Frequently Asked Questions

Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. Collecting used bottles, cans, and newspapers and taking them to the curb or to a collection facility is just the first in a series of steps that generates a host of financial, environmental, and social returns. Some of these benefits affect us and our environment on a local and global level.

Your Recycles are picked up on the same day as your garbage and green waste. To find your recycle and trash days, please click or call (209)895-8068

Aerosol Cans (empty) Aluminum: cans, beverage and food containers, foil (clean), and pie pans Books: hardbound, paperback and text books Bottles: narrow-neck bottles used for food liquids, soap, soda or water - (lightly clean if heavily soiled) Cardboard and paperboard boxes corrugated boxes, egg containers, food boxes (including cereal boxes), frozen food packaging, mailing boxes, and oversized boxes Cartons (waxed): used for a liquid such as juices, milk or soups Glass containers such as bottles and jars (please rinse) Juice Boxes (clean) Mail: envelopes with plastic windows Metal: beverage and food containers Paper (all colors and types): catalogs, folders, junk mail, magazines, mixed paper, newsprint (all types), non-metallic wrapping paper, office papers, printer paper, school papers and shredded paper Plastic: bottles and jars with symbols #1 through #7 (narrow neck and screw top – lightly clean if heavily soiled) -e.g., detergent/bleach bottles, juice bottles, milk jugs, soda bottles, water bottles. Containers with symbols #1 through #7 (wide-mouthed – lightly clean if heavily soiled) -e.g., cottage cheese, margarine, mayonnaise, sour cream and yogurt (caps and labels o.k.). Drinking cups and prescription bottles, including lids and caps. Steel: beverage containers and food (scrap metal is not accepted for curbside Recycle Pick-up, but may be recycled at our Tin: cans and foil

Plastic bags of any color, size, or shape will no longer be accepted. The Recycling Processing Facility uses an automated system to sort and bale the recyclables. Plastic bags jam the automated machinery. Most jurisdictions that have gone to a single stream recycling system which allows all mixed recyclables to be recycled together, no longer accept plastic bags. Residents can take their plastic bags to some grocery stores. You are encouraged to ask for paper bags during shopping or opt for the cloth/mesh reusable bags. The first step in recycling is to reduce, so changing the type of bag used during shopping is a huge help to the environment.

Yes – Citizens are advised to place all recyclable materials in Blue Totes marked RECYCLE ONLY.

Set out recycling items by 6 a.m. for collection. Every section of the City has a different collection day/schedule. You can find your Recycle and Trash days by clicking here. If your collection day falls on a holiday, please hold your recycling items until the make-up collection day. You do NOT need a City issued recycle bin to recycle.

You can get another Blue Recycling Bin by calling (209) 895-8040

If you are interested in scheduling a tour at the Waste To Energy Facility (WTE) or the Fink Road Landfill, please see contact information below. Covanta Stanislaus Inc. (WTE) 4040 Fink Road P.O.Box 278 Crows Landing, CA 95313 (Must be at least 18 years of age to tour this facility) Contact: Matt Barnes (209) 534-3287 Stanislaus County Landfill Division 4000 Fink Road P.O.Box 86 Crows Landing, CA 95313 (Must be at least 18 years of age to tour this facility) Contact: George Angusich (209) 837-4800 .

Rigid Plastics Include: Milk and soda crates, buckets, laundry baskets, lawn furniture, totes, plastic drums, coolers, flower pots, water bottles, pallets, pet carriers, shelving, closet organizers, empty garbage/recycling bins

Some unacceptable recycling materials are: Carry out or deli food containers Cat litter Chemicals Cookware and plates (plastic) Containers of toxic substances -e.g., bottles, cans motor oil, pesticides, etc. Contaminated paper products -e.g., napkins, paper towels, waxed paper, paper plates & tissue Contaminated plastic products -e.g., plates, utensils, cookware, to-go cartons Dry cleaning bags Food Waste Furniture of any kind Glass (window and mirror) Paint and paint cans Plastic bags including grocery and newspaper covers Utensils (plastic) Waxed paper Styrofoam

If you have old clothing, please consider “reuse” by selling these yourself or donating usable clothing (without tears, holes, burns, etc.) to charity groups (Goodwill Industries , Salvation Army (External Link), Deseret Industries, etc.). Damaged items, including fabric scraps, cannot be resold by these organizations. It takes valuable time and effort away from their good work to separate these from the usable items. If you have such damaged fabrics simply place them in with you regular trash and they will be incinerated at the waste-to-energy facility.

YES. City offers electronic recycling twice a year in partnership with Tri-Valley Recycling. For the location and hours of operation and a list of acceptable materials, please click. Only Tri-Valley Recycling can accept electronic materials.

We accept Fire Extinguishers on our Household Hazardous Waste collection days

We strongly urge residents to recycle CFL bulbs at our Household Hazardous Waste events.

Use completely, or give away to someone who can use it. Otherwise, air dry unwanted paint in the can and mix with kitty litter. Dispose of dried paint in the garbage. Alternative - Use whitewash for fences, barns, and outbuildings. Use new, low volatility paints.

Use up, or give to someone who can use it. Otherwise, store for a household hazardous waste drop-off event. Another alternative is using latex or water-based paint instead of oil based paint.

The time in which we live and our everyday social habits require the use of many types of batteries. If you are interested in recycling your old batteries, please consider take-back programs at retail store outlets like (Home Depot, Lowes, Circuit City, Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Cell Phone Retail Stores). Preferably, at point-of-purchase, please inquire about the stores’ possible recycling options. Batteries can also be set aside and taken to a Household Hazardous Waste drop off event.

There are free drop off places for used motor oil to City residents Monday – Saturday at O'Rilley's and Auto Zone Auto Parts.