Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Merced
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and organic green waste services are billed together with water and sewer on your monthly City of Merced utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop-Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Free Assisted Refuse Service is available for residents unable to wheel carts to the curb due to physical limitations or disabilities upon verification.
Grey Bin (Trash)
Lids must be able to close completely and the cart must weigh less than 200 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Plastic bags
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Succulents and cacti
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be loose in the container; do not use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper
- ✓Clean/flat cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Recyclable plastics #1, #2, #5
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Liquids
- ✕Organics
- ✕Pet waste
- ✕Trash
Yard Waste Bin
No building materials, dirt, rocks, palm fronds, or tree trimmings larger than 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plant matter
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Fruits and vegetables
- ✓Eggshells and nutshells
- ✓Food-soiled paper and cardboard
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand/Drop-off
Placement
Items must be taken to the Merced County Landfill or handled during specific seasonal cleanup events.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Electronic waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquids
- ✕ Flammable materials
- ✕ Hot ashes
Fees apply for landfill disposal. Residents should call (209) 723-4481 for current rates and information.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If one of these holidays falls on a Monday through Friday, collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday schedule as trash and recycling.
The city's Refuse Division observes federal holidays; always verify your specific schedule if a holiday falls near your pickup day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn/Winter
November onwardsThe city conducts seasonal leaf collection starting in November. Residents should watch for city announcements regarding specific dates for their neighborhoods.
Spring
SpringtimeDuring the Spring Clean-Up Program, the city often coordinates centralized drop-off points for bulky items. Contact Public Works at (209) 385-6800 for current year details.
Local Tips & Community Info
Merced Refuse Division Core Services
The City of Merced Public Works Department directly administers residential garbage collection. By utilizing municipal crews rather than private contractors, the city maintains strict cleanliness standards across all neighborhoods. Dwellings are assigned a specific weekly service day, and the local government utilizes a color-coded three-barrel method to process household waste. Staying informed about your designated route day and sorting requirements is a vital part of community upkeep.
Container Roll-Out and Clearance Directives
To guarantee your barrels are successfully serviced, you must have them positioned at the edge of the street by 6:00 a.m. sharp on your collection morning. The hydraulic lifting arms on the municipal refuse vehicles need a minimum of three feet of clearance around each barrel to function properly. Keep them away from parked cars, utility poles, and low-hanging tree branches. Furthermore, local codes dictate that residents must remove all empty barrels from the public right-of-way by 8:00 p.m. on the evening of collection.
Composting and Material Separation Guidelines
Merced rigorously enforces state organics mandates to divert climate pollutants from regional landfills. The green barrel is your designated receptacle for all compostable materials, which now encompasses kitchen food scraps alongside grass clippings, leaves, and branches. The blue barrel accepts clean, unbagged recyclables like cardboard, glass jars, and plastic jugs. Plastic grocery bags must never enter the recycling stream. The grey or black refuse barrel is strictly for non-recoverable household trash, such as broken ceramics and snack wrappers.
Scheduling Oversized Debris Removal
If you have broken furniture, old appliances, or mattresses, do not abandon them on the curb. The City of Merced offers a bulky item pickup program to help residents dispose of large junk safely. Property owners must contact the Public Works office to schedule a special collection appointment and confirm any applicable disposal fees before placing oversized items out on the street. Hazardous items like motor oil and wet paint are excluded from this program.
Navigating Holiday Schedule Disruptions
The standard weekly routing only pauses for a few major observed holidays, typically including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your normal pickup falls on or after one of these specific dates during the workweek, expect a one-day delay for the remainder of that week. Normal municipal operations automatically resume their usual Monday through Friday cadence the following week.
Drop-off Facilities
Merced County Landfill
7040 North Highway 59, Merced, CA 95348
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my trash was not collected?
Call the Refuse Division of the Public Works Department at (209) 385-6800 to report a missed pickup.
How can I dispose of household hazardous waste like paint or oil?
These items are not accepted in curbside carts. Take them to the Household Hazardous Waste area at the Merced County Landfill on North Highway 59.
Are there services for residents who cannot move their carts to the curb?
Yes, the City of Merced offers an assisted refuse service for those with physical limitations. Contact the Refuse Division at (209) 385-6800 to apply.
Where can I get a temporary dumpster for a home project?
You can rent temporary dumpsters from the city's Refuse Division. Contact the Public Works Department at (209) 385-6800 for pricing and availability.