Learning about the Fresno trash schedule helps residents get rid of their trash, yard waste, bulk items, and recyclables on time easily. This article explains everything you need to know, from weekly pickup schedules and holiday changes to safe disposal of hazardous waste and special programs like Free Dump Events and Operation Cleanup.
City of Fresno Garbage Pickup Schedule
Garbage collection in the City of Fresno is handled weekly, but the pickup days vary depending upon the place where you live. Residents can use the city’s online address lookup tool to confirm their specific collection schedule. Your gray, green, and blue carts must be placed at the curbside before 5:30 am on your pickup day, since the collection starts after that time. After the garbage is picked up, bins should be removed from the curb by the end of the same day to keep the neighborhood clean.
In case of any missed collections, call the solid waste management division after 6:30 pm by dialing 559-621-6888. Make sure that the carts are placed 3-4 feet apart from each other, and their handles are facing your houses in order to ensure a smooth garbage pickup.
Fresno Garbage Pickup Holidays
The holidays that affect garbage pickup schedule in the city of Fresno, California, are:
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Day
If a holiday is on Monday, Saturday, or Sunday, the trash collection schedule stays the same. If the holiday is on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, trash collection is delayed by one day for the rest of the week.
The holidays that do NOT affect the garbage pickup schedule in Fresno are:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
City of Fresno Garbage Phone Number
Here are all the phone numbers you might need related to garbage and recycling in the city of Fresno, California.
| Service | Phone Number |
| Solid Waste Management Division Customer Service | (559) 621-1452 |
| Assistance for Customers with Disabilities or Medical Conditions | (559) 621-1452 |
| Start Service or Make a Change in Service (Utilities Billing & Collection) | (559) 621-6888 |
| Household Hazardous Waste | (559) 600-4259 |
| Recycling Hotline | (559) 621-1111 |
| Used Motor Oil and Filter Recycling | (559) 621-1111 |
| Tire Disposal (Code Enforcement) | (559) 621-8400 |
| Beautify Fresno | (559) 621-8626 |
| Operation Clean Up | (559) 621-1452 |
Fresno Recycling Schedule
Recycling pickup in Fresno takes place on the same day as your garbage and yard waste collection days. The collection starts at 5:30 am and ends at 8:00. To find your recycling pickup day, have a look at the city’s collection map. Fresno allows recycling of four different types of materials, which are metal, plastic, paper, and glass.
Fresno Hazardous Waste Disposal
Hazardous waste materials are the ones which are explosive or which contain components that are harmful for human health. HHW includes items labeled as harmful, toxic, flammable, or corrosive. If these items aren’t handled carefully, they can cause serious harm or contaminate soil and water. Never throw HHW into regular trash, drains, or gutters.
To identify hazardous substances, look for warning signs with words like
- Flammable
- Corrosive
- Harmful
- Danger
- Poison
Make sure you are safe before using any hazardous product by keeping in view the following things in mind:
- Wear gloves and safety gear when using hazardous products.
- Buy only what you need and follow the instructions on labels.
- Don’t mix chemicals as it can cause dangerous reactions.
- Store items in original containers in cool, dry places, away from kids and pets.
- Avoid storing hazardous items for more than a year.
Take hazardous waste to approved facilities or events. For items like batteries, medicines, and fluorescent bulbs, find designated drop-off locations. Some items, like dried latex paint, can be safely disposed of in regular trash after drying.
For more information or disposal help, contact the Fresno County Recycling Hotline at (559) 621-1111 or visit the Fresno County website.
Solid Waste Facilities in Fresno
Fresno takes care of its trash using two main locations: Fresno Sanitary Landfill and the American Avenue Landfill.
Fresno Sanitary Landfill
This was the first modern landfill in the U.S., running from 1937 to 1989. It’s located three miles outside Fresno. Back then, trash was buried in trenches and covered with dirt to keep the area clean and safe. This method became a model for landfills everywhere. Although it’s no longer in use, the site is now recognized as a historical landmark.
American Avenue Landfill
Since 1993, most trash from Fresno is taken to the Cedar Avenue Station, sorted, and sent here. It’s near San Joaquin and is also where people can safely get rid of hazardous items like chemicals or batteries. This landfill is expected to be used until 2031.
City of Fresno Free Dump Events
The Solid Waste Management Division in Fresno hosts Free Dump Events six times a year, usually during the spring and fall. These events are designed to help residents get rid of large, bulky items without extra charges. They take place at the CARTS facility located at 3457 S. Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA 93725.
Only residents who use the City of Fresno’s waste collection services are eligible to participate in the events. Participants need to bring either a City of Fresno utility bill or a completed Proof of Eligibility Form, along with a valid state-issued ID. Tenants who are not account holders can download and use the Proof of Eligibility Form instead of the utility bill.
Each household is allowed to drop off one full-size truckload (approximately 8’x4’x4′). Acceptable items include:
- Furniture: sofas, tables, chairs, desks, and mattresses.
- Appliances: refrigerators, ovens, and other large household items.
- Construction waste: drywall, wood, clean asphalt, and concrete (asphalt and concrete are also accepted year-round on weekdays).
Some materials are prohibited, such as:
- Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, batteries).
- Household trash and medical waste.
- Tires, soil, liquid waste, or ammunition.
For any questions, you can contact the City of Fresno by dialing 311 or calling 559-621-2489.
Operation Cleanup Fresno 2024 Schedule
Operation Cleanup is a program by the City of Fresno that helps residents dispose of large, bulky items that regular trash collection can’t handle. Bulky waste items are those which are very heavy and large and hence cannot be placed inside regular trash cans. Each household gets one scheduled pickup per year to get rid of these items.
Residents can find their scheduled pick up date using the Operation Clean Up Lookup Tool or the city’s website. Everybody is advised to place the bulk items at the curbside within one week of the scheduled pickup.
When placing items for pickup, it is important to separate them into two distinct piles. The first pile should consist of yard waste, such as tree limbs, grass clippings, leaves, and brush. The second pile should include all other trash, like furniture, mattresses, appliances (except refrigerators and freezers), cardboard, and other bulky debris. Note that no household can put waste more than 10 cubic yards in volume on their bulk pickup days.
Conclusion
Fresno helps residents get rid of their household garbage, recyclables, green waste, bulky materials, and even hazardous waste items through their pickup programs and other events. The pickup for garbage, yard waste and recyclables takes place every week on the same day, but the days vary from region to region. In case of any problems or queries, people can easily contact the solid waste management department through their contact number.
