Black Bin (Trash)
Recycling and organics are no longer allowed in the black container. Do not overfill the cart beyond 100 pounds, and ensure the lid can close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Animal waste and litter box debris
- ✓Diapers and feminine hygiene products
- ✓Plastic bags, packaging, and film
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam) items
- ✓Flocked or treated holiday trees
- ✓Masks, gloves, and sanitary wipes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling containers are serviced every other week based on your odd or even address. All items must be completely clean, dry, and loose inside the container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Laundry detergent bottles and plastic tubs
- ✓Molded plastic packaging
- ✓CRV and non-CRV metals and plastics
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or plastic-lined bags
- ✕Garbage, food waste, or green waste
- ✕Treated wood or lumber
- ✕Dirt, rocks, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕Hazardous, toxic, or e-waste
Yard Waste Bin
Mandatory weekly organics collection under SB 1383. Keep organic materials loose; do not use any plastic bags or plastic-lined bags for your food scraps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food waste (including meat, bones, and dairy)
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (less than 4 ft long and 6 inches thick)
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and plant trimmings
- ✓Food-soiled paper and greasy cardboard
- ✓Napkins and paper towels
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free pickups per calendar year
Placement
Set items out on the street 1 foot away from the curb no more than 24 hours in advance. Do not block sidewalks, hydrants, or storm drains. No alley pickups are allowed.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, tables, and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (limited quantity)
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and stoves
- ✓ Refrigerators (must be emptied with doors removed)
- ✓ Bundled wood (up to 10 pieces)
Not Accepted
- ✕ E-waste (TVs, computer monitors, microwaves)
- ✕ Glass, mirrors, or windows
- ✕ Construction, demolition, or remodeling materials
- ✕ Dead animals or hazardous waste
Commercial bin customers are not eligible for this free program. Exceeding the size limit or setting items out without a confirmed appointment can result in municipal citations and fines.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Modesto haulers only observe four holidays per year. If one of these holidays falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of that appropriate week.
Yard Waste Exception
The green organics cart and blue recycling cart follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the black trash cart.
Holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day do not affect your regular collection schedule. Set your bins out on your normal day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Don't Bag the Organics
Plastic bags and plastic-lined bags are strictly forbidden in the green organics bin. Keep your food scraps loose or wrap them securely in a sheet of plain newspaper.
Say No to Flocked Trees in Green Waste
If your Christmas tree has flocking (fake snow), paint, or fireproofing, it cannot be composted. It must be cut up and thrown into the black garbage container, or disposed of via a bulky item appointment.
Keep Heavy Debris Out
None of the three carts are designed to handle heavy construction or landscaping debris. Do not place dirt, rocks, concrete, or asphalt into any of the bins, as it will instantly cause a weight-limit rejection.
Seasonal Information
Year-Round
January - DecemberThe city conducts proactive container inspections year-round. If your container is tagged for contamination, it will not be serviced until you remove the contaminant and contact the Solid Waste Division to schedule an inspection.
Spring/Summer
March - AugustThe Modesto Household Hazardous Waste Facility occasionally hosts a Re-Use program on Saturday mornings where residents can pick up free, partially used cleaning supplies, wood stains, and latex paints.
About Modesto Waste Management
Modesto's Dual-Hauler Franchise System
The City of Modesto manages residential solid waste through a unique franchise agreement split between two private companies: Bertolotti Disposal Services and Gilton Solid Waste Management. Your specific street address dictates which hauler services your property. Regardless of your designated hauler, all single-family residents follow the same uniform three-cart system and municipal guidelines. Customers must place their carts out by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day to guarantee service.
Understanding the Every-Other-Week Recycling Schedule
While your black garbage cart and green organics cart are emptied every single week, the blue recycling cart is on a bi-weekly collection schedule. Modesto determines your specific recycling week based on your house number. Homes with odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) are serviced one week, while even-numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) are serviced the alternating week.
Strict Organics Enforcement and Progressive Fines
Modesto takes California's SB 1383 climate mandates incredibly seriously. Residents must separate all food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper—into the green organics container alongside yard trimmings. The city proactively inspects carts; if unacceptable materials are found, your bin will be tagged and skipped. Service will only resume after you remove the contamination and contact the Solid Waste Division for a manual inspection. Repeat offenses trigger a progressive municipal fine structure that begins at $100.
Waste-to-Energy Processing for Landfill Trash
Modesto residents are urged to be mindful of what goes into their black garbage cart. Clean recycling and organic waste are strictly prohibited in the black container. Instead of heading straight to a traditional landfill, the acceptable refuse in the black cart is sent to a specialized Waste-to-Energy facility in the region, where it is burned under controlled conditions to generate electricity.
Maximizing Your Free Bulky Pickups
Disposing of large household items is simple with Modesto’s Bulky Item Collection Program. Single-family households are entitled to two free curbside collections per calendar year. Residents can set out up to a 6-foot by 6-foot pile of approved items—like old furniture, mattresses, and major appliances—after scheduling an appointment with their respective hauler. Remember that electronic waste, such as televisions and microwaves, is strictly prohibited from these curbside piles.
Drop-off Facilities
Stanislaus County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
1710 Morgan Road, Modesto, CA 95358
Materials Accepted
Bertolotti Transfer Station
231 Flamingo Drive, Modesto, CA 95358
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up the residential trash in Modesto?
The City of Modesto operates a dual-hauler franchise system, utilizing two private haulers: Gilton Solid Waste Management and Bertolotti Disposal Services. Your specific hauler is determined strictly by your street address and service area.
How often is the blue recycling bin picked up in Modesto?
While garbage and organics are collected weekly, the blue recycling container is serviced every other week on your regular collection day. The schedule alternates depending on whether your home has an odd or even-numbered street address.
What happens if I put the wrong items in my green organics bin?
Modesto enforces strict contamination rules for SB 1383 compliance. If contamination is found, your container will be tagged and skipped. You will not receive service until you remove the contaminant and contact the city for a manual inspection. Repeat offenses trigger progressive fines starting at $100.
Can I put my old television out for the bulky item pickup?
No. Electronic waste (e-waste) like TVs, computer monitors, and microwaves are strictly prohibited in the free Curbside Bulky Item program. You must take these items to a transfer station, such as the Bertolotti Transfer Station, where a disposal fee will apply.