Black lid (or Green cart) Bin (Trash)
All trash should be bagged to prevent windblown litter. Do not overfill your container; the lid must close completely. Ensure the cart is at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
- ✓Plastic film and loose plastic bags
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Foam cups and containers
- ✓Broken ceramic dishes
Blue lid (or Dark Gray cart with Blue lid) Bin (Recycling)
Empty recyclables directly into the bin. Do not bag recyclables in plastic. Items must be relatively clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and paperboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food or liquids
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Foam containers
- ✕Clothing and textiles
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place organic materials directly into the green organics cart. To reduce odor, you may put food waste inside a paper bag or an ASTM-certified compostable bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Yard waste and grass clippings
- ✓Produce and vegetables
- ✓Meat, fish, and poultry
- ✓Dairy products
- ✓Bread, pasta, rice, and grains
- ✓Coffee grounds and tea bags
- ✓Food-soiled paper and coffee filters
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 3 free collections per year
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Pickups must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs)
- ✓ Appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tires
- ✓ Scrap wood and tree branches
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Machinery and industrial discards
- ✕ Oil, grease, or chemicals
- ✕ Cardboard boxes or bags of regular trash
- ✕ Dirt, sand, rocks, or logs
The first three bulky pickups per year are free. Additional pickups or items exceeding the volume limit can be scheduled for an extra fee through WM Customer Service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the rest of the week will be pushed back one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday). If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no delay.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash and recycling.
Always refer to the annual City of Ridgecrest Collection Schedule provided by WM for specific dates, as no other holidays affect the pickup routes.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag Your Food Waste, but Not Your Recycling
While Ridgecrest encourages residents to place food scraps into a paper bag or ASTM-certified compostable bag inside the green organics cart to reduce desert odors, recyclables in the blue cart must always remain loose. Never use plastic garbage bags for recycling.
Keep Foam and Film Out of the Blue Cart
Styrofoam containers, plastic grocery bags, and plastic wrap act as severe contaminants at the recycling facility. These items wrap around sorting equipment and must be placed directly into your black trash cart.
Pet Waste is Not Compostable
Although dog and cat waste might seem organic, it carries pathogens that ruin commercial compost. All pet waste and diapers must be securely bagged and placed in the black trash cart, or taken to the Soiled Waste Bin at the WM Yard.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryRidgecrest residents can recycle real, unflocked holiday trees at no extra cost during the first two service days following Christmas. Remove all tinsel, lights, and stands. Trees longer than six feet must be cut in half and placed near your green cart.
Summer
June - AugustThe intense summer heat in the Mojave Desert accelerates the decomposition of organic waste. To prevent odors and pests, consider freezing your meat and dairy scraps until collection day, and periodically wash out your green cart with a water and vinegar solution.
About Ridgecrest Waste Management
Embracing SB 1383: Ridgecrest's Three-Cart Waste System
The City of Ridgecrest, in partnership with Waste Management (WM), operates a mandatory three-cart collection system to comply with California's SB 1383 organic waste mandates. Residents are required to separate household refuse into a black-lid cart for standard trash, a blue-lid cart for recycling, and a green-lid cart strictly for organic waste and food scraps. Correct sorting helps divert methane-producing organics from the local Ridgecrest Sanitary Landfill.
Curbside Placement & Mojave Desert Winds
Proper cart placement is critical in the Indian Wells Valley, where high desert winds can easily scatter loose trash. Carts must be rolled to the street with wheels against the curb and handles facing the home by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Additionally, WM requires at least three feet of clearance between carts, parked cars, and mailboxes so automated trucks can safely lift the bins without obstruction. Ensure all lids are completely closed to prevent windblown litter.
Free Bulky Item Disposal Benefits
A major perk for Ridgecrest residential customers is the inclusion of up to three free bulky item collections per calendar year. Whether you are clearing out the garage or replacing old furniture, you can schedule a pickup for up to three cubic yards of material, or a single large appliance per request. Appointments must be made at least 48 hours in advance of your normal service day by contacting WM directly.
Kern County Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Desert landscaping chemicals, old paint, motor oil, and pool cleaners cannot be thrown into your standard curbside carts. Fortunately, residents can utilize the Ridgecrest Kern County Special Waste Facility located at 3301 W. Bowman Road near the landfill. This facility operates on the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., providing a safe and compliant way to dispose of dangerous household chemicals.
Drop-off Facilities
Ridgecrest Kern County Special Waste Facility
3301 W. Bowman Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 (at the Ridgecrest Landfill)
Materials Accepted
WM Community Recycling Bin & Soiled Waste Bin
237 County Line Rd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of an old mattress in Ridgecrest?
You can dispose of an old mattress by utilizing one of your three free annual bulky item pickups provided by WM. The mattress must be fully wrapped in plastic before placing it at the curb, and you must schedule the service at least 48 hours in advance.
Where can I drop off extra cardboard or excess recyclables?
Residents can utilize the WM Community Recycling Bin located at 237 County Line Road. It is accessible Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (please check in with the office) and outside the gates on weekends.
Can I put dog poop in the green organics bin?
No. While animal waste is organic, it is strictly prohibited from the green cart because it contains pathogens that disrupt the composting process. All pet waste and diapers must go into the black trash cart or the designated Soiled Waste Bin at the WM Yard.
Does Waste Management pick up trash on Thanksgiving in Ridgecrest?
No, Thanksgiving is one of the six holidays observed by WM. If your normal collection day falls on Thursday, your service will be delayed to Friday, and Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday for that week.