Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Riverbank
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, according to your neighborhood street schedule.
Recycling
Collected weekly on your regular collection day alongside trash using the city's two-cart system.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular trash day in the gray/green cart, which accepts yard trimmings, organic food waste, and paper products.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential garbage service is contracted through Gilton Solid Waste and billed together with city water and sewer services every two months.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, In Person, Mail, Authorized Cash Payment Locations
Pro Tip / Discount
The city offers a Utility Rate Assistance Program and payment arrangements for qualifying low-income or financial hardship households.
Black Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed on the street in front of the home no later than 5:00 a.m. on collection day. Space carts 18 inches apart with lid openings facing the street. Lids must be closed completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans (in blue bags)
- ✓Glass bottles (in blue bags)
- ✓Plastic containers (in blue bags)
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Palm fronds
Blue Bags (placed inside the Black Can) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed in a tied blue plastic bag and then tossed into the Black garbage can. Do not place anything other than acceptable recyclables inside the blue bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum beverage cans
- ✓Bi-metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Paper and cardboard (these go in the Green can)
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put traditional plastic bags, dirt, rock, concrete, palm fronds, or animal waste in this bin. Food waste may be enclosed in a certified biodegradable bag before being placed in the Gray/Green can.
Accepted Items
- ✓Green materials and yard trimmings
- ✓Fiber (clean paper, newspaper, junk mail)
- ✓Cardboard boxes
- ✓Wood waste
- ✓Food scraps and food-soiled paper
- ✓Biodegradable bags (for food waste only)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 Bulky Item Pickups and 4 E-Waste Pickups Annually
Placement
Call Gilton to schedule. Place items in the street at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day. Do not block sidewalks or mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Refrigerators, washers, and dryers
- ✓ Couches, tables, and dressers
- ✓ Televisions and computer monitors (E-waste pickups)
- ✓ Water heaters and lawn mowers
- ✓ Mattresses and bed frames
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires and automobile parts
- ✕ Bags or boxes of general trash
- ✕ Construction debris (concrete, asphalt, sheet rock)
- ✕ Pressure-treated wood or railroad ties
- ✕ Hazardous materials
These designated pickups are provided at no additional charge as part of your residential utility service, but an advanced appointment is strictly required.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Gilton Solid Waste Management observes these five holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekday, residential pickup schedules are pushed back one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Because Riverbank uses split-compartment trucks that pick up both the Black and Gray/Green cans simultaneously, all waste streams follow the exact same holiday delay schedule.
Regular schedules resume the following week. If you have questions about your specific holiday schedule, contact Gilton directly at (209) 527-3781.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFor Christmas tree disposal, you can cut your un-flocked tree into small branches and fit it completely inside your Gray/Green can. Alternatively, Gilton typically offers a special two-week curbside tree pickup program in early January where whole trees (free of lights and stands) can be placed at the curb.
Fall
September - NovemberDuring heavy leaf-drop season, ensure all yard waste is placed entirely inside the Gray/Green can with the lid closed. Excess yard waste cannot be left in piles or standard plastic bags on the street.
Local Tips & Community Info
Complete Guide to Riverbank Trash & Recycling Services
Managing your household waste in the City of Riverbank is designed to be efficient and environmentally friendly. The city partners with Gilton Solid Waste Management, Inc. to provide weekly residential refuse collection. For the most dependable service, residents should ensure their bins are placed at the curb early, as Gilton's collection trucks operate strictly between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Being mindful of these hours ensures your neighborhood stays clean and you never miss your designated pickup day.
Understanding the Riverbank 2-Can Waste System
Unlike many municipalities that use three bins, Riverbank simplifies residential disposal with a unique two-can system. Your black can is meant for standard household garbage and traditional recyclables. To recycle properly, residents must co-mingle their recyclable materials into a designated blue bag and place it directly inside the black garbage can. The second container is the green organic waste can. This is used for enhanced yard trimmings, leaves, newspaper, junk mail, cardboard, and all vegetative food scraps. Sorting your waste properly into these two containers helps the city meet California's strict organic waste recycling mandates.
Bulky Waste, E-Waste, and Special Collections
Getting rid of old furniture, broken appliances, or outdated electronics requires special handling. Fortunately, Riverbank offers several convenient programs for its residents. You can utilize the Curbside Bulky Item Collection Program for oversized goods that won't fit inside your standard black can. Additionally, the city provides specialized curbside E-Waste and CRT (cathode ray tube) disposal programs to keep hazardous electronics out of the landfill. During the winter holidays, residents can also take advantage of the annual Christmas Tree Pick-up Program to responsibly recycle their trees.
Bin Placement Rules and Holiday Collection Delays
Proper cart placement is vital for the automated trucks to safely lift and empty your waste. Always place your cans in the street against the curb with the arrows pointing toward the road. A critical rule in Riverbank is that the lids of both the black and green cans must close completely to prevent litter and pest issues. During major national holidays, Gilton Solid Waste Management typically observes a one-day delay in collection services for the remainder of the week. Always leave a few feet of space between your carts and nearby parked cars, mailboxes, or utility poles.
Drop-off Facilities
Stanislaus County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
1710 Morgan Road, Modesto, CA 95358
Materials Accepted
Gilton Resource Recovery / Transfer Facility
800 S. McClure Road, Modesto, CA 95357
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put out my trash cans in Riverbank?
You should place your trash and organic waste carts at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, as Gilton Solid Waste trucks operate between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
How do I recycle using Riverbank's two-can system?
In Riverbank, you do not have a separate third bin for recycling. Instead, place all your clean recyclables inside a blue bag, tie it securely, and place that bag directly into your black garbage can.
What items can I put in my green organic waste can?
Your green can is designed for enhanced organic waste. This includes yard trimmings, garden waste, paper, cardboard, junk mail, and vegetative organic food scraps.