Fresno Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Bulk 2026
Find your Fresno collection day, recycling rules, Operation Clean Up date, and holiday schedule for 2026.
City of Fresno · Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) · Updated April 2026
Find Your Fresno Collection Day
Your collection day depends on your address. Use the lookup tool or select your day below to see your full weekly schedule — trash, recycling, organics, and holiday impacts.
👈 Select your day above to see your complete Fresno collection schedule.
⚠ Don’t know your day yet? Use the Operation Clean Up Lookup Tool (requires your City utility account number), call 3-1-1 within City limits or (559) 621-2489, or use the FresGO 311 app. See all contact options ↓
Fresno Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The City of Fresno’s Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) serves approximately 119,000 residential accounts through 256 weekly routes within the city limits. SWMD serves single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. All three carts are collected on the same weekday, weekly.
Fresno’s Three Carts — What Goes Where
Every SWMD-served home receives three color-coded carts, all collected on the same weekday, every week. Unlike many California cities, Fresno collects recycling weekly (not biweekly). Organics sorting is mandatory under California SB 1383.
Blue Cart — Recycling
Paper, cardboard, cans, glass, plastic bottles/containers #1–5. Clean, empty, and loose. Every week.
Weekly • FreeGreen Cart — Organics
Yard trimmings, food scraps, food-soiled paper. No plastic bags. Required by SB 1383. Weekly.
Weekly • MandatoryGray Cart — Garbage
Non-recyclable, non-organic waste: plastic bags, Styrofoam (#6), diapers, pet waste, “compostable” plastics.
Weekly • Rate-based⏰ Set-Out Rules
- Carts may be placed out after 6:00 p.m. the evening before your collection day.
- All carts must be at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on collection day. Collection runs 5:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Space carts 3–4 feet apart so automated trucks can empty each one.
- Cart handle must face toward your house (away from the street).
- Lids must be fully closed. Overfilled carts may not be collected.
- Keep carts clear of vehicles, mailboxes, basketball hoops, and all obstacles.
- Bring carts back in and out of view by 8:00 p.m. on collection day. Leaving carts out beyond approved hours is subject to fines (Fresno Municipal Code 6-205(10)).
Fresno Holiday Trash Collection Schedule 2026
SWMD observes four holidays that cause collection delays. All other major holidays are fully normal service days. When a holiday falls on a weekday, collection for that day shifts to the next day, and any remaining days that week shift accordingly.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Impact | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | 1-Day Delay | Thu → Fri | Fri → Sat | Mon–Wed: normal |
| MLK Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Normal | SWMD works. All carts collected as usual. |
| Presidents’ Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Normal | SWMD works. No delay. |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Normal | SWMD works. No delay. |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | Normal | Falls on Saturday — no weekday impact. |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Normal | SWMD works. No delay. |
| Veterans’ Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Normal | SWMD works. No delay. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | 1-Day Delay | Thu → Fri | Fri → Sat | Mon–Wed: normal |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Fri, Nov 27 | Part of delay | Fri already delayed by Thu holiday → Sat |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | 1-Day Delay | Fri → Sat | Mon–Thu: normal that week |
Fresno Recycling — What Goes in the Blue Cart
Fresno uses single-stream recycling in the blue cart, collected every week on the same day as your trash. All items must be clean, empty, and placed loose (not in plastic bags). Fresno accepts plastics #1 through #5 — but not #6 (Styrofoam). Used motor oil and oil filters can be picked up at the curb in free program containers — call (559) 621-6888 to request them.
✅ Accepted in the Blue Cart
- Paper: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, paper bags
- Cardboard — flattened
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Glass bottles and jars — rinsed
- Rigid plastic bottles, jugs, tubs #1–5 — rinsed
- Cartons: milk, juice, broth
- Empty, completely dried paint cans (lids off)
- Used motor oil & filters (in free City program containers only)
🚫 Never in the Blue Cart
- Plastic bags or film → grocery store drop-off
- Styrofoam (#6) / polystyrene → gray cart
- Food or food-soiled items → green organics cart
- Electronics or batteries → HHW facility
- Diapers, clothing, shoes → gray cart or donate
- Paper with adhesive, glitter, or food waste
- “Compostable” plastics → gray trash cart
- Toilet paper and facial tissue
Fresno Organics Collection — Required by California Law
California SB 1383 and City of Fresno requirements mandate that all residents separate organic materials from trash. Place food scraps directly in the green cart — store them in a small container in your kitchen or freezer first if needed. Collected organics are composted and may be returned as mulch through the City’s free mulch program.
✅ Accepted in the Green Cart
- All food scraps: fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, shellfish
- Bread, grains, pasta, rice
- Dairy, eggs, and eggshells
- Food-soiled paper: napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes, paper plates
- Yard trimmings: grass clippings, tree leaves, brush
- Wood and prunings (under 4 inches diameter, cut to 3-foot lengths, lid must close)
- Untreated/unpainted wood
- Houseplants and cut flowers
🚫 Not in the Green Cart
- Plastic bags — even “compostable” or “biodegradable” ones
- “Compostable” plastics → gray trash cart
- Pet waste or cat litter → gray cart
- Cacti, succulents, or yucca → gray cart
- Palm fronds → gray cart
- Soil, rocks, sand, concrete, dirt
- Treated or painted wood → gray cart
- Tree stumps or major tree removal debris
🌿 Free Mulch & Compost for Fresno Residents
SWMD processes collected green waste into mulch and compost. The City hosts Free Dump Days at the Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station (CARTS) throughout the year where residents can also pick up free mulch. Check fresno.gov for current event dates.
🎄 Christmas Tree Collection
Place your Christmas tree next to the green cart starting with your first collection day after December 25. Strip all decorations, lights, tinsel, and stands completely. Trees over 6 feet should be cut in half. Flocked trees (with snow-spray) go in the gray trash cart, not the green cart.
Fresno Operation Clean Up — Annual Free Bulk Pickup
SWMD provides Operation Clean Up (OCU) — a free annual curbside bulk item pickup for all SWMD-served residential customers. Each household receives one scheduled OCU collection per year. The limit is 10 cubic yards (approximately two pickup truck beds filled to the top of the cab), separated into two piles.
📅 How to Find & Prepare for Your OCU Pickup
- Look up your OCU date using the Operation Clean Up Schedule Lookup Tool (requires City utility account number) or call 3-1-1 / (559) 621-2489.
- Separate materials into two piles: (1) Yard Clipping Pile — tree limbs, lumber, grass clippings, leaves, brush only; (2) Trash Pile — all other accepted debris.
- Place piles curbside in the same location as your regular trash, 1–2 feet from the curb. No alley service for OCU. Set out no more than 7 days before your scheduled date.
- Items must be out by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled OCU day. Allow all day for collection. Crews may work ahead or run late — they will return on your scheduled day.
- Cut tree prunings, lumber, and pipe to 4-foot lengths. Limit concrete/rock/brick/dirt to 2 wheelbarrow loads combined. Tape glass doors and mirrors with duct tape.
✅ Accepted in Operation Clean Up
- Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames
- Mattresses and box springs
- Large appliances (fridge, washer, dryer)
- Carpeting and rugs
- Cabinets (disassembled into components)
- Boxes and cardboard (also fits in blue recycling cart)
- Glass/sliding glass doors (tape with duct tape first)
- Trees, shrubs, yard debris (cut to 4-foot lengths)
- Limited concrete, rock, brick, or dirt (2 wheelbarrow loads max)
🚫 Not Accepted in Operation Clean Up
- Raw garbage → use gray cart
- Tree stumps or major tree removal debris
- Tires → call Code Enforcement (559) 621-8400
- Pesticides, chemicals, pool acid, propane → HHW facility
- Used motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid → Recycling Hotline (559) 621-1111
- 50-gallon drums
- Treated wood, railroad ties
- Broken TV screens or computer monitors
- Paint → PaintCare drop-off (855) 724-6809
- Batteries → library drop-off or HHW
- Construction/demolition debris → private roll-off bin
- Business-generated waste
Free Dump Days & Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station
SWMD hosts Free Dump Days on six weekends per year at the Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station (CARTS). This is a great option for items that don’t fit in your regular carts and can’t wait for your OCU date.
🚩 CARTS Facility
3457 S. Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93725
Mon–Fri for drop-offs at CARTS facility
📅 Spring 2026 Free Dump Days
March 21 & 22 • 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
May 2 & 3 • 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
June 6 & 7 • 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
📝 Free Dump Day Requirements
- Service is limited to Fresno residents who pay for City of Fresno solid waste collection services.
- Customers must be present and provide a City of Fresno Utility Bill or a Proof of Eligibility Form, plus a State-issued ID.
- Limit: one full-size pickup truck payload per household (approximately 8’×4’×4’). Bulky items can also be delivered in small trailers within the allowable limit.
- Participants who bring unpermitted items may be liable for penalties under civil and/or criminal codes.
- Shredding service is also available at these events: bring up to three banker boxes of personal documents (paper only — no binders, clips, or plastics).
Fresno Hazardous Waste & Electronics Disposal
Household hazardous waste (HHW) must never be placed in any of the three carts. Fresno residents use the Fresno County Environmental Compliance Center (ECC) for free HHW drop-off. The City’s Recycling Hotline at (559) 621-1111 can direct you to additional resources.
🚩 Environmental Compliance Center (ECC)
1327 West Dan Ronquillo Drive, Fresno, CA 93706
(Corner of West Avenue and Dan Ronquillo Drive)
Thu–Sat • 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (except holidays)
Free for residents. Limit: 125 lbs or 15 gallons per visit/vehicle. Bring proof of Fresno residency.
♿ Curbside Used Oil & Filter Pickup
Free curbside pickup of used motor oil and oil filters is available for SWMD single-family residential customers. Limit: 2 gallons per week.
Call (559) 621-6888 to request free program containers. Place next to your carts on collection day.
✅ Accepted at the ECC / HHW Facility
- Paint: latex and oil-based
- Household chemicals, solvents, pesticides
- Pool chemicals, chlorine, acid
- Motor oil, antifreeze, automotive fluids (also via curbside program)
- Fluorescent and CFL bulbs
- Batteries (all types) — also at local libraries
- Electronics: TVs, computers, phones, printers
- Sharps (in puncture-proof labeled container)
- Medications — also at secure 24-hr kiosks near police/fire stations
- Aerosol cans (partially used)
🚫 Not Accepted at HHW Facilities
- Explosives, ammunition, weapons
- Radioactive materials
- Tires → call Code Enforcement (559) 621-8400
- Commercial or business waste
- Regular household trash or large appliances
Multi-Family Buildings — Is Your Building Served by SWMD?
If you live in an apartment building with 5 or more units, or in a commercial property, your trash and recycling is collected by a private waste hauler, not SWMD. SWMD only serves homes up to fourplexes.
🚚 How to Tell Which Service You Have
- If you have a gray, green, or blue cart with the City of Fresno logo, you receive SWMD service.
- If your building uses a shared dumpster or bin, your service is through a private hauler. Contact your building manager for collection days and recycling options.
- Not sure? Call 3-1-1 or use FresGO 311 to confirm.
- Under SB 1383 and City requirements, all multi-family buildings must provide trash, recycling, and organics containers to residents.
What to Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected in Fresno
- Wait until after 6:30 p.m. on your collection day. Due to staffing conditions, collection may run later than usual. Do not report a missed pickup before 6:30 p.m.
- Check for a holiday delay. New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day cause 1-day delays. All other major holidays (MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day) are fully normal service days.
- Verify cart placement: out by 5:30 a.m., lids closed, handles facing the house, 3–4 feet between carts, clear of all obstacles.
- Check for a contamination notice. If prohibited items were in your cart, SWMD may have left a tag instead of collecting. Remove offending items before the next service day.
- Report the missed pickup by calling (559) 621-6888 after 6:30 p.m. and leaving a voicemail, or submit through the FresGO 311 app. Account validation is required (information from your utility bill). A service request will be generated and your location serviced within 1–3 business days.
- Note the Skip Fee rule: If your carts were not out on time and you report a missed service, a $25.60 fee applies on the 3rd incident and each incident thereafter per fiscal year (July–June). The first two incidents carry no charge.
Fresno Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Fresno or Just Moved In?
Call 3-1-1 or use FresGO 311 to confirm your collection day, verify your property is SWMD-served (not a private hauler), and request missing carts. Three carts (gray, green, blue) should already be at your address — if missing, call (559) 621-6888. Look up your annual Operation Clean Up date at the online lookup tool or by calling 3-1-1 (have your utility account number ready).
🚫 5 Common Mistakes Fresno Residents Make
- Thinking recycling is every other week — in Fresno, recycling is weekly
- Setting carts out too late — they must be at the curb by 5:30 a.m., not 6 or 7 a.m.
- Leaving carts out after 8 p.m. — this is subject to fines under City ordinance
- Putting “compostable” plastic bags in the green cart — they go in the gray cart
- Missing the OCU window by putting debris out more than 7 days early — this risks a citation
☕ Backyard Composting Option
Backyard composting is encouraged for food scraps and yard waste. Leaves, grass clippings, fruit, vegetables, and small twigs decompose into excellent soil conditioner. For more information on backyard composting and grasscycling, call the Recycling Hotline at (559) 621-1111 or visit fresno.gov/for-the-future.
⛨ Special Assistance for Disabilities or Medical Conditions
SWMD offers a free Special Handling service for single-family residential customers who are unable to bring their carts to the curb due to a disability or medical condition, and have no one in the home to assist. Drivers roll carts out, service them, and return them. Requires a completed application and physician documentation. Call (559) 621-6888 to request an application form.
Contact SWMD & City of Fresno Waste Services
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| SWMD Customer Service | 📞 (559) 621-6888 — Missed pickups, cart requests, special handling, skip fee inquiries, used oil container requests |
| 3-1-1 / FresGO | Dial 3-1-1 within City limits • (559) 621-2489 from outside • FresGO 311 App & Portal — collection day lookup, missed pickup reports, service requests |
| Recycling Hotline | 📞 (559) 621-1111 — Recycling questions, what goes where, used oil disposal, HHW options, resource referrals |
| City of Fresno Website | fresno.gov/publicutilities/trash-disposal-recycling — Service calendars, holiday schedule, OCU schedule, rate information |
| OCU Lookup Tool | appdev.fresno.gov/cleanup — Find your annual Operation Clean Up date (utility account number required) |
| HHW / ECC Facility | 1327 W. Dan Ronquillo Drive, Fresno • Thu–Sat 9 a.m.–3 p.m. • (559) 600-4259 • cleanupfresnocounty.com |
| CARTS Facility & Free Dump Days | 3457 S. Cedar Ave, Fresno • Mon–Fri • Spring 2026 Free Dump Weekends: Mar 21–22, May 2–3, Jun 6–7 |
Frequently Asked Questions — Fresno Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
If the Collection Day Finder at the top of this page hasn’t resolved your question, use the official City of Fresno resources below. The FresGO 311 portal and app are the most complete sources for address-based schedule information, Operation Clean Up dates, and service verification.
🔍 Official Fresno Lookup & Contact Options
All of the following are free and will confirm your exact schedule and service type:
🔍 Open FresGO 311 Portal 📞 Call (559) 621-2489| FresGO 311 Web & App | FresGO 311 Portal — collection day lookup, missed pickup reports, service requests, OCU date lookup. Free iOS & Android app available. |
| Dial 3-1-1 | Within City of Fresno limits. Or call (559) 621-2489 from outside the city. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. for OCU schedule lookup; 24-hour voicemail available via (559) 621-6888. |
| SWMD Customer Service | (559) 621-6888 — Missed pickups (after 6:30 p.m.), cart requests, special handling, skip fee inquiries, used oil containers. |
| OCU Lookup Tool | appdev.fresno.gov/cleanup — Find your annual Operation Clean Up date. Requires City utility account number. |
| Fresno.gov | fresno.gov/publicutilities/trash-disposal-recycling — Holiday schedule, service calendars, rates, Free Dump Day dates. |
| Recycling Hotline | (559) 621-1111 — What goes where, HHW options, recycling resources, used oil disposal. |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above. The City of Fresno’s FresGO 311 portal is the most complete source for address-based schedule information.
Trash & Recycling Schedules for Other US Cities
Looking for waste collection information in another city? Here are cities we’ve already covered with full schedules, recycling rules, and bulk pickup guides: