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
!Contamination Tips
Keep it Loose in the Green Bin
Never use plastic bags for your green waste or organics. Bagged yard clippings will result in contamination fines. Always place yard waste and food scraps directly into the cart.
Palm Fronds Go in the Trash
Unlike typical yard trimmings, palm trees, palm fronds, and bamboo must be placed in the black refuse container, not the green one, because their tough fibers cannot be easily composted.
Separate Your Food Waste Properly
While plant-based food waste and food-soiled paper belong in the green organic bin, animal-based proteins like meat, bones, and dairy must be thrown in the black trash cart.
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.
About Hanford Waste Management
Residential Refuse Program Overview in Hanford
The City of Hanford provides residents with a segregated three-cart automated collection system to manage household waste efficiently. Overseen by the Public Works Department’s Refuse Division, this program ensures compliance with California's strict SB 1383 organic waste mandates. Homeowners are issued color-coded 96-gallon wheeled bins for trash, recyclables, and green waste, making it simple to keep items separated right at the curb. For uninterrupted service, bins should be placed out by 5:00 a.m. with at least two to three feet of clearance from obstacles.
Maximizing the Greenwaste and Organics Program
Hanford's dedicated green waste recycling initiative plays a crucial role in diverting over 50% of the city’s residential refuse away from local landfills. By utilizing the green container for grass clippings, leaves, and food waste, residents actively support regional sustainability goals. Remember, green waste should always be kept loose inside the cart—never bagged. Throwing plastic bags, rocks, or animal-based proteins in the green bin can result in contamination fines ranging from $50 to $250 per occurrence.
Managing Kings County Household Hazardous Waste
Proper disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW) is vital for protecting Hanford’s groundwater and environment. Items such as paint, electronic devices, chemical cleaners, fluorescent bulbs, and batteries are strictly prohibited from all curbside collection containers. The Kings Waste and Recycling Authority (KWRA) manages specialized collection policies for these materials. Residents should utilize local KWRA drop-off points rather than risking bin contamination, which endangers sanitation workers and incurs steep penalties.
Holiday Collection Schedule Shifts
Hanford utilizes a simple 'one-day delay' policy when city-observed holidays fall on a standard weekday. If a major holiday interrupts your normal collection day, both residential and commercial refuse services are pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week. This means normally scheduled Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday. Staying up to date with the Refuse Division's official holiday calendar ensures your automated bins won't miss their scheduled sweep.
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.