Burgundy Bin (Trash)
Place all waste inside the burgundy cart and ensure the lid is fully closed. Do not place any trash outside the cart. Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with handles facing your home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Broken ceramics or glass
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
Gray Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclable items loosely in the gray cart. Never bag your recyclables in plastic. Empty and lightly rinse containers before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Needles or sharps
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use any plastic bags, including those labeled 'biodegradable' or 'compostable'. Yard waste and food scraps must go directly into the green cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and small branches
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper products
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Three free pickups per calendar year
Placement
Place all scheduled bulky items at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on the designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and refrigerators
- ✓ Electronic waste and universal waste
- ✓ Up to ten 32-gallon bags of trash per pickup
Not Accepted
- ✕ Car bodies or automotive parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Extremely heavy items requiring more than two people to lift
If you exceed your three free annual pickups, additional bulky item collections can be scheduled for a nominal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no delay in service.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic waste, recycling, and manure collection are subject to the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
Because standard collection in Norco typically falls on Mondays, Monday holidays like Labor Day and Memorial Day will always push service to Tuesday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Manure Clean and Dry
For those utilizing the specialized manure carts, it is critical to keep the lid closed to block out rain. Never include trash, green waste, feed bags, bailing twine, rocks, or horse shoes in the manure cart, as this ruins the composting process.
Loose Recyclables Only
Plastic bags and film are the leading cause of contamination in Norco's gray recycling carts. Keep them out entirely; recycling machinery at the recovery facility will jam if plastic bags are introduced.
Beware of 'Smart Truck' Violations
Because WM tracks contamination and overages via truck-mounted cameras, constantly tossing the wrong items into your gray or green carts will eventually result in automated notifications and contamination fees added to your utility bill.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryWaste Management collects and recycles Christmas trees for free during the first two weeks following Christmas [1.1.1]. Remove all decorations, lights, and stands. Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half. Flocked trees will be collected as trash but cannot be recycled.
Rainy Season
November - MarchHeavy rains can make manure carts dangerously heavy if lids are left open. If a manure cart exceeds the weight limit due to waterlogging, WM will tag it with a non-collection notice and return the next day with specialized equipment to safely service it.
About Norco Waste Management
Waste Management in Horsetown USA
Because Norco is proudly known as 'Horsetown USA,' its municipal solid waste program differs significantly from neighboring Riverside County cities. Alongside the standard trash, recycling, and green waste carts, Waste Management (WM) provides a dedicated Manure Collection service. Residential collections happen weekly on Mondays, and residents are required to carefully source-separate all materials into their specific carts.
The 'Clean Manure Only' Program
A standout feature of Norco's local franchise agreement is the 'Clean Manure Only' recycling initiative. Designed to divert heavy agricultural waste from local landfills, this program offers dedicated manure carts (available in 64-gallon or 96-gallon sizes) and even larger commercial roll-off bins for substantial volumes. The manure collected is sent to local composting facilities to be repurposed, maintaining Norco's equestrian lifestyle in an environmentally sustainable way.
SB 1383 Organic Recycling Compliance
In accordance with California's Senate Bill 1383, all Norco residents must participate in organic waste recycling. The green organics cart is strictly for yard trimmings and food scraps. By properly diverting organics from the burgundy trash cart, residents help reduce harmful methane emissions and contribute to the creation of nutrient-rich compost and renewable energy.
Smart Truck Technology and Overage Monitoring
To improve efficiency and safety, WM utilizes 'Smart Truck' technology on its collection routes in Norco. The automated trucks are equipped with cameras that monitor for overfilled containers and contaminated carts. Repeatedly overflowing your cart so the lid cannot close securely will result in photographic notifications sent to your address, and consecutive offenses will trigger overage fees.
Drop-off Facilities
Riverside County Department of Waste Resources (HHW Collection)
Various mobile and permanent locations in Riverside County
Materials Accepted
Main Street Fibers
Contact facility for specific drop-off locations in Norco
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the manure collection service work in Norco?
To support the local equestrian lifestyle, Waste Management offers a 'Clean Manure Only' program. You can subscribe to receive either a 96-gallon cart or two 64-gallon carts for a monthly fee. For larger horse properties, 2-cubic yard commercial bins or 7-to-10 yard roll-offs are available. The manure must remain free of all trash, feed bags, and horseshoe debris.
What should I do if I have too much trash for my burgundy cart?
Do not overfill your cart to the point where the lid won't close, as WM's Smart Truck cameras will flag it and you may incur an overage fee. Instead, you can request an additional trash cart for a nominal fee by contacting WM or visiting the City of Norco Utilities portal.
Can I put horse feed bags or baling twine in the green or manure carts?
No. Baling twine, plastic feed covers, and feed bags are considered trash and must be placed in your burgundy cart. Putting these items in the green organics cart or the manure cart will contaminate the compost.
How do I safely dispose of household hazardous waste in Norco?
Waste Management will not collect hazardous materials like paint, pool chemicals, batteries, or motor oil at the curb. You must transport these items to a Riverside County Waste Management Department HHW facility or drop-off event. However, WM does offer a free residentially generated used motor oil pickup if you call to schedule it 24 hours in advance.