Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Shafter
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash, recycling, and organics collection fees for core Shafter residents are conveniently billed monthly on the City utility statement alongside water and wastewater services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In-Person
Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged before being placed in the trash cart to reduce odors. Ensure the lid can close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Treated wood
- ✓Broken ceramics and glassware
- ✓Chip bags and wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all approved recyclables loosely into the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables in plastic bags. Rinse food residue from containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕E-waste and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags, even those labeled as biodegradable. Organic waste must go directly into the green cart or be contained in BPI-certified compostable bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Small branches and prunings
- ✓Food waste (meat, dairy, produce, bones)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, coffee filters)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Periodic free county events, or by paid appointment
Placement
For scheduled curbside pickups, items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on the agreed-upon day, ensuring they do not block traffic or sidewalks.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances (water heaters, washers)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, paint)
- ✕ Construction and remodeling debris
- ✕ Business or commercial waste
- ✕ Green waste and regular household trash
While community drop-off events are free, scheduling a direct curbside pickup with American Refuse outside of these events will incur an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
American Refuse observes New Year's Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If these holidays fall on a weekday, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. If they fall on a weekend, there is no delay.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
American Refuse typically runs its standard collection routes on Memorial Day and Labor Day without any delays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, you can recycle your natural Christmas tree. Trees must be stripped of all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands. If the tree is taller than 6 feet, it must be cut in half before being placed in the green organics cart.
Summer
June - AugustKern County summers get exceptionally hot, which can cause food waste in your green cart to smell quickly. Minimize odors by freezing meat and dairy scraps in a container during the week, and dump them into the green cart the night before collection.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste and Recycling Services in Shafter
Solid waste and recycling collection in Shafter, California, is managed through a collaborative partnership between the city municipality and American Refuse. This core city service ensures that our Central Valley neighborhoods remain clean, sustainable, and strictly compliant with state environmental laws. By understanding the proper sorting guidelines for your black, blue, and green curbside carts, households can actively contribute to reducing landfill dependence and supporting local eco-friendly initiatives.
Regular Garbage and Recycling Collection Rules
For the majority of single-family residences, curbside collection is executed on a weekly basis. Your black cart is reserved exclusively for standard household trash, while the blue bin is dedicated to clean, dry recyclables such as broken-down cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. To guarantee your bins are serviced without issue, you must place them at the edge of the street by 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day. Make sure the lids are fully closed, and allow at least three feet of clearance around each container to accommodate the automated mechanical arms of the American Refuse collection trucks.
Mandatory Composting and SB 1383 Organics
In strict compliance with California’s Senate Bill 1383, all Shafter property owners and renters are required by law to separate organic waste from standard garbage. The green cart provided to your home is used for yard trimmings, grass clippings, and all types of food scraps, including meat, dairy, bones, and food-soiled paper products. Bagging organic waste in plastic is strictly prohibited, as it ruins the commercial composting process. Keeping these nutrient-rich materials out of the landfill significantly slashes greenhouse gas emissions.
Bulky Waste and Large Item Disposal Procedures
Are you trying to get rid of a broken refrigerator, an old mattress, or large furniture taking up space in the garage? Shafter residents do not need to haul these heavy items to the county dump themselves. American Refuse offers highly convenient bulky waste collection services for oversized household items that simply cannot fit into standard curbside carts. You can easily schedule a specialized bulky item pickup by calling their local dispatch office at 661-758-5316 or by booking an appointment through the official American Refuse mobile app.
Holiday Schedule Shifts and Mobile App Alerts
During major federally recognized holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, neighborhood garbage collection routes typically experience a one-day delay. If the holiday falls on a regular weekday, all subsequent pickup days for that specific week will be pushed back by exactly one day. To stay fully informed about holiday delays, report a missed pickup, or look up sorting instructions, locals are highly encouraged to download the 'American Refuse & Tule Trash' mobile application, which delivers personalized push notifications directly to your smartphone.
Drop-off Facilities
Shafter-Wasco Landfill
17621 Scofield Ave, Shafter, CA 93263
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash collection services in Shafter, CA?
American Refuse is the official solid waste and recycling service provider contracted for the City of Shafter. You can reach their customer service desk at 661-758-5316 for any routing or container concerns.
How do I dispose of old furniture and large appliances?
Residents can schedule a specialized bulky item pickup by contacting American Refuse directly via phone or by submitting a rapid request through their official smartphone app.
What items are allowed in my green organics cart?
Per SB 1383 regulations, your green cart must be used for all food scraps, yard debris, and food-soiled paper. Never place plastic bags, glass, or household hazardous materials in this particular bin.