prior or incredibly early on your scheduled collection day, as failing to do so may result in a $15.00 return-trip charge if the hauler has to come back. Position your containers directly in the street or alley with the lid opening facing the roadway. A mandatory three-foot clearance is required between each cart, as well as away from vehicles and mailboxes. Additionally, lids must be completely closed, and the total weight of a single container cannot exceed 100 pounds.
Seasonal Leaf and Limb Program
During the autumn and early winter months, the City of Ceres rolls out a special program to help homeowners manage excess yard waste. Running continuously from October 1st through January 9th, the Residential Leaf & Limb Program provides bi-weekly pickups. These collections occur on the day immediately following your scheduled recycling day. Residents are instructed to first fill their green organics cart to capacity. Once full, any remaining loose leaves and branches can be placed in a neat pile one foot away from the curb. Just ensure limbs do not exceed four feet in length or six inches in diameter.
Biannual Bulky Waste Appointments
Each Ceres household is eligible for two complimentary bulky item pick-ups per calendar year, which is perfect for clearing out oversized mattresses, appliances, or old furniture. To utilize this perk, you must pre-schedule an appointment through Bertolotti Disposal’s customer service portal. Piles are limited to a maximum 6-foot by 6-foot dimension and must be staged on the street one foot from the curb no more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled pickup. Keep the sidewalk, storm drains, and fire hydrants completely unobstructed, and remember that hazardous liquids and chemicals are never permitted in these roadside piles.
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.