Brown Bin (Trash)
Set out the brown garbage cart every week by 5:00 a.m. Keep carts at least 2 feet apart and clear of mailboxes, trees, and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Wrappers and chip bags
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the cart without bagging. Setting out the blue cart is optional on weeks when it is not full.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspapers and junk mail
- ✓Cardboard (cereal boxes, soda boxes)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel
- ✓Plastic containers #1-7
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard trimmings
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put any dirt, rocks, concrete, or tree stumps in the green cart. Like recycling, set out only when full by 5:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Tree trimmings, pruning, and leaves
- ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Annual free event (Spring) or fee-based by request year-round
Placement
For the Spring Clean-Up, place items curbside the evening before pick-up. Piles must not exceed 3 ft wide by 7.5 ft long by 3 ft high.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ E-Waste and Appliances (must be separated)
- ✓ Up to 4 tires without rims
- ✓ Bagged or boxed small items (under 50 lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Loose or un-bagged small items
- ✕ Bags or boxes weighing over 50 lbs
- ✕ Engines and engine parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquids
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete, and bricks
The Spring Clean-Up is free. Special pickups scheduled at other times of the year incur a fee directly from Republic Services.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services typically delays collection by one day if an observed holiday falls on or before your regular weekday pickup.
Yard Waste Exception
If a holiday delay is in effect, all three carts (trash, recycling, and green waste) are delayed by the same one-day schedule.
Even during holiday weeks, please ensure all required carts are wheeled to the curb by 5:00 a.m. on the adjusted service day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Dirt and Rocks Out of Organics
While your green cart is perfect for yard waste and food scraps, heavy earth materials like dirt, rocks, concrete, and tree stumps are strictly prohibited and can severely damage processing equipment.
Battery Recycling Made Easy
Never throw batteries inside any of your carts. Lathrop allows household battery recycling at the curb by sealing them in a clear zip-lock bag and placing the bag on top of your blue recycling cart.
Don't Bag Your Recyclables
Keep your recyclables loose. Bagging materials in plastic grocery bags causes severe jams at the Republic Services sorting facility, turning perfectly good recyclables into trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring
MarchTake advantage of Lathrop's Annual Spring Clean-Up, where active account holders can leave up to 2.5 cubic yards of bulky items at the curb for free collection.
Summer
June - AugustDuring extreme summer heat, ensure food waste in the green cart is layered with yard clippings or wrapped in food-soiled paper (like newspaper) to minimize odors and deter pests.
Year-Round
January - DecemberIf you plan to leave Lathrop for one to two months, you can call Republic Services to request a temporary service interruption and pause your billing.
About Lathrop Waste Management
Lathrop's Three-Cart Waste System
Solid waste collection is mandatory within the City of Lathrop and is managed entirely through an exclusive franchise agreement with Republic Services. To promote sustainability and assist in reducing landfill reliance, Lathrop utilizes a three-cart system: a brown cart for household garbage, a blue cart for recycling, and a green cart for yard waste and organics. This streamlined approach makes it simpler for residents to separate waste efficiently right at the curb.
Compliance with California Organics Mandates
Driven by stringent California environmental laws like AB 1826 and SB 1383, the City of Lathrop actively mandates organic waste recycling to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All residential properties are required to divert green waste and food scraps away from the landfill by utilizing their designated green yard waste cart. Proper sorting of items like fruit peels, eggshells, and food-soiled paper plates ensures the city stays compliant while producing nutrient-rich compost.
Annual Spring Clean-Up Event
While standard bulky item collections typically require scheduling and an additional fee through Republic Services, Lathrop residents look forward to the Annual Spring Clean-Up. Usually scheduled in March, this community-wide event allows households with active garbage accounts to place up to 2.5 cubic yards of large items, including furniture and e-waste, on the curb for free removal, helping to keep Lathrop neighborhoods clean and clutter-free.
Curbside Battery and Motor Oil Recycling
Lathrop offers highly convenient curbside options for certain tricky-to-dispose materials. Residents can recycle used household batteries by simply sealing them in a clear zip-lock plastic bag and placing them on top of their blue recycling cart. Additionally, Republic Services provides limited collection of used motor oil and oil filters for cars and light trucks, provided they are placed in properly sealed, approved disposal containers.
Discount Programs and Service Interruptions
To ensure equitable access to essential services, Republic Services offers discounted monthly rates for seniors over 65, military veterans, and low-income households. Moreover, Lathrop residents who travel frequently or leave for extended periods (between one and two months) can easily pause their trash service and billing by calling customer service, adding a layer of financial flexibility for seasonal travelers.
Drop-off Facilities
San Joaquin County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
7850 R A Bridgeford St, Stockton, CA 95206
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I have more garbage than my brown cart can hold?
Loose bags left on the curb will not be collected. You must call Republic Services at (209) 466-3604 to request an extra service pick-up, for which an additional fee will apply.
Can I pause my Lathrop garbage service while on an extended vacation?
Yes. If you will be out of town for a minimum of one month and a maximum of two months, you can contact Republic Services to have your service and billing temporarily interrupted.
Are there senior or veteran discounts for waste collection in Lathrop?
Yes, Republic Services offers discounted monthly rates for seniors over the age of 65, veterans, and low-income residents. Applications are available via the City of Lathrop's Public Works webpage.
How do I safely dispose of used household batteries?
You do not need to take batteries to a facility. Simply place them in a clear zip-lock plastic bag and set the bag on top of your blue recycling cart on your designated collection date.