Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Modesto
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Every other week on trash day (alternates by odd or even street address number)
Yard Waste
Weekly on regular trash day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential solid waste and recycling collection fees are bundled with water, sewer, and storm drain charges on your monthly City of Modesto utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The Utility Billing Assistance Program (UBAP) provides a $45 monthly discount to eligible low-income residents enrolled in qualifying assistance programs (e.g., Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, or CARE). One-time discounts are also offered for enrolling in Auto-Pay and Paperless Billing.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Understanding Modesto's Dual-Hauler System
Unlike many municipalities that rely on a single contractor, the City of Modesto divides its sanitation duties between two separate franchised haulers: Gilton Solid Waste Management and Bertolotti Disposal. Your exact service provider depends entirely on your neighborhood's location within the city limits. Regardless of which company services your home, the standardized three-can system applies uniformly across all residential zones. You can easily verify your assigned hauler and download your customized pickup calendar by visiting the official Modesto solid waste web page and entering your street address.
Curbside Cart Placement Guidelines
To guarantee the automated trucks can lift your containers without causing property damage, carts must be wheeled out to the street before 6:00 a.m. on the morning of your collection. Modesto regulations stipulate that containers should sit flat on the street against the curb, with the lid opening facing the roadway. Drivers need a minimum clearance of three feet around each can, so keep them well away from parked cars, low-hanging tree branches, and basketball hoops. By nightfall on your designated service day, you are required to pull the empty bins out of public view.
The Green Can: Yard Debris and Kitchen Scraps
Because of strict statewide environmental goals under SB 1383, Modesto enforces rigorous sorting protocols for organic waste. Residents are expected to use the green container for all compostable materials. This means you must discard not only your grass clippings, weeds, and small branches, but also all food scraps like meat bones, cheese, spoiled vegetables, and coffee grounds. Putting these items into plastic bags is strictly forbidden because it ruins the composting batch. For messy kitchen scraps, wrap them in newspaper or place them in a paper bag before tossing them into the green bin.
Keeping the Blue Can Contaminant-Free
Contamination in the blue container remains a serious issue that can lead to processing fines and rejected loads. You should only place clean, dry, and loose recyclables inside this specific bin. Acceptable materials include flattened cardboard boxes, empty plastic bottles, tin cans, and glass jars. Do not treat the blue can as an overflow trash bin, and absolutely avoid tossing in 'tanglers' such as garden hoses, clothing, or plastic grocery bags, which wrap around the gears at the local recycling facility and halt daily operations.
How to Schedule Large Item Removal
Modesto provides a convenient solution for disposing of oversized junk like broken washing machines, old mattresses, and large yard waste bundles. Residential customers get two free bulky waste collection appointments every twelve months. Rather than hauling heavy items to a transfer station, you simply call your specific hauler (either Gilton or Bertolotti) to schedule a curb pickup. Advance notice is required, and materials cannot be placed outside until the night before your confirmed appointment. Leaving junk on the sidewalk outside of a scheduled pickup window violates municipal code.
Holiday Delays for Trash Pickup
Garbage trucks take a rest during four major holidays: New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Whenever your regular collection day lands on or follows one of these dates during the workweek, your pickup will be delayed by exactly one day. For example, a Thursday Thanksgiving means Thursday neighborhoods get serviced on Friday, and Friday neighborhoods will see trucks on Saturday. Regular schedules always resume the following Monday, so plan your household waste disposal accordingly.
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.