Grey or Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the cart so the lid can close completely. Place carts at least 3 feet apart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day, ensuring they are not blocked by parked vehicles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and disposable diapers
- ✓Styrofoam cups and packaging
- ✓Broken toys and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Rubber items (hoses, ropes)
- ✓Palm fronds and fibrous yard debris
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, dry, and free of food residue. Place recyclables loosely in the blue cart without bagging them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper, office paper, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard and cereal boxes
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Wrapping paper and ornaments
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (pizza boxes)
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. All yard trimmings and food scraps must be placed directly into the green organics cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and tree trimmings
- ✓Untreated wood and garden waste
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and eggshells
- ✓Coffee grounds, filters, pasta, rice, and bread
- ✓Food-soiled paper and cardboard
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) free collection services per calendar year.
Placement
You must complete an intake form online or call Mid Valley Disposal to schedule the pickup. Wait for confirmation instructions before placing items at the curb.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, mattresses, and furniture
- ✓ Old or unused appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Tires
- ✓ Extra bagged trash
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, drywall)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Carpeting
Single-family and multi-family residents receive four free pickups annually; construction roll-off bins must be rented separately.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), all collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
The holiday delay applies uniformly to all three carts: trash, recycling, and organics.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no interruption to the residential collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Palm Fronds Go in the Trash
Although they come from your landscaping, palm fronds are extremely fibrous and do not break down in the composting process. Mid Valley Disposal requires that palm fronds and similar non-recyclable yard debris be placed in your trash cart, not the green cart.
Keep Tanglers Out of the Blue Bin
Rubber hoses, ropes, and extension cords are known as 'tanglers' because they wrap around and jam the gears at the recycling sorting facility. Always dispose of these items in the garbage.
No E-Waste in Curbside Carts
Electronic waste, including cell phones, vapes, and batteries, pose a severe fire risk if crushed in a collection truck. Never place these items in any of your three carts; instead, schedule them for a bulky item pickup.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFrom December 26th through January 14th, Los Banos residents are permitted to place large, flattened corrugated cardboard that does not fit in the recycling cart directly next to it for free collection. Natural Christmas trees, cut into 4-foot sections with all decorations removed, can be placed inside the green cart.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring peak fall foliage drop, the City of Los Banos Public Works Department oversees a Fall Leaf Pickup program to help keep storm drains clear of blockages. Ensure your standard green cart is filled before utilizing extra collection options.
About Los Banos Waste Management
Transition to Mid Valley Disposal
Following the expiration of a previous long-term contract with Republic Services, the City of Los Banos transitioned its residential and commercial waste franchise to Mid Valley Disposal [1.2.5]. Today, Mid Valley Disposal equips all single-family residents with a standardized three-cart system—featuring robust 96-gallon containers for trash, mixed recyclables, and organic waste.
Strict Municipal Ordinance on Cart Placement
Los Banos Municipal Code Sec. 6-3.23 strictly regulates the placement of your waste bins. Carts may only be placed at the street curb edge beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to collection, and they must be removed by 11:59 p.m. on your designated service day. Furthermore, it is unlawful to store your containers in any location that is visible from a public street or alleyway on non-collection days.
Four Generous Bulky Item Collections Annually
To combat illegal dumping and keep neighborhoods pristine, Mid Valley Disposal offers Los Banos residents a highly accommodating bulky item program. Every household is entitled to four free bulky waste pickups per year. During each scheduled appointment, you can place up to 3 cubic yards of material, or up to 6 large items (such as couches, mattresses, or e-waste), right at the curb.
SB 1383 Organics and Food Scraps
In compliance with California's SB 1383, Los Banos residents must utilize their green organics cart for both yard trimmings and kitchen food waste. Mid Valley Disposal processes this material to divert methane-producing organics from landfills. You can place fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, meat, pasta, and food-soiled paper directly into the green cart.
Safeguarding the Local Storm Drains
The Los Banos Public Works Department emphasizes that the local storm drainage system flows directly into neighboring wetlands and irrigation canals completely untreated. Residents are reminded that washing out trash bins, dumping yard clippings, or letting hazardous fluids leak onto the street constitutes an illicit discharge. Always ensure your cart lids are tightly closed to prevent windblown litter.
Drop-off Facilities
Billy Wright Landfill & HHW Facility
17173 S. Billy Wright Rd, Los Banos, CA 93635
Materials Accepted
Mid Valley Disposal Los Banos Office
502 I Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the trash collector for the City of Los Banos?
Mid Valley Disposal holds the exclusive franchise agreement for residential and commercial solid waste, recycling, and organic waste collection in the City of Los Banos.
How long can I leave my trash bins on the street in Los Banos?
According to Los Banos Municipal Code Sec. 6-3.23, you can place your carts at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to collection, and they must be removed from the street by 11:59 p.m. on the day of your scheduled collection.
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress?
Los Banos residents receive four free bulky item collections per year through Mid Valley Disposal. You can request a pickup for up to 6 large items (like couches, appliances, or e-waste) by submitting a request form on the Mid Valley Disposal website or calling (209) 270-5100.
What should I do with large cardboard boxes after the holidays?
If your large corrugated cardboard boxes do not fit inside the blue recycling cart, Mid Valley Disposal allows residents to place them flattened beside the recycling cart between December 26th and January 14th.