Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Madera
Collections in California municipal routes run weekly (Mon-Fri). Your specific collection day is determined by your local neighborhood route.
State Mandate
Follow SB 1383 guidelines for food waste.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash, recycling, and green waste services provided by Mid Valley Disposal are billed directly on your monthly City of Madera municipal utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH), Phone, Mail, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
State law restricts direct utility rate discounts, but eligible low-income households may apply for relief through community programs like Reach and LIHWAP, or set up a payment plan.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Do not place heavy items like concrete, dirt, or rocks in the gray cart. All lids must fully close, and items larger than 4 feet are prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Animal and pet waste
- ✓Ceramics, mirrors, and window glass
- ✓Styrofoam packaging and cups
- ✓Soiled foil and wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and rubber
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable materials must be empty, clean, and dry. Flatten all cardboard boxes before placing them inside the blue cart to maximize space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean mixed paper and mail
- ✓Cardboard and shoe boxes
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and empty aerosol cans
- ✓Glass food and beverage jars/bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Foam plastic (Styrofoam)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Ceramics and window glass
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Diapers
Yard Waste Bin
Place food waste loosely, wrapped in newspaper, or in paper bags inside the cart. Do NOT use plastic bags. Cart weight must not exceed 300 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Yard trimmings and branches (under 3ft long & 6in diameter)
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, produce)
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Food-soiled paper products (pizza boxes, napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once per year during the Annual Citywide Curbside Cleanup (typically late February through March).
Placement
Place items in front of your residence up to 3 days before your scheduled zone's cleanup date. Keep the pile at least 6 inches from the curb to prevent blocking sewer vents, storm drains, and fire hydrants.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances and electronics (e-waste)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Furniture and bulky household junk
- ✓ Green waste (must be bundled or bagged)
- ✓ General debris (must be bagged or boxed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Auto parts and tires
- ✕ Construction or demolition materials
- ✕ Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- ✕ Flammable liquids and hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, rock, sod, and asphalt
The annual curbside cleanup is a free service included for single-family residential customers. Ineligible items left at the curb will not be collected and must be removed by the resident within 24 hours to avoid a citation.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Depending on when an observed holiday falls during the week, garbage pick-up days for the remainder of the week are delayed by one day, with Friday collections occurring on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
The one-day holiday delay applies equally to the gray trash, blue recycling, and green organics carts.
Check the City of Madera or Mid Valley Disposal websites for exact holiday schedule adjustments as major holidays approach.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
February and MarchThe Annual Citywide Curbside Cleanup event takes place during late winter and early spring. The city is split into two collection zones. Single-family residents can place up to one truckload of bulky waste at the curb during their zone's designated weeks.
Year-Round
January through DecemberThe Fairmead Landfill in nearby Chowchilla hosts a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Madera County residents can safely dispose of paints, chemicals, and auto fluids here for free.
Local Tips & Community Info
Understanding Your Madera Trash Pickup Schedule
The City of Madera partners with Mid Valley Disposal to manage all residential and commercial waste services. Standard garbage collection happens once a week for residents. To ensure a smooth and timely pickup, you must place your refuse carts on the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. If you are unsure of your neighborhood's specific route, you can easily verify your regular schedule by contacting Mid Valley Disposal or checking the city's solid waste lookup tool.
Local Recycling Rules and Best Practices
Madera actively encourages sustainable living through its comprehensive recycling programs. Your blue recycling bins are reserved for acceptable materials like dry cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and clean plastics. The city also strictly enforces state mandates, such as AB 341 and AB 1826, which mandate commercial recycling and organic waste diversion. By making a daily habit of rinsing your food containers and breaking down cardboard boxes, you directly help extend the lifespan of local California landfills.
Yard Waste and Organics Collection
Proper disposal of green waste is essential for meeting state environmental goals. Your green cart is specifically designed for organic materials, including grass clippings, fallen leaves, tree trimmings, and acceptable food scraps. Never place plastic bags, dirt, concrete, or rocks into your organics bin, as these contaminants severely disrupt the local composting process. Keeping Madera clean starts right in your own backyard!
Bulky Item and Large Waste Disposal
Do you have an old couch or a broken refrigerator taking up space? Please do not leave it permanently on the curb! Madera residents can take advantage of special community clean-up events and bulky waste collection services for oversized items. Whether you are trying to get rid of old mattresses, electronic waste, or bulky furniture, it is important to schedule a specialized pickup rather than overstuffing your standard residential carts. Reach out to Mid Valley Disposal to learn more about requesting a large item pickup.
Proper Cart Placement Guidelines
To guarantee that automated collection trucks can safely and efficiently empty your bins, proper placement is absolutely key. Position your trash, recycling, and green waste carts side-by-side with a minimum of three feet of clearance between each container. Keep them well away from parked cars, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches. The cart handles should be facing your home, with the lid opening toward the street.
Holiday Collection Delays
Like many municipalities, Madera adjusts its sanitation collection schedule during major national holidays. If your normal service day falls on or after a recognized major holiday like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day, you can generally expect a standard one-day delay for the remainder of that week. Normal service always resumes the following Monday. Keep an eye on official city announcements during the busy holiday season to stay updated.
Handling Missed Pickups and Damaged Bins
Occasionally, a route pickup might be missed, or a trash cart might suffer heavy wear and tear. If your garbage container is damaged, you can request a quick replacement by calling Mid Valley Disposal directly at 1-800-706-5779. However, if you are a brand new resident needing to order waste carts for the first time, or if you wish to add additional sanitation services to your property, you must coordinate this through the City of Madera Utility Billing Department.
Drop-off Facilities
Fairmead Landfill / Mammoth Recycling Facility
21739 Road 19, Chowchilla, CA 93610
Materials Accepted
Mid Valley Disposal Kerman MRF & Transfer Station
15300 W. Jensen Ave, Kerman, CA 93630
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put dirty pizza boxes in my recycling cart in Madera?
No, heavily greased or food-soiled cardboard cannot be recycled in the blue cart. However, because Madera complies with state organics laws, you should place greasy pizza boxes directly into your green compost cart along with your food scraps!
What do I do if my Mid Valley Disposal cart breaks or goes missing?
If any part of your cart is cracked, missing a lid, or has a broken wheel, you can request a free repair or replacement by calling Mid Valley Disposal directly at 1-559-237-9425 or 1-800-706-5779.
How do I get rid of an old mattress in Madera?
You can dispose of old mattresses for free by placing them out during your zone's Annual Citywide Curbside Cleanup event in the spring. If you miss the event, you will need to haul it to a designated drop-off facility like the Fairmead Landfill in Chowchilla.
Am I allowed to use plastic bags for my food waste in the green cart?
No. Plastic bags severely contaminate the compost. If you want to line your kitchen pail or bag your food scraps before throwing them in the green cart, you must use paper bags or wrap the food tightly in newspaper.