Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Vacaville
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected weekly on your scheduled trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your scheduled trash collection day (green organics cart).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential garbage and recycling services are billed directly by Recology Vacaville Solano rather than bundled with municipal water and sewer utilities.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounted rates are available for qualifying seniors (age 62+) and disabled residents. Downsizing to smaller 32-gallon carts also lowers service fees.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All standard waste must be bagged and fit inside the gray cart with the lid completely closed. Do not overpack the bin; it cannot exceed 200 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken ceramics and dishware
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose, clean, and dry. Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags. Household batteries can be placed in a sealed zip-top bag directly on top of the blue cart lid.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (empty)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Junk mail and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film wrap
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Keep all organics loose inside the green cart. Do not use plastic bags, even those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable', as they contaminate the compost.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree branches and pruning
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, produce)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
1 free curbside pickup and 1 free landfill pass per year
Placement
Once scheduled, place your approved bulky items at the curb next to your gray trash cart by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ 2 bulky items (furniture, appliances)
- ✓ Or 2 cubic yards of bagged household material
- ✓ Or 3 electronic waste items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and rocks
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
The first annual pickup of eligible items is free. Additional pickups or items beyond the limit will incur extra fees. You can also request a free annual landfill pass for up to 1,000 lbs.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular collection day falls on or after an observed holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day), your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The green organics cart follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard trash and recycling carts.
If a major holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays to the weekday residential curbside collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
NovemberRecology frequently partners with local charities for a 'Give Winter Garb a Second Chance' program. You can place clean, unwanted coats and blankets in a clear plastic bag marked 'Winter Garb' next to your bins on collection day to donate to families in need.
Winter (Post-Holiday)
December to JanuaryAfter the holidays, you can recycle bare, unflocked Christmas trees. Remove all lights, stands, and ornaments. Check the Recology calendar for the specific tree pickup weeks where you can leave them at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Refuse Services with Recology Vacaville Solano
The handling of residential garbage across Vacaville is proudly managed by Recology Vacaville Solano. This dedicated partnership ensures that single-family dwellings receive comprehensive weekly refuse, recycling, and yard trimmings collection. Emphasizing a path toward zero waste, the city equips homes with color-coded bins to streamline material separation. If you need to verify your designated pickup day, swap out a damaged container, or inquire about neighborhood routes, contacting the local Recology office directly is the fastest resolution.
Curbside Roll-Out and Spacing Rules
Proper cart positioning is vital to keep the automated mechanical arms on the collection trucks functioning smoothly. All containers must be placed in the gutter or along the street edge by 6:00 a.m. on your specific collection morning. Maintain a strict three-foot gap between each bin, and ensure they are at least three feet from any parked vehicles, utility poles, or mailboxes. The arrows on the cart lids should point toward the center of the street. Following collection, residents are required by municipal code to pull the bins out of public view by 8:00 p.m. that same evening.
Navigating the State Organics Law
Vacaville rigorously supports California's SB 1383 mandate, requiring all households to divert organic matter away from the landfill. Your green yard waste bin now serves a dual purpose: it is the mandatory destination for all kitchen food scraps, including cooked meats, bones, and soiled paper products like pizza boxes. The blue recycling cart remains the spot for clean, dry, and unbagged recyclables such as aluminum, glass, and cardboard. Only non-compostable and non-recyclable materials should enter the landfill-bound garbage cart.
Disposing of Oversized Household Items
When a standard cart cannot accommodate your waste, Recology offers specialized large-item services. Eligible Vacaville households can schedule up to two complimentary residential cleanups per year to dispose of bulky goods. This covers items such as old mattresses, broken furniture, and large appliances. To secure a pickup, property owners must call customer service in advance to be placed on the schedule. Hazardous materials, such as wet paint or automotive fluids, are strictly prohibited and must be taken to the local household hazardous waste facility.
Schedule Adjustments for Major Holidays
Recology observes a limited number of major holidays that interrupt standard operations, specifically New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When one of these recognized dates lands on a regular weekday, all subsequent collections for that week will slide forward by a single day. A standard Wednesday route will shift to Thursday, and Friday routes will conclude on Saturday. Operations return to their normal cadence on the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
Recology Vacaville Solano Recycling Center & HHW Facility
855 1/2 Davis Street, Vacaville, CA 95687
Materials Accepted
Recology Hay Road Landfill
6426 Hay Road, Vacaville, CA 95687
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away an old mattress or large furniture in Vacaville?
Vacaville residential customers get one free Residential Cleanup Program pickup per year, which covers up to 2 bulky items like mattresses or furniture. You must call Recology at (707) 448-2945 to schedule it. Alternatively, you can drop off up to 5 mattresses for free at the Recology Recycling Center on Davis Street.
Can I use compostable bags for my food waste in the green cart?
No. Vacaville's Jepson Prairie Organics facility cannot process bio-plastics or compostable bags. All food scraps, including meat and dairy, must be tossed into the green organics cart completely loose alongside your yard trimmings.
What is the rule for placing trash carts on the street?
Recology requires you to place all three carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Ensure the lids are fully closed, the handles are facing the street, and there is at least a three-foot gap between each bin, parked cars, and mailboxes.
How do I get my free annual landfill pass?
Every residential household in Vacaville is entitled to one free landfill pass each year, allowing you to dispose of up to 1,000 pounds of waste at the Recology Hay Road Landfill for free. You simply need to call Recology customer service to request the pass.