What type of container must be used?

The city provides each home with one city container, which is easily rolled to curbside on collection day. It is the only type container that the automated truck can service. The city assigns containers to the house. Do not take the container from the property when changing houses. Do not paint or deface the container; however, neatly stenciled house numbers are acceptable.

When do I place my container out for collection?

To assure pickup, all containers must be at curbside by 6:00 am on scheduled collection days. Truck operators WILL NOT come back for refuse put out after the truck has passed your house.

Where do I place my container for collection?

The preferred container location for collection is on the street with wheels toward the curb. Be sure the container is at least fifteen feet from parked vehicles, and five feet from each other. Lids must be closed for dumping.

What can I put in my container?

All common household trash and garbage are allowed in the container. Yard trimmings may be placed in the container. Cardboard boxes should be flattened to save space. In the interest of container cleanliness, we encourage you to use plastic bags for wet garbage and to hose out your container occasionally. Refuse must fall freely from the container when dumped.

What about parking on the street on collection days?

We ask that you refrain from parking along streets on collection day where vehicles may block access to a container. Generally, 15-foot clearance from isolated vehicles is adequate. Keep containers away from cars, boats and trailers to avoid risk of damage.

What will not be collected?

Items that must NOT be placed in the containers include: dirt or sod; rocks or concrete; toxic or flammable materials such as oil, gas, or paint; hot ashes; and debris from construction, remodeling, or demolition. To arrange for a dead animal pick up, please contact animal control at 599-2102.

What if my container is stolen or destroyed?

Subject to verification, the city will replace stolen containers, free from charge. We will replace all damage containers or repair, unless the customer by negligence or abuse causes damage. Your assistance in caring for the container will reduce our costs of operation.

What if my can was not emptied?

If a container is overfilled or not accessible, a tag will be left on the container, explaining the reasons and proper procedures. If they miss your service with no notification on your container, non service may be caused from a truck breakdown or truck operator errors, in which case, call 599-2108 by noon of the following day.

What do I do with my yard waste?

The city provides a voluntary yard waste program, supplying a "green" container for yard waste only. Yard waste includes all grass clippings, brush, and trimmings. Do not put plastic bags or potting containers in green containers. These items contaminate the yard waste and can cause everything to be land filled rather than composted. Green cans are only $2.00 per month.

If you are interested in participating in the yard waste program, please contact City Hall at (209)599-2108. By putting your yard-waste in green cans or in the street during the annual free pick-up rather than in your black garbage can, you are helping to reduce the tons of material taken to the land fill each year. 

Special pick-up

Any resident needing pick up of yard waste throughout the year, may place the brush on the street at curb sides. The cost of a brush pick up is a minimum charge of $40.00 per truck load (3 1/2 cubic yards).. Call Public Works at 599-2151 to schedule a pick up, or for more information. Green Cans
All grass clipping should be placed in the "green" container. If you do not have a green container, you may place grass clippings in your black refuse container; however, green cans for yard trimmings are only $2 per month.

Annual free pick-up

The city offers a free pick up providing disposal of leaves, trimmings and Christmas trees from October 15 through February 1 each year. Place loose yard trimmings and leaves in the street just outside the gutter -- the gutter needs to remain clear for water runoff. No other solid waste of any kind shall be deposited among the prunings or leaves. Branches should not be more than four feet long. Do not bag or tie the trimmings. It is not necessary to call City Hall to have your trimming picked up. A special Public Works crew will pick up the trimmings each week as they check the neighborhoods. It is not a set route, so if the yard trimmings are not picked up one week, they will get it the next.

What about Hazardous Materials?

The city participates in a county wide Household Hazardous Waste Collections program. If you have paint, motor oil, batteries, or other toxic material to dispose. Please DO NOT place it in your containers.

Hazardous materials in your container can cause damage to the truck.