Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sacramento
Trash Day
Garbage collection is provided weekly, Monday through Friday, according to your designated neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your scheduled pickup day (alternating between Week A and Week B schedules).
Yard Waste
Organics and yard waste (green cart) are collected weekly on your regular garbage collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste services are conveniently billed alongside water and sewer charges on your monthly City of Sacramento Department of Utilities statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The City provides the Utility Rate Assistance Program (URAP), offering monthly discounts on water, sewer, and solid waste charges for eligible low-income households.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be securely bagged before being placed in the gray cart. The cart lid must be completely closed, and the cart should weigh no more than 200 pounds to prevent damage to the collection trucks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be placed loosely into the blue cart, empty, and reasonably clean. Break down cardboard boxes to prevent trapped air and save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard (cereal boxes, shipping boxes)
- ✓Empty plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags and film wrap
- ✕Food-soiled paper or greasy cardboard
- ✕Tanglers (garden hoses, Christmas lights, wire hangers)
- ✕Clothing, textiles, or shoes
Yard Waste Bin
Organic waste must be placed directly into the green cart. Do not use plastic bags or 'compostable' bio-plastics, as they disrupt the commercial composting process. Keep materials loose.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, weeds, and leaves
- ✓Tree and shrub prunings (under 3 feet long and 4 inches diameter)
- ✓Kitchen food waste (meat, dairy, bones, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free appointments per calendar year (February through October)
Placement
Place items on the street at the curb, 6 feet away from parked cars. Do not place items on the sidewalk, in the driveway, or in alleys unless specifically instructed by the city.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Miscellaneous bulky household items
- ✓ Tree branches under six feet in length
- ✓ Untreated wood and disassembled fencing
- ✓ Up to four tires (separated from rims)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances and e-waste (require a separate appointment)
- ✕ Treated wood (decking, fence posts)
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, rock, or sod
- ✕ Household hazardous waste, liquid paint, or motor oil
The two junk appointments are free, as are two separate appliance/e-waste appointments. Piles exceeding the size limit, early set-outs, or cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice may result in fines or loss of the appointment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Sacramento observes no holiday collection delays. Service continues as normal on all federal, state, and local holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling are collected normally on holidays, exactly like the garbage collection schedule.
While curbside collection never stops, customer service phone lines (311) and physical transfer stations may have modified hours or closures on major holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
November - JanuaryDuring Leaf Season, residents can place yard waste piles in the street for collection by 'The Claw'. Piles should not block bike lanes or storm drains, and must not contain any food scraps or trash.
Spring/Summer
February - OctoberThe free Household Junk Pickup program only runs from February through the end of October. Appointments fill up extremely fast by late summer, so residents are encouraged to book their slots in the spring.
Local Tips & Community Info
Capital City Curbside Container Guidelines
In California's capital, residential waste management falls under the jurisdiction of the municipal Solid Waste division. Homeowners are issued three specific bins to sort their daily refuse: a black container for standard garbage, a blue receptacle for mixed recycling, and a green cart designated for organic waste, which includes food scraps and yard trimmings. To ensure your address is serviced without interruption, all containers must be wheeled out to the street by 6:00 a.m. on your assigned pickup morning. The city mandates a minimum three-foot gap between each bin. Furthermore, residents must be careful not to block designated bike lanes or park containers too close to fire hydrants and street-parked vehicles.
Maximizing the Household Junk Pickup Program
Sacramento provides an exceptional benefit to its utility customers by offering the Household Junk Pickup program. Every residential address paying for municipal garbage collection is entitled to two complimentary large-item pickups per calendar year. This service is ideal for disposing of heavy furniture, mattresses, broken electronics, and up to five cubic yards of general household clutter. Appointments must be booked in advance either through the Sac311 application or by calling the city directly. Keep in mind that hazardous materials, liquid paint, and commercial construction debris are strictly forbidden from these customized curbside collections.
Winter Leaf Season and The Claw
One of the most unique aspects of Sacramento's sanitation schedule is the seasonal leaf collection, affectionately known by locals as The Claw. Running roughly from November through late January, this service allows residents to rake fallen autumn leaves directly into the street. Specialized heavy machinery scoops up these loose piles to keep neighborhoods clean. During this period, you should never put your leaves in plastic bags. It is also vital to keep your leaf piles at least one foot away from the curb channel to ensure rainwater can flow freely into storm drains, preventing localized neighborhood flooding.
Uninterrupted Holiday Routes and Missed Collections
A common point of confusion for new residents is how holidays impact their trash schedule. The City of Sacramento operates on a continuous schedule, meaning sanitation crews work every single holiday throughout the year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. You should never delay putting your bins out, regardless of what federal holiday falls on your route day. If a truck bypasses your house entirely or only empties one of your carts, you have a brief 24-hour window to report the issue. The most efficient way to log a missed service ticket and request a recovery truck is by utilizing the Sac311 mobile app.
Drop-off Facilities
North Area Recovery Station (NARS) HHW
4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands, CA 95660
Materials Accepted
Kiefer Landfill & Special Waste Facility
12701 Kiefer Blvd, Sloughhouse, CA 95683
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What holidays delay trash pickup in Sacramento?
Unlike most cities, Sacramento does not delay residential trash collection for any holidays. Your garbage, recycling, and organics will be collected on your regular day, even if it falls on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, or New Year's Day.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or TV in Sacramento?
Appliances and e-waste are not allowed in standard household junk piles. However, residential customers can schedule up to two free appliance and e-waste pickup appointments per year by calling 311. Items must be placed at the end of your driveway, not in the street.
Can I put food waste in the street piles during Leaf Season?
No. While you can put yard trimmings and leaves in the street for 'The Claw' from November through January, all kitchen food scraps and food-soiled paper must remain strictly inside your green organics cart.
Can I use compostable bags for my food scraps?
The City of Sacramento prefers that you keep organic waste loose in the green bin, or line your kitchen pail with newspaper or paper bags. Bio-plastics and compostable bags are heavily discouraged as they interfere with the local composting facilities.