Trash & Recycling in Redding, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Redding or are thinking about moving there, trash & recycling are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Redding has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Yard Waste Collection

Yard waste in Redding must go in the green organics cart under Redding Municipal Code Chapter 9.28 (Solid Waste and Recycling) and California SB 1383 (Public Resources Code §42652+). The City of Redding Solid Waste Utility's green cart accepts grass, leaves, plant clippings, untreated wood waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. Open burning of yard debris is regulated by the Shasta County Air Quality Management District and CAL FIRE — outdoor burning generally requires a permit and a 'burn day' from SCAQMD.

Key details: Required Stream: Green organics cart. Allowed Materials: Grass, leaves, plant clippings, untreated wood, food scraps, food-soiled paper. Disallowed: Plastic bags (incl. 'compostable'), packaging, styrofoam, coated paper. Burning Yard Debris: Requires SCAQMD burn-day + CAL FIRE permit (May 1-first rain). Sorting Mandate: CA SB 1383 (PRC §42652+) + RMC Chapter 9.28.

Putting yard waste in the gray garbage cart is an SB 1383 sorting violation. After a notice of violation and a meaningful opportunity to cure under 14 CCR §18997.2, fines start at $50–$100 for the first violation, $100–$200 for the second, and $250–$500 for a third within a 12-month period. Open burning outside an SCAQMD permissive burn day or without a CAL FIRE permit is enforceable by SCAQMD and CAL FIRE with civil penalties; a Hazardous Fire Area declaration suspends burning altogether and a fire that escapes can support criminal charges and civil cost recovery.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redding actively enforces its yard waste collection requirements.

Bin Placement Rules

Redding's automated collection requires precise cart placement under Redding Municipal Code Chapter 9.28 (Solid Waste and Recycling). The City of Redding Solid Waste Utility requires carts to be at the curb with the lid closed, spaced at least 3 feet apart and 6 feet from any obstacle (parked car, mailbox, fence, basketball hoop, light pole). Residential routes begin at 5:00 a.m., so carts should be set out the night before. Container colors follow SB 1383: gray garbage, blue recycling, green organics.

Key details: Cart Spacing: ≥3 ft apart, ≥6 ft from fixed objects. Lid Rule: Must be fully closed for collection. Route Start: 5:00 a.m. (set out night before). Container Colors (SB 1383): Gray trash, blue recycling, green organics. Disability Accommodation: Community Assistance Program (CAP).

Improper placement, overfilled carts, open lids, and contaminated carts can result in a missed pickup with a courtesy tag. Repeated improper presentation can be cited by Code Enforcement under Chapter 9.28 and Chapter 1.15 as a nuisance condition. SB 1383 sorting violations (gray/blue/green stream contamination) trigger state-required fines after notice and a meaningful opportunity to cure under 14 CCR §18997.2 ($50–$100 first violation).

Bulk Item Disposal

Bulk disposal in Redding runs through the City of Redding Solid Waste Utility's Special Pick-Up program: a $44.00 base trip fee plus per-item disposal cost, with a 24-hour advance scheduling requirement and a maximum of six items per location per trip. Items must be placed within six feet of the curb. Self-haul is also available at the Transfer Station at 2255 Abernathy Lane. Curbside dumping without a scheduled pickup is prosecutable under California Penal Code §374.3 (mandatory $250–$1,000 first-offense fine).

Key details: Program: City of Redding Solid Waste Utility Special Pick-Up. Base Trip Fee: $44.00 (covers labor, equipment, fuel). Plus: Per-item disposal cost (varies). Scheduling: ≥24-hour advance notice required. Max Items per Trip: 6 items per location.

Setting bulk items at the curb without a scheduled Special Pick-Up is illegal dumping under California Penal Code §374.3, which carries a mandatory infraction fine of $250–$1,000 for a first offense, $500–$1,500 for a second, and $750–$3,000 for a third within a year. Vehicle Code §23112.7 authorizes vehicle impound for up to six months for repeat dumping offenders. Redding Code Enforcement also issues administrative citations under Chapter 1.15 with cost recovery on the responsible parcel.

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping in Redding is prosecuted under California Penal Code §374.3 (mandatory $250–$1,000 fine for a first offense; up to $3,000 third) and the Shasta County District Attorney's Environmental Crimes Unit. Commercial-quantity dumping is a misdemeanor under §374.3(h) with up to six months jail and $1,000–$3,000 fines (up to $10,000 for repeat commercial offenders). California Vehicle Code §23112.7 authorizes up to six-month vehicle impound for repeat offenders. Shasta County offers a $500 reward (1-866-61-TRASH) for information leading to conviction.

Key details: Primary Statute: Cal. Penal Code §374.3. First-Offense Fine (non-commercial): $250-$1,000 (mandatory). Commercial Quantity: Misdemeanor + up to 6 months jail; up to $10,000 repeat. Vehicle Impound: Up to 6 months (CVC §23112.7). Reward: $500 (Shasta County, 1-866-61-TRASH).

Non-commercial dumping: mandatory $250–$1,000 first, $500–$1,500 second, $750–$3,000 third (Cal. Penal Code §374.3). Commercial-quantity dumping: misdemeanor with up to 6 months jail plus $1,000–$3,000 fines, escalating to as much as $10,000 for repeat commercial offenders under §374.3(h). Vehicle impound up to six months under Cal. Vehicle Code §23112.7 for repeat offenders. The Shasta County DA's Environmental Crimes Unit will also seek restitution for cleanup costs through the criminal prosecution and may file civil complaints for ongoing violations.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redding actively enforces its illegal dumping requirements.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Redding Municipal Code Chapter 9.28 (Solid Waste and Recycling) governs collection by the City of Redding Solid Waste Utility — a city-operated department (NOT a private franchise hauler like Recology). Residential service is once weekly with routes starting at 5:00 a.m. The system is a three-cart program: gray for trash, blue for single-stream recycling, green for SB 1383 organics. Resident organics enforcement began in January 2024.

Key details: Hauler: City of Redding Solid Waste Utility (city-operated, not franchised). Governing Code: RMC Chapter 9.28 + Cal. PRC §42652 (SB 1383). Three Cart Streams: Gray trash, blue recycling, green organics. Route Start Time: 5:00 a.m. (residential, once weekly). Resident Organics Enforcement: Began January 2024.

Failure to subscribe to city service is a Chapter 9.28 violation citable through Code Enforcement. SB 1383 sorting violations (contamination of the gray, blue, or green stream) trigger a notice of violation with a cure period before fines are assessed; state-required minimums are $50–$100 first violation, $100–$200 second, and $250–$500 third within 12 months. The Solid Waste Utility may refuse to service a contaminated cart and leaves a courtesy tag.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redding actively enforces its pickup rules & schedules requirements.

Recycling Requirements

Redding operates a single-stream blue cart for recycling under Redding Municipal Code Chapter 9.28 (Solid Waste and Recycling), administered by the City of Redding Solid Waste Utility. California AB 341 (Public Resources Code §42649+) requires businesses generating 4+ cubic yards/week to recycle; AB 1826 (PRC §42649.81+) extends the rule to commercial organics; SB 1383 (PRC §42652+) is the comprehensive residential and business organics mandate, with Redding resident enforcement that began in January 2024.

Key details: Recycling Stream: Single-stream blue cart. Accepted: #1/#2 plastic bottles/jugs, aluminum/tin cans, glass bottles/jars, cardboard, newspaper, magazines. Not Accepted (Blue Cart): Plastic bags, styrofoam, pizza boxes, shredded paper. Commercial Threshold (AB 341): ≥4 cubic yards/week solid waste. Tier 1 SB 1383: Effective Jan 1, 2022 (supermarkets, food distributors).

Contaminated carts may be left unserviced with a courtesy tag. SB 1383 sorting violations are subject to state-required fines of $50–$100 first violation, $100–$200 second, and $250–$500 third within 12 months under 14 CCR §18997.2, with a notice and a meaningful opportunity to cure before any fine is assessed. AB 341 (commercial recycling) and AB 1826 (commercial organics) violations carry similar tiered penalties.

This is one of the stricter rules in Redding's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Redding is tougher than many cities when it comes to trash & recycling. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Redding, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Redding's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.