Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chico
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Every other week on regular collection day
Yard Waste
Every week on regular collection day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste collection is franchised through Waste Management (WM) and billed directly to residents, while municipal sewer services are billed separately by the City.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Grey or Black Lid Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be bagged before placing it in the cart to prevent litter. The cart lid must close completely, and overflow materials may be subject to additional charges.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Food waste and wrappers
- ✓Plastic bags
- ✓Textiles and old clothing
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be kept loose, clean, and dry inside the bin. Do not bag recyclables in plastic trash bags. Lightly rinse food containers, though labels do not need to be removed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass food and beverage containers
- ✓Rigid plastics #1 through #7
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Wax-coated boxes
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Ceramics
- ✕Diapers
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Curbside yard waste service is available for a monthly fee. Do not bag organic waste, and ensure it is entirely free of household trash, pet waste, or treated wood.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Tree trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand
Placement
Once confirmed, place bulk items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled date, keeping them clear of sidewalks and vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Standard bulky household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction waste
- ✕ Auto parts
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Medical or electronic waste
- ✕ Dirt and rocks
Fees apply and vary based on the item type and volume. Contact Waste Management at (530) 893-4777 for precise pricing and availability.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling collections for the remainder of the week will be pushed back by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays to the regular pickup schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
October to JanuaryChico runs an extensive street sweeping and leaf collection program during the fall and winter to clear heavy foliage from the 'City of Trees,' ensuring local storm drains remain unblocked.
Summer
June to SeptemberDuring peak summer temperatures, ensure all household garbage is tightly bagged and tied before placing it in your trash cart. This reduces foul odors and keeps pests out of your bins.
Local Tips & Community Info
Solid Waste Franchises in Chico
Residences within the Chico city limits receive their curbside collection services through franchised haulers, primarily Waste Management and Recology. These private companies operate under strict municipal guidelines to ensure a clean, sustainable environment for the community. The standard setup for a single-family home involves three distinct carts designed to separate materials effectively at the source. Determining which specific hauler covers your neighborhood dictates your exact collection day and customer service contact point.
Curb Placement and Timing Mandates
To guarantee your refuse is collected without a hitch, all bins must be wheeled to the street edge no later than 6:00 a.m. on the designated morning of service. Collection vehicles utilize mechanical arms that require a minimum clearance of three feet on all sides of each receptacle. Ensure that your containers are kept clear of overhanging tree branches, parked automobiles, and mailboxes. Once the trucks have passed through your neighborhood, Chico city ordinances dictate that all carts must be removed from the public right-of-way by nightfall.
Proper Cart Sorting and SB 1383
In a concerted effort to reduce landfill greenhouse gas emissions, Chico strictly enforces California's SB 1383 organics recycling laws. Your green yard waste bin is now the required destination for all food scraps, including meat bones, dairy products, and vegetable trimmings, along with traditional landscaping debris. The blue cart remains dedicated to loose, unbagged recyclables like cardboard, glass, and rigid plastics. All remaining non-hazardous, non-recyclable garbage should be tossed into the gray or black trash receptacle.
Large Item and E-Waste Disposal
Getting rid of oversized junk does not have to be a burden. Residential customers can take advantage of the bulky item pickup program to dispose of old furniture, major appliances, and mattresses. Instead of illegally dumping these large pieces, residents must contact their respective franchised hauler directly to schedule a special curbside pickup. Additionally, electronic waste like old televisions and computers should never be placed in standard bins; these items can either be scheduled for a special pickup or taken to a designated local drop-off facility.
Holiday Route Alterations
The weekly pickup rhythm will occasionally shift in observance of major national holidays. The local haulers typically take off New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your standard collection day lands on or after one of these dates, expect your service to be delayed by exactly 24 hours for that specific week. Weekend collections remain unaffected, and the regular schedule will seamlessly resume at the beginning of the following week.
Drop-off Facilities
Butte Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility
1101 Marauder Street, Chico, CA 95973
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I correctly set out my garbage and recycling carts in Chico?
Waste Management requires residents to place their carts on the street with the wheels touching the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Keep carts at least 3 feet apart from each other and away from parked cars, mailboxes, and overhanging trees.
Can I recycle plastic bags in my blue Chico recycling bin?
No, plastic bags and film plastics are strictly prohibited in the curbside blue recycling cart because they tangle the facility's sorting machinery. You should return them to local grocery stores that offer film recycling drop-offs or throw them in your regular trash.
Does Chico offer a specific leaf collection program?
Yes! Because Chico is famous for its dense urban canopy, the city operates an extensive street sweeping and leaf collection program during the fall and winter months to gather fallen leaves, which keeps the streets safe and prevents flooding by keeping storm drains clear.
Does Waste Management delay trash pickup for every holiday?
No. In Chico, Waste Management only observes four major holidays: New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day. Other holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day generally do not affect the schedule.