Burgundy (Old) or Dark Gray with Black Lid (New) Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Keep carts at least three feet apart from each other and other objects, with handles facing your home. Lids must close securely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Broken dishware and general refuse
Gray (Old) or Dark Gray with Blue Lid (New) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recycling; toss materials completely loose into the cart. Ensure food and liquid residue is rinsed out before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, and tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film wrap
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
To reduce odors and deter pests, put wet food waste in a brown paper bag, layer it with yard trimmings, freeze it before collection day, or sprinkle baking soda in the cart. Absolutely no plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread, grains)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters, tea bags)
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and small tree trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) free bulky item pickups per calendar year.
Placement
Place approved items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day only after successfully scheduling the pickup with Waste Management.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and sofas
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and refrigerators
- ✓ Desks and large furniture
- ✓ Electronic waste (scheduled separately)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Car bodies and automotive parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Items too heavy or large for one person to handle safely
If you exhaust your four free annual pickups, additional bulky item removals can be scheduled with Waste Management for a nominal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week will be delayed by exactly one day, with Friday customers being serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic waste and recycling carts follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash collection.
If a major holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are zero delays to your regular Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Beware the Smart Cameras
Waste Management trucks in Menifee are equipped with cameras that log overloaded carts and contamination. Keep your lid completely closed and sort correctly to avoid photographic warnings and potential fines.
Paper Bags Only for Organics
Never use plastic bags—even those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'—in your green organics cart. Use standard paper bags to contain messy food scraps.
No E-Waste in the Trash
Batteries, CFL bulbs, and electronics cause dangerous fires in collection trucks. Never place them in your carts; instead, utilize your three free annual e-waste pickups through Waste Management.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryWaste Management collects and recycles Christmas trees at no additional charge for the first two weeks following Christmas Day. Trees must be completely bare (no ornaments or tinsel), unflocked, and cut in half if they exceed 6 feet in length.
Spring/Summer
April - AugustCheck your quarterly WM invoices or the city's website to stay informed about free Menifee Community Cleanup, secure document shredding, and local compost giveaway events typically scheduled during the warmer months.
About Menifee Waste Management
Embracing SB 1383 with Menifee's New Cart Colors
To align with California's statewide SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, the City of Menifee and Waste Management are transitioning residential cart colors. The old system (burgundy for trash, gray for recycling, green for organics) is slowly being replaced by a standardized set of dark gray cart bodies. The new carts are easily distinguishable by their brightly colored lids: black for landfill trash, blue for recyclables, and green for organic waste.
Senior Discounts and Accessible Trash Solutions
Menifee provides excellent financial relief for older residents. Head-of-household seniors aged 60 and above can apply to downsize their cart capacity, earning a 9 percent discount on their monthly waste bill. Alternatively, seniors can apply for a one-time $50 solid waste bill credit through the Community Services Department. Additionally, residents with documented disabilities can sign up for free trash cart valet service, where WM drivers assist with moving carts to and from the curb.
Maximizing Your Free Bulky Item and E-Waste Limits
Clearing out household clutter is incredibly convenient under Menifee's franchise agreement. Every household with curbside service is entitled to four free bulky item pickups per calendar year, allowing up to six large items per trip. On top of this generous allowance, residents also receive three free electronic waste (e-waste) pickups annually, ensuring items like old televisions and computers stay out of local Riverside County landfills.
Safe Disposal of Medical Sharps and Motor Oil
Waste Management provides Menifee residents with highly specialized disposal services right at their doorstep. By calling WM 24 hours in advance, residents can schedule the free curbside pickup of up to two gallons of used motor oil on their regular service day. For medical waste, residents can request up to two free sharps mail-back containers per year, with subsequent kits costing a nominal $5.00 co-pay.
Strict Contamination Enforcement via Smart Trucks
To improve recycling purity, Waste Management utilizes smart camera technology on its automated collection trucks. If a driver spots contamination or a cart overflowing with its lid propped open, the system captures photographic evidence. The first and second infractions result in a mailed warning letter containing the photos. Any subsequent violations will incur mandatory Overfilled Cart or Contamination fees on your quarterly bill.
Drop-off Facilities
Lake Elsinore Permanent HHW Facility (Riverside County)
512 North Langstaff Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the senior discount on my trash bill in Menifee?
Menifee residents aged 60 and older who are the head of the household can apply to reduce their cart size to save 9% on their monthly bill by calling WM. Alternatively, you can apply for a one-time $50 solid waste bill credit by calling the Community Services Department at 951-723-3880.
Can I leave extra trash bags next to my cart?
No. All waste and recycling must fit entirely inside your cart with the lid completely closed. Trash, organics, or recyclables left on the ground outside the carts will not be collected by the automated trucks.
How does the free sharps disposal program work?
Waste Management provides Menifee residents with two free medical sharps mail-back containers per year. You can request a container by calling WM at 800-423-9986. Additional containers are available for a small $5.00 co-pay.
Why did Waste Management send me a photo of my trash cart?
WM utilizes truck cameras to monitor contamination and overfilled carts. If you receive a letter with photographic documentation, it serves as your first or second warning. Subsequent incidents will result in a Contamination or Overfilled Cart Fee.