Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hanford
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Weekly on your scheduled collection day
Yard Waste
Weekly on your scheduled collection day
Set Out Time
By 5:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection charges are bundled with water and sewer services on your monthly City of Hanford utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH), Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Black Bin (Trash)
Place items securely inside; lids must close completely. Ensure 2 to 3 feet of spacing between containers and 5 feet from other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Animal-based proteins
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Bagged animal waste
- ✓Chip bags
- ✓Candy wrappers
- ✓Juice boxes or pouches
- ✓Dirty plastic bags
- ✓Clothing, fabric, and shoes
- ✓Ceramics and mirrors
- ✓Polystyrene foam
- ✓Palm trees, palm fronds, and bamboo (cut down)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable items should be clean and placed loosely in the bin. Do not bag recyclables or overload the container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic
- ✓Glass
- ✓Tin and aluminum containers
- ✓Clean paper
- ✓Clean cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Greenwaste
- ✕Electronic devices
- ✕Garbage
Yard Waste Bin
Do not bag greenwaste. Cut branches and wood into small pieces so the container lid closes completely. No garbage or recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Wood (without nails, glue, or paint)
- ✓Sawdust
- ✓Plant material
- ✓Food waste (no animal-based proteins)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, paper plates, napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
As needed
Placement
Contact the Refuse Division at 559-585-2550 for instructions on bulky item drop-off locations, large commercial bin rentals, or special event container services.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large household appliances (via KWRA)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Paint and solvents
- ✕ Landscape care chemicals
- ✕ Automotive parts
Special disposal fees or self-haul requirements may apply depending on the item. Check with KWRA or the Hanford Refuse Division for current rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday closure occurs during the normal work week, refuse services are pushed back one day following the holiday. Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
No specific exceptions; the one-day delay applies to all three residential carts.
Containers must still be placed out by 5 a.m. on the adjusted collection day and removed from the street by 7 p.m. the same day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to AugustTo minimize strong odors during the hot San Joaquin Valley summers, try to cut your grass and dispose of food scraps as close to your scheduled collection day as possible.
Fall
October to DecemberDuring autumn leaf drop, maximize your green bin capacity by cutting branches into small pieces and compacting leaves, ensuring the 96-gallon cart lid can still fully close.
Local Tips & Community Info
Hanford's Three-Cart Automated Collection System
The City of Hanford Public Works Department, through its Solid Waste Division, manages all residential refuse and recycling pickup across the community. Each single-family household is issued three distinct 96-gallon wheeled carts to properly separate waste streams in accordance with local and state environmental mandates. Adhering to the city's strict sorting protocols is essential for avoiding municipal fines, which can range from $50 to $250 per occurrence if bins are found to be heavily contaminated or improperly loaded. For route schedules and map boundaries, residents can review the official refuse division documents updated for neighborhood efficiency.
Rules for Curbside Cart Placement
Ensuring your bins are properly positioned guarantees uninterrupted weekly service. Residents are required to wheel all containers out to the street edge before the arrival of the collection trucks. Lids must close completely—overloaded containers or exceptionally heavy bins may be tagged and left on the curb. Be sure to space the carts carefully, keeping them away from low-hanging branches, vehicles, or mailboxes so the automated mechanical arm can grasp each one safely without causing property damage.
Navigating the Greenwaste and Organics Cart
Hanford's green container is strictly designated for yard trimmings and organic materials, but the city has highly specific rules regarding food waste. While you should toss in grass clippings, leaves, small wood pieces (without glue or paint), and food-soiled paper like pizza boxes, Hanford strictly prohibits any animal-based proteins in the organics cart. Meat, bones, and dairy must not go in the green bin. Furthermore, bagging your greenwaste is not allowed—everything must be placed in the container loosely to prevent processing facility jams.
Guidelines for Blue and Black Bins
The blue recycling container is reserved for standard, clean commodities. Acceptable items include plastics, glass bottles, tin, aluminum cans, and clean cardboard. If paper has food grease on it, it belongs in the greenwaste bin. The black container is your general refuse bin and is the only appropriate place for animal-based proteins, diapers, bagged animal waste, styrofoam, candy wrappers, and chip bags. Even challenging yard debris like palm fronds and bamboo must go into the black bin because they disrupt the city's greenwaste composting equipment.
Managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Toxic chemicals, electronics, and fluorescent tubes should never be discarded in any of your three automated carts. The Kings Waste and Recycling Authority (KWRA) manages the safe disposal of Household Hazardous Waste, Electronic Waste (E-Waste), and Universal Waste (U-Waste) for the Hanford community. Residents are encouraged to bring old paint, solvents, landscape chemicals, and batteries directly to certified collection centers. For routine vehicle maintenance, used motor oil and filters can typically be taken to local Hanford auto parts stores for safe recycling.
Drop-off Facilities
Kings Waste and Recycling Authority (KWRA)
7803 Hanford Armona Rd, Hanford, CA 93230
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I put the wrong items in my Hanford recycling or green waste bin?
Contaminating your blue or green container with unaccepted items (like putting trash in the green bin) can result in a violation fee ranging from $50 to $250 for each occurrence.
Where do I dispose of old paint and household chemicals in Hanford?
Hazardous materials like paint, fertilizers, automotive chemicals, and electronic devices are prohibited from curbside bins. They must be taken to the Kings Waste and Recycling Authority (KWRA) for proper household hazardous waste disposal.
What time do my carts need to be on the curb for pickup?
All carts (black, blue, and green) should be placed in the street or alley the night before, or no later than 5 a.m. on the day of collection. They must be removed from the curb by 7 p.m. on the same day.
Does the city pick up palm fronds with regular yard waste?
No. Palm trees, palm fronds, and bamboo cannot be composted with regular green waste. They must be cut down to fit completely inside the black refuse container with the lid closed.