Brown or Black Bin (Trash)
All waste must be contained within the cart with the lid completely closed. Carts must be placed on the street by 6:00 AM on collection day, positioned 3 feet apart and 6 feet from parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Bagged animal waste
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Heavily soiled paper
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Treated wood
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables are collected every other week. Items must be kept loose; do not bag your recyclables. Clean all food residue from containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard (can also be placed next to the cart)
- ✓Clean paper and junk mail
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean rigid plastics
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard clippings
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Organics are collected weekly. Food waste may be placed in compostable bags, but do not use standard plastic bags. Up to 4 additional 30-gallon bags of leaves may be placed next to the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps and plate scrapings
- ✓Yard trimmings and grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and branches
- ✓Food-soiled paper
- ✓Coffee grounds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
3 free pickups per calendar year
Placement
Do not place items out without an appointment. Schedule via the Atlas Disposal app or by calling (916) 288-2800. Place materials neatly on the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, mattresses, chairs)
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Large tree branches and storm debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint)
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, rocks, or asphalt
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Automotive parts
The first 3 collections (up to 10 cubic yards each) are free for residential customers. Additional collections or volumes exceeding the limit will incur fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, there is typically no disruption to the Monday through Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Battery Preparation is Mandatory
While batteries are accepted curbside, throwing them inside any cart causes dangerous fires. Lithium and 9V batteries must have their terminals taped, be placed in a sealed plastic bag (like Ziploc), and left on TOP of the blue recycling cart.
Keep Motor Oil Outside the Cart
Never dump motor oil inside your bins. It must be placed in a clear plastic jug with the lid securely taped shut, and set on the ground NEXT to your blue or green cart. Atlas Disposal can provide free oil jugs upon request.
No Plastic Bags in the Blue Cart
Recyclables must be loose. Plastic grocery bags or garbage bags jam the sorting facility's equipment. The only time bags are permitted is compostable bags for food waste inside the green cart, or 30-gallon leaf bags placed next to it.
Seasonal Information
Winter
November - DecemberTo handle heavy fall/winter foliage, residential street sweeping increases from once a month to twice a month during November and December. Remember to keep green waste in your green cart, not swept into the street gutters.
Winter
December - JanuaryHoliday trees are collected curbside. Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands. Flocked trees are generally treated as trash. Cut large trees into manageable sections if they exceed standard lengths.
About Rancho Cordova Waste Management
New 10-Year Partnership with Atlas Disposal
In January 2025, the City of Rancho Cordova officially transitioned its residential waste and street sweeping services to Atlas Disposal under a new 10-year agreement. While residents still utilize the familiar three-cart system—brown/black for trash, blue for recycling, and green for organics—this local partnership introduces enhanced customer service, GPS-tracked street sweeping, and a dedicated Atlas Disposal mobile app to manage schedules and bulky item requests seamlessly.
Robust Curbside Special Waste Collection
Rancho Cordova makes it incredibly convenient to dispose of tricky items without ever driving to a hazardous waste center. Residents can recycle up to three gallons of used motor oil and properly bagged oil filters by placing them on the ground next to their blue or green carts. Furthermore, household batteries can be sealed in a Ziploc bag and placed directly on top of the blue recycling cart, while home-generated medical sharps can be collected at the curb strictly by pre-scheduled appointment.
Generous Bulk Pickup and Storm Debris Allowances
Under the current franchise agreement, single-family households are entitled to three free bulky item pickup appointments every calendar year. Each appointment boasts a generous limit of up to 10 cubic yards of material. This program is exceptionally helpful for property cleanouts, furniture disposal, and especially for removing large tree branches and localized storm debris following heavy Sacramento Valley winter weather.
Free Compost and Extra Leaf Collection
To support local gardening and manage seasonal yard waste, Atlas Disposal provides up to three cubic yards of free, high-quality compost per residence annually at their White Rock Road facility. Additionally, during heavy foliage drops, residents can place up to four extra 30-gallon bags strictly containing leaves next to their green organics cart on collection day at no additional charge.
Drop-off Facilities
Atlas Disposal Compost Pickup Facility
11361 White Rock Road, Rancho Cordova, CA
Materials Accepted
Kiefer Landfill & Special Waste Facility
12701 Kiefer Blvd, Sloughhouse, CA 95683
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova residents receive three free bulky item appointments per year (up to 10 cubic yards each). You can schedule a pickup by calling Atlas Disposal at (916) 288-2800 or by using the official Atlas Disposal smartphone app.
What are the rules for disposing of used motor oil at the curb?
You can recycle a maximum of three gallons of used motor oil per pickup. Place the oil in a clear plastic jug with the lid securely taped shut, and set it on the ground next to your blue or green cart. Do not place oil inside the carts.
Can I leave extra bags of leaves outside my green cart?
Yes. Atlas Disposal allows residents to place up to four extra 30-gallon bags filled strictly with leaves next to their green organics cart on their regular weekly collection day at no additional charge.
Where can Rancho Cordova residents get free compost?
Residents can receive up to three cubic yards of free compost per year. Bring proof of residency (like a driver's license or utility bill) to the Atlas Disposal facility at 11361 White Rock Road, Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM and 1:30 PM.