The Refuse Division is responsible for all solid waste collection within City limits. This includes scheduled and unscheduled service for residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as special programs such as Street Sweeping, Leaf Collection, Assisted Refuse, Alley Cleanup, Tire Amnesty and our Bulky Item Drop-Off Site. 

Our mission is to provide the citizens of Merced excellent solid waste services, which protect public health, preserve quality of life, and enhance the City’s general appearance.

We have goals in place to provide regular collection of residential, industrial, and commercial solid waste in the most efficient and cost effective manner. 

Our recycle or waste diversion programs help to meet our goals to decrease the amount of general waste going into our landfill and  increase the diversion of recyclable and organic materials away from landfills, thus increasing the landfill's lifespan. 

California Climate Crisis

California is now experiencing the effects of a climate crisis: hotter summers with world record-breaking temperatures, even more devastating fire seasons, more extreme droughts, and rising sea levels that erode our coastlines.

Scientists tell us that greenhouse gasses released by human activities, like landfilling food and yard waste, cause climate change.

To respond to this climate crisis, California is implementing statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery.

The State has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve health, and create clean jobs that support resilient local economies. Organic waste makes up half of what Californians send to landfills, and emits 20% of the state's methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Implementing the statewide plan under SB 1383 will reduce methane emissions and is essential to achieving California's climate goals. 

Fighting Climate Change by Recycling Organic Waste

In September 2016, Governor Edmund Brown Jr. set methane emissions reduction targets for California (SB 1383 Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). The targets must:

• Reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025.
• Rescue for people to eat at least 20% of currently disposed surplus food by 2025.

Landfills Are Third Largest Source of Methane in California

Organic waste in landfills emits:

• 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
• Air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma.

Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills.

Reducing Short-Lived Climate Super Pollutants like organic waste will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis.

Solid Waste Information

The City of Merced provides both residential and commercial refuse service. Services consist of general trash, recycling, green waste, organic and Construction & Demolition disposal. 

RESIDENTIAL

Residential refuse service has three (3) containers. The grey container is for general household garbage, the blue container is for accepted recyclables, and the green container is for green waste. When containers are full, lids must be able to close and they must weigh less than 200 pounds. Containers that are overloaded or that are too heavy may not receive service. Any items placed outside the container or on the curb will not be removed. 

Residential recycle service uses a 64 gallon rolling container. Refuse containers can be placed at the curb no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before service and must be removed from the curb no later than 9:00 p.m. the day of service.

All containers must be placed at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on the day of service to be considered on-time for service. If containers are not out on time, there may be a fee charged to come back. Please contact the Public Works office for assistance if the container was not out on time or if it was missed.

Containers should not be placed next to vehicles, mailboxes, trees, or other obstacles that may interfere with the handle facing the house, at least 6 feet from any vehicle and 3 feet from all other objects, including the other containers.

Assisted Refuse Service

For those customers who have difficulty pulling the refuse containers to the curb due to physical limitation, the City of Merced maintains an assisted refuse service. This program allows a refuse equipment operator to retrieve containers, bring them to the curb for service,  and return them. Since this program is provided at no additional charge, eligibility must be confirmed. 

If you are interested in participating in the assisted refuse service, please contact the Public Works Office at 209-385-6800.

Commercial

Commercial refuse service has several container options from a 300 gallon bin to an 8 cubic yard container and range from one (1) pick up per week to six (6) pick ups per week. Commercial service is unique to each business, so please call our Public Works Office at 209-385-6800 to request a site evaluation work order to obtain service.

Is your commercial business meeting the requirements for Mandatory Commercial Recycling and Mandatory Commercial Organic Recycling per the State of California? Does your business have a Recycling, Organic Recycling and Food Waste diversion program or policy? Does AB341, AB1826 or SB1383 apply to your business? 

Please take a few minutes to give us information on your current waste services with this link to the Commercial Services Waste Survey.

Construction and demolition waste has to follow CALGreen standards. Develop a Construction Waste Management Plan as required per CALGreen code Title 24, diverting 65% of waste from the general waste stream. A self-certification form can be found at C&D Waste and Recycling Diversion Log and included with your C&D permit.  

Household Hazardous Waste

We do not accept household hazardous waste such as car batteries, pesticides, paints or liquids of any kind. Flammable materials such as gas, oil or hot ashes are also considered hazardous waste. For questions regarding disposal of these items or for a list of what is considered a household hazardous waste please check out the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority   or call 209-723-4481. 

Wet Paint Disposal 

Wet paint is a household hazardous waste and needs to be disposed of properly. Paint Care offers drop-off sites throughout California where the public can take unwanted paint for recycling. For more information check out their website at Paint Care .