Containers and Hauler Services

Contamination

The hauler will only collect containers that are not contaminated.

If the hauler or City of Modesto staff finds contamination in your containers, your container will be tagged with a notice, and you will not receive container service until you have removed the contamination and contacted the City to schedule an inspection.

Making an Inspection Appointment

Contact Solid Waste or use our online contact us form if your container has been tagged and you want to schedule an inspection.

Once you have contacted the City to schedule an appointment, the City will send out a staff member to inspect the can to ensure it contains only acceptable material. Once the container has passed inspection, the service will resume on your next service day.

Fines for Contamination

Contaminating the organic container will be subject to a progressive fine structure with fines beginning at $100. For more information, view the Modesto Municipal Code 5-5.108.

Residential SB 1383 & Blue Container FAQs

What solid waste services changed on July 31, 2023?

The organics (green) container is serviced every week on your regular collection day. This returns organics collection to its schedule prior to January 2023.
The blue (recycling) container is serviced on your regular collection day every other week based on your address number.
- Odd addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) are serviced starting the week of July 31 to August 4, and every other week thereafter.
- Even addresses (ending in (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8) are serviced starting the week of August 7 to August 11, and every other week thereafter.
- More information on the collection schedule can be found here.

Why did the organics (green) container schedule change on July 31, 2023?

In 2022, Council approved a pilot program for the organics (green) container to be serviced every other week. During the pilot program, the city tracked feedback and found that most complaints stated that they did not have enough service with the organics container serviced bi-weekly. The City also noted an increase in utilization of green waste curbside collection and significant amounts of organic material in other waste containers. In June 2023, City Council reviewed the pilot program concerns and decided to end the organics container bi-weekly collection based on feedback from citizens that listed concerns over space, odors, and pests.

Why did the recycling (blue) container schedule change on July 31, 2023?

The City kept the recycling (blue) container on a bi-weekly collection, but changed the schedule for collection. To make for the most efficient collection possible, the City’s solid waste haulers will be collecting recycling bi-weekly based on the resident address.

Odd addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) were collected the week of July 31 to August 4, and every other week thereafter.
Even addresses (ending in (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8) were collected the week of August 7 to August 11, and every other week thereafter.

The City mailed updated calendars with this schedule to all residents. You can find more information on the collection schedule and containers here. If you have questions about your collection day or week, please contact the Solid Waste Division at 209-577-5494 or email us.

Did my rate increase on July 31, 2023?

Yes, the cost of changing organics (green) container collection from bi-weekly to weekly is $3.14. Additional increases to support the SB1383 implementation requirements and current programs provided to our customers also increased rates by $1.62 for a total residential rate increase of $4.76 in July 2023. More information on Solid Waste Rates can be found here.

What is SB 1383?

Senate Bill 1383 is a state law that became effective in January 2022 that requires local cities and counties to reduce their organic waste going to landfills. Organic waste is yard waste, paper waste, and food waste. As these materials break down in a low-oxygenated landfill they produce the greenhouse gas methane which is 80x more potent than carbon dioxide.

Objectives

SB 1383 requires that the state:

Reduce organic waste disposal to landfills by 75% by 2025
Recover at least 20% of surplus edible food for human consumption by 2025

These two objectives can reduce food insecurity and help combat climate change in California.

View All FAQs

Containers and Hauler Services

Containers

Container Collection Policy

Hauler Services

Shared Container Contract Application

Solid Waste Service Related FAQs

Contamination

Making an Inspection Appointment

Fines for Contamination

Contact Us

Solid Waste Management

Related Documents

Residential SB 1383 & Blue Container FAQs

Objectives

Get in touch

Site Links