Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Folsom
Collections in California municipal routes run weekly (Mon-Fri). Your specific collection day is determined by your local neighborhood route.
State Mandate
Follow SB 1383 guidelines for food waste.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling fees are bundled alongside water and sewer charges on your monthly City of Folsom utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
The Utility Assistance Program provides reduced monthly rates on city trash and water services for income-qualified households earning at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All waste must fit comfortably inside the gray bin with the lid fully closed. Trash is serviced weekly. Heavy materials like dirt, rocks, or concrete are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam packing materials
- ✓Ceramics and broken glass
- ✓Treated or painted wood
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag recyclables in plastic; keep them loose in the blue bin. Recycling is collected every other week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers and bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food-soiled paper or pizza boxes
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wire)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clothing and shoes
Yard Waste Bin
Food waste can be placed loose or enclosed in compostable bags. Do not use standard plastic bags. The green organics bin is serviced weekly.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread, veggies)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, coffee filters, pizza boxes)
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Clean, unpainted wood and tree branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Three (3) free appointments per calendar year for single-family residential customers.
Placement
Place items safely at the curb ensuring glass is visible to drivers. Do not place items in alleys or block sidewalks. Separate yard waste from metals and appliances.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (including microwaves)
- ✓ Up to 5 tires (max 40 inches in diameter)
- ✓ Yard waste and lumber (under 6 feet long)
- ✓ Lawnmowers (gas and oil removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Cardboard
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, oil, paint)
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, rocks, or dirt
- ✕ Auto parts or liquids
- ✕ Items longer than 6 feet
Cancellations must be made by 1:00 PM the business day prior to avoid losing one of your three free annual pickups.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Folsom Waste and Recycling Division does not observe any holidays that delay collection. There is no change in service on holidays; your containers will be emptied on their usual schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Green bin organics and blue bin recycling schedules remain unaffected by all holidays.
Even on major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, you must have your bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. to ensure service.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to JanuaryThe city typically provides natural Christmas tree recycling options. Trees must be completely stripped of lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands, and cut to fit inside the green organics bin with the lid closed.
Year-Round
January to DecemberThe Folsom Waste Collection App allows residents to set custom mobile reminders for street sweeping, leaf season instructions, and alternate-week blue bin collection schedules.
Local Tips & Community Info
City-Operated Solid Waste Services
In Folsom, residential garbage, recycling, and green waste collection are managed directly by the city's own Solid Waste Division rather than a private contractor. This dedicated municipal fleet works Monday through Friday to keep local neighborhoods pristine. If you have recently moved into a new home and need to order your initial set of carts, or if you need to request a repair for a broken lid, you can easily reach the division's customer service desk by calling 916-461-6730.
Strict 6:00 A.M. Set-Out Requirements
To prevent missed pickups, homeowners must roll their containers to the gutter line no later than 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection morning. Route trucks will not circle back for bins that are placed out late. It is vital to maintain a three-foot physical gap between each cart so the automated mechanical claws can grip them securely. Furthermore, ensure the bins are kept at least three feet away from mailboxes, fire hydrants, and parked vehicles.
Categorizing Your Household Waste
The city enforces a strict three-color separation protocol to align with California's organics recycling mandate. The gray bin is solely for standard household refuse destined for the landfill. Your blue bin is reserved for clean paper, cardboard, rigid plastics, and glass containers. The green bin is specifically engineered to accept yard clippings, leaves, and all kitchen food scraps. Keeping compostable food waste out of the gray bin is critical for meeting local climate and zero-waste goals.
Arranging an Oversized Item Pickup
When you need to get rid of old couches, mattresses, or bulky home appliances, Folsom provides an excellent residential Bulky Waste Pickup program. Homeowners are permitted to schedule these special curbside collections up to three times per calendar year by appointment only. You must contact the Solid Waste Division in advance to secure a date. Please do not drag these massive items to the street until the evening prior to your confirmed appointment.
Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection
One of the most convenient perks of living in Folsom is the specialized door-to-door household hazardous waste (HHW) retrieval service. Rather than driving out to a remote county dump, residents can simply schedule a home pickup for dangerous items like used motor oil, old paint, lithium batteries, and fluorescent bulbs. This program ensures that volatile chemicals are kept out of the landfill and are processed safely by trained environmental technicians.
What Happens During Holidays?
Sanitation operations run on a normal schedule for most minor holidays. However, collections are entirely paused for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. If your regular trash day falls on or after one of those three dates, your service will be pushed back by exactly one day for the remainder of that week. For example, Thursday routes will be serviced on Friday, and Friday routes will be completed on Saturday.
Drop-off Facilities
Kiefer Landfill
12701 Kiefer Blvd, Sloughhouse, CA 95683
Materials Accepted
Crete Crush
11427 White Rock Rd, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Folsom delay trash pickup for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas?
No. The City of Folsom Waste and Recycling Division does not delay service for any holidays. Your gray, blue, and green bins will be serviced on your normal collection day year-round.
What is the Folsom Route Review program and what does an 'Oops' tag mean?
The Route Review program is an educational initiative where city staff conduct random visual audits of curbside bins. If your bin has more than 10% visible contamination (e.g., plastic bags in the recycling bin), you will receive an 'Oops' tag. While there are currently no fines, repeat extreme contamination could lead to your bin being serviced as trash for a fee.
Can I put cardboard in my Bulky Waste Pickup pile?
No. Cardboard is no longer accepted in the Folsom Bulky Waste Pickup program. You must flatten cardboard and place it in your blue recycling bin, or take it to a 24-hour community recycling dumpster located at City Hall, Lembi Park, or the Andy Morin Sports Complex.
How do I safely dispose of old paint and motor oil in Folsom?
Folsom offers a highly convenient door-to-door Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection program at no extra charge. You can schedule an appointment online or through the Folsom Waste Collection app to have paint, motor oil, batteries, and e-waste picked up right from your porch.