Black or Grey Cart Bin (Trash)
All household refuse must be securely bagged. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day, ensuring a 3-foot clearance from vehicles and other bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Treated wood
- ✓Chip bags and non-recyclable plastics
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely into the blue cart, unbagged. Break down all cardboard boxes to maximize cart capacity.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic garbage bags
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕E-waste
Yard Waste Bin
Never use plastic bags for organic waste. Place all food scraps and yard debris directly into the green cart to comply with state organics laws.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small branches and weeds
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat, dairy, and bones
- ✓Food-soiled paper products
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Call-to-schedule basis through Public Works, plus bi-annual STRR Community Clean-Up Days.
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb until you have a confirmed pickup date to avoid city code violations for illegal dumping.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, desks, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Bundled yard waste
- ✓ E-waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and heavy construction debris
- ✕ Liquid paints and solvents
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
Contact the Public Works Department at (661) 721-3350 for information on free annual pickup limits and potential overage fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day. Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
STRR follows the exact same holiday delay schedule for your blue recycling and green organics carts.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no changes to the regular Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Loose
Plastic garbage and grocery bags jam the sorting machinery at the STRR recycling plant. Always toss your aluminum, glass, and paper loosely into the blue cart.
Pizza Boxes Go Green
Cardboard soaked with grease and cheese cannot be recycled into new paper. Instead of putting a dirty pizza box in the blue cart, toss it into your green organics cart to be composted.
No Hoses or Wires
'Tanglers' like garden hoses, extension cords, and Christmas lights will break recycling equipment. These items belong in your black trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryChristmas trees can be recycled after the holidays. Trees must be completely stripped of lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands. Flocked trees are considered trash and must be disposed of accordingly.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring peak harvest and leaf-drop season, ensure your green cart is not overfilled. Lids must close completely to prevent loose leaves from blowing into the streets during windy days.
About Delano Waste Management
Dual-Provider Waste Collection in Delano
Waste management in Delano operates under a unique hybrid system. The City of Delano Public Works Department uses municipal trucks to collect regular household refuse (trash) for residential properties. However, the city contracts out its recycling and green waste programs to South Tulare-Richgrove Refuse, Inc. (STRR). Because of this partnership, residents must ensure their bins are out early, as different trucks from different providers will service the property on collection day.
SB 1383 Organics Recycling Compliance
To combat landfill methane emissions and comply with California's SB 1383 mandate, Delano enforces strict organics recycling. Residents must separate all organic material—including meat, dairy, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper—into their green carts alongside regular yard trimmings. STRR manages the collection of these compostables. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited in the green cart; organics must be placed in loosely.
Community Clean-Up Days vs. Bulky Pickups
For large items that don't fit in standard carts, STRR hosts Community Clean-Up Days twice a year, providing free roll-off bins for e-waste, construction debris, and green waste. For immediate curbside bulky item disposal, residents must schedule a 'Call-to-schedule' special pickup directly through the City of Delano Public Works Department, which handles large furniture and appliance removal at the curb.
Utilizing the McFarland-Delano Transfer Station
When you have excess waste that cannot wait for a scheduled pickup, Kern County operates the local McFarland-Delano Transfer Station on Stradley Avenue. Residents can drop off ordinary household waste, used motor oil, and certain electronics (like old TVs and computer monitors) free of charge. Be aware that fees apply for specialized items like tires, and all incoming truckloads must be securely tarped to avoid a surcharge.
Dealing with Valley Heat and Bin Odors
Kern County summers often bring extended periods of triple-digit heat, which accelerates the decomposition of food waste in your green organics cart. To manage odors and deter pests, residents are encouraged to freeze food scraps—especially meat and dairy—in a reusable container until the morning of collection. Regularly hosing out all three carts can also prevent severe odor buildup.
Drop-off Facilities
McFarland-Delano Transfer Station
11249 Stradley Avenue, Delano, CA 93215
Materials Accepted
STRR Delano Office
912 High Street, Delano, CA 93215
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call if my recycling or organics cart is broken in Delano?
While the City of Delano handles your standard trash, you need to contact South Tulare-Richgrove Refuse (STRR) at (661) 725-0265 for any issues related to your blue recycling or green organics carts.
Am I allowed to put food waste in my regular black garbage bin?
No. Under California's SB 1383 law, all residents must separate organic waste. Food scraps, including meat, dairy, bones, and soiled paper, must go directly into the green organics cart to be composted.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch in Delano?
You can dispose of large furniture by calling the City of Delano Public Works Department at (661) 721-3350 to schedule a bulky item pickup. Alternatively, you can wait for one of STRR's bi-annual Community Clean-Up Days.
Where can I drop off used motor oil or old TVs?
Kern County operates the McFarland-Delano Transfer Station at 11249 Stradley Avenue, where Delano residents can drop off used motor oil and electronic waste (like TVs and monitors) free of charge.