Black or Gray (One & Done Bin) Bin (Trash)
All materials must be bagged to avoid spills during collection. Place the container at the edge of the street by 6:00 a.m., keeping it 5 feet apart from the green waste bin and 6 feet from vehicles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage and wrappers
- ✓Food scraps (solid foods, meat, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and napkins
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓All recyclable paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum
Black or Gray (One & Done Bin) Bin (Recycling)
Lincoln operates a mixed-waste program. Place all your recyclables into the same 'One & Done' garbage container. The WPWMA facility will mechanically and manually sort the recyclables out for you.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers and bottles
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean paper products and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Batteries (household or auto)
- ✕Toxic materials and hazardous waste
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Fluorescent tubes
Yard Waste Bin
Green waste cannot be bagged. Materials must fall freely from the container when dumped. Service occurs bi-weekly according to your Blue or Yellow zone designation.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Prunings (less than 2 feet long and 2 inches in diameter)
- ✓Small tree trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
E-waste weekly by appointment; bulk junk via temporary bin rentals or self-haul
Placement
Universal and e-waste appointments must be scheduled with Public Works at (916) 434-2450. Place items at the curb only after confirming your Wednesday pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ E-waste (items with a circuit board and plug)
- ✓ Automotive fluids and used cooking oil
- ✓ Household and auto batteries
- ✓ Fluorescent tubes
- ✓ Fats, oils, and grease (FOG)
Not Accepted
- ✕ General furniture or mattresses for free curbside pickup (unless renting a 3-yard bin or self-hauling)
Universal and E-waste pickups are completely free. However, renting a temporary 3-yard bin for larger cleanups will incur a service fee added to your utility bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Lincoln does NOT observe any collection holidays. Garbage and green waste are serviced as normal on ALL holidays, including major ones like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Yard Waste Exception
Green waste service remains strictly on its regular bi-weekly Blue or Yellow schedule, even if your day falls on a holiday.
Always ensure your carts are at the curb by 6:00 a.m., as holiday truck routing times may vary from your typical collection time.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Food Waste Stays Out of the Green Bin
Because Lincoln uses the 'One & Done' MRF sorting system, food scraps belong in your regular garbage container. Putting food in the green yard waste cart contaminates the pure yard trimmings stream.
Bag the Trash, Leave Yard Waste Loose
While the city asks you to bag your household garbage and recyclables in the One & Done bin to prevent neighborhood litter, the green waste cart must remain completely unbagged.
Cardboard Cannot Sit on the Ground
Do not lean excess cardboard against your carts, as trucks will not collect it. If you have too much cardboard to fit inside your bin, take it to the free community cardboard recycling bins located at Joiner Park or behind the Twelve Bridges Library.
Seasonal Information
Winter
DecemberDuring December, the City of Lincoln typically offers a special bagged leaf pickup program to manage heavy autumn leaf drops. Look for announcements from Public Works regarding exact dates and bagging requirements.
Year-Round
January to DecemberBecause green waste is collected bi-weekly, verify whether your street falls into the Blue Zone or Yellow Zone using the city's online waste map so you never miss your designated yard waste week.
About Lincoln Waste Management
Lincoln’s Innovative ‘One & Done’ Program
Unlike most California cities that require complex multi-bin sorting to comply with SB 1383, the City of Lincoln makes waste disposal incredibly simple. Through the 'One & Done' program, residents toss their general garbage, food scraps, and clean recyclables straight into the primary garbage cart. The city transports this mixed waste to the Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) Materials Recovery Facility, where state-of-the-art machinery and human sorters extract recyclables and organics for composting. To prevent street spills, the city specifically requests that you bag your trash before tossing it into the One & Done bin.
Green Waste Bi-Weekly Collection Zones
While food waste goes into the regular garbage bin, true yard waste—such as leaves, grass clippings, and small prunings—must be separated into the dedicated green waste cart. Because of Lincoln’s growing population, the city divides residential neighborhoods into alternating 'Blue' and 'Yellow' service zones for green waste pickup. The green cart is serviced every other week on your normal collection day. Ensure all yard trimmings fall freely; bagging green waste is strictly prohibited.
Free Wednesday E-Waste and Universal Waste Pickups
Electronic waste and hazardous materials like automotive fluids can spark dangerous fires in garbage trucks. To provide a convenient disposal option, the Lincoln Public Services Department offers free curbside pickups for Universal Waste every Wednesday. Eligible items include anything with a circuit board or plug, as well as household batteries, used cooking oil, and fluorescent tubes. You must call Public Works in advance to schedule your free Wednesday appointment.
No Holiday Service Delays
One of the most unique aspects of Lincoln's municipal waste program is its uninterrupted schedule. The City of Lincoln does not delay garbage or green waste service for any holidays. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day, if the holiday falls on your standard collection day, your bins will be emptied as usual. Residents must still ensure their carts are placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. sharp to avoid missed pickups.
Drop-off Facilities
Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) MRF
3195 Athens Blvd, Lincoln, CA 95648
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lincoln comply with SB 1383 organics recycling if I don't separate my food waste?
Lincoln complies with SB 1383 through the 'One & Done' program. Residents throw food waste and recyclables into the regular trash container. The waste is then transported to the WPWMA Materials Recovery Facility, which uses advanced equipment to sort out organic materials and recyclables for you.
Is garbage picked up on holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Yes! The City of Lincoln Public Services Department does not observe any collection holidays. Trash and green waste will be serviced on your regular day, regardless of any weekday holiday.
Can I bag my grass clippings and leaves in the green waste container?
No. The City of Lincoln requires that all green waste fall freely from the container when dumped. You must place yard trimmings loosely into the green bin without using plastic or compostable bags.
What do I do if I forget to put my trash can out on time?
Carts must be out by 6:00 a.m. If you miss your collection, you can complete a Public Services Request Form online or call (916) 434-2450 to schedule a return pickup. Note that a $29.00 return trip fee will apply per can.