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
!Contamination Tips
Cardboard Ban in Bulky Waste
Cardboard is no longer accepted as part of Folsom's Bulky Waste Pickup program. All cardboard must be flattened and placed in your blue recycling bin or taken to one of the 24-hour community drop-off dumpsters.
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Plastic grocery bags and trash bags are the number one contaminant in the blue recycling bin. They jam the sorting machinery at the Cal-Waste Material Recovery Facility. Always throw your recyclables loosely into the bin.
Keep Tanglers Out
Garden hoses, electrical cords, metal chains, and clothing cannot be recycled curbside. These items are considered 'tanglers' and must go in your gray trash bin or be donated if still usable.
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.
About Folsom Waste Management
Meeting California's SB 1383 Mandates
To comply with California's SB 1383, Folsom residents must divert all organic waste from the landfill. This means your green bin is no longer just for grass and leaves; all food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper products—must be placed in the green organics bin. The city collects these bins weekly and processes the material into nutrient-rich compost, helping combat greenhouse gas emissions at local landfills.
The Random Route Review Program
The City of Folsom takes an education-first approach to recycling compliance through its ongoing Route Review program. City staff conduct random visual audits of curbside garbage, recycling, and organics bins before they are emptied. Cans with correct sorting receive a 'Keep up the good work' tag, while those with more than 10% visible contamination receive an 'Oops' tag. This initiative helps improve the quality of recyclable material sent to the Cal-Waste Material Recovery Facility.
Door-to-Door Hazardous Waste Collection
Unlike many cities that require residents to drive to a distant facility, Folsom offers a highly convenient door-to-door Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and electronic waste collection service at no additional charge. Residents can easily schedule an appointment online or via the Folsom Waste Collection app to dispose of items like batteries, motor oil, paint, antifreeze, TVs, and computer monitors safely from their doorstep.
Community Recycling Drop-Off Locations
If you generate an abundance of cardboard or mixed paper, you don't need to wait for your bi-weekly blue bin service. The City of Folsom maintains 24-hour community recycling bins at accessible locations like the Andy Morin Sports Complex and Lembi Park. These specialized white dumpsters exclusively accept flattened cardboard, newspaper, magazines, glass bottles, and aluminum cans.
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.