Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for North Highlands
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Bi-weekly on your assigned collection day
Yard Waste
Weekly on your assigned collection day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services are billed through Sacramento County Consolidated Utilities Billing & Service (CUBS) alongside county sewer and stormwater fees.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (EFT), Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income rate assistance credits are available for eligible customers enrolled in SMUD's EAPR or PG&E's CARE programs.
Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
All standard refuse should be securely bagged and placed inside the cart so the lid completely closes. Do not place overflow bags on the ground.
Accepted Items
- ✓Compostable bioplastics (cups, utensils)
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Treated or painted wood
- ✓Broken ceramics and glassware
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be placed loose in the cart and should be completely empty and wiped or scraped clean of food debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Empty glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers, jugs, and bottles
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam packing materials
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, clothes hangers)
Green Bin (Yard Waste)
Place all organic matter directly into the cart. Do not use standard plastic bags or bioplastic liners. Keep the cart lid closed to prevent pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Branches and shrub trimmings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Coffee grounds and paper filters
- ✓100% fiber-based, food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free scheduled pickup per 12-month period
Placement
Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled day. Keep the pile at least 6 feet away from mailboxes, cars, and fences, and ensure there is 14.5 feet of overhead clearance for the collection crane.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Major appliances (doors removed or taped closed)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors)
- ✓ Lumber and tree trimmings (max 4 inches wide, 5 feet long)
- ✓ Up to four tires (rims OK)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, rocks, and bricks
- ✕ Treated wood (fence posts, railroad ties)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint, oil)
- ✕ Commercial business waste
- ✕ Glass panes or mirrors
If you require an additional pickup before your 12-month period resets, you can schedule one for a nominal fee by contacting DWMR customer service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Sacramento County DWMR maintains regular collection schedules on most minor federal holidays. However, if a major holiday like Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a weekday, curbside service is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
All three carts (gray, blue, and green) follow the exact same holiday delay schedule.
If a major holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is generally no disruption to the weekday collection schedule. Always check the SacGreenTeam app to confirm.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
March - OctoberSacramento County DWMR offers a free self-serve compost program during the warmer months for curbside customers. You can pick up nutrient-rich compost made from the community's green carts for your home landscaping projects. Bring your own shovel and bags.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf drop season, ensure all yard waste is placed completely inside your green cart. Do not pile loose leaves or yard debris in the street or gutter unless it is specifically instructed for your designated street sweeping day.
Winter
December - JanuaryClean, natural holiday trees can be disposed of in your green organics cart, provided they are cut into smaller pieces so the lid can close completely. All flocking, tinsel, lights, and stands must be removed first.
Local Tips & Community Info
Curbside Trash Pickup & Service Schedule in North Highlands
Residents of North Highlands, California, receive dependable weekly garbage collection managed primarily by Sacramento County Waste Management and authorized local haulers like Republic Services. Your standard trash pickup happens once a week on your designated neighborhood collection day. To ensure your bins are emptied without a hitch, it is crucial to wheel your carts out to the curb no later than 6:00 AM on your scheduled morning. Early placement helps drivers maintain efficient routes throughout the community and prevents you from missing the truck. If you are unsure of your exact pickup day, you can quickly look it up using the Sacramento County online collection calendar by entering your North Highlands home address.
Recycling & Organics Collection Guidelines
Keeping North Highlands clean and green requires everyone to sort their waste properly. In addition to regular garbage, households are provided with a blue cart for recyclables and a green cart for organics. Recycling is typically picked up every other week, while your green organics bin—which now accepts food scraps, yard trimmings, and food-soiled paper—is collected weekly to comply with California state composting mandates. Please make sure that items like cardboard boxes are broken down before going into the blue bin, and never bag your recyclables in plastic. Doing your part helps divert tons of reusable materials away from local landfills.
Bulk Waste Disposal & The North Area Recovery Station
When you have items that are simply too large to fit in your standard household carts, North Highlands residents have excellent local options. The North Area Recovery Station (NARS), conveniently located right in North Highlands at 4450 Roseville Road, is the perfect drop-off point for excess household junk, appliances, and renovation debris. Additionally, eligible Sacramento County residential customers are typically entitled to schedule a free bulky waste pickup appointment once a year for items like old mattresses, broken furniture, and large appliances. Scheduling this service ahead of time prevents neighborhood blight and keeps our streets looking beautiful.
Holiday Schedule Delays & Bin Placement Rules
Holidays can occasionally interrupt your normal waste collection routine. In North Highlands, trash, recycling, and green waste services will experience a one-day delay following major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. If your regular day is Thursday and a holiday falls on Thursday, expect your pickup to shift to Friday. Furthermore, proper bin placement is key to a smooth collection. Automated trucks need clearance, so position your carts side-by-side with at least three feet of space between them. Keep bins away from parked cars, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches to ensure the mechanical arms can reach them safely.
How to Report Missed Pickups and Request Support
Even the best systems occasionally experience a hiccup. If your bins were out by 6:00 AM but the trucks completely missed your street, you have a brief window to report the issue. North Highlands residents can report a missed collection by calling the local 311 customer service line or submitting an electronic ticket through the Sacramento County services portal. Usually, haulers will dispatch a recovery truck the following business day to collect your missed waste. If your cart is damaged, cracked, or has a broken lid, you can also use these same customer service channels to request a free replacement bin delivered right to your property.
Drop-off Facilities
North Area Recovery Station (NARS) & HHW Facility
4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands, CA 95660
Materials Accepted
Kiefer Landfill & Special Waste Facility
12701 Kiefer Boulevard, Sloughhouse, CA 95683
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I safely dispose of old paint and batteries in North Highlands?
You can drop them off completely free of charge at the North Area Recovery Station (NARS) Household Hazardous Waste facility, located locally at 4450 Roseville Road. You must never place hazardous chemicals or batteries in any of your curbside carts.
Are we allowed to use compostable bags for our food scraps?
No. Sacramento County requires you to keep all plastics, including 'compostable' or 'plant-based' bio-plastics, out of the green organics cart. Food scraps should be placed loose in the cart or wrapped in 100% fiber-based paper like an old newspaper or paper bag.
How do I schedule my free annual bulky waste pickup?
Residential customers receive one free bulky item pickup per 12-month period for up to 5 cubic yards of waste. You can schedule your appointment by calling DWMR at (916) 875-5555 or by using the free SacGreenTeam mobile app.
Will my trash service be delayed on federal holidays?
Sacramento County DWMR maintains its regular collection schedule on most minor federal holidays. You will typically only see one-day service delays during the weeks of major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. It is always best to check the SacGreenTeam app to verify your exact schedule.