Trash & Recycling in Merced, CA (2026)
10 verified trash & recycling rules for Merced, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Every Merced property that generates solid waste must use the city's own collection service under Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.015. Residential pickup runs once a week for two 30-gallon containers; downtown businesses get six-day service, other businesses at least weekly.
Merced Mandatory Trash Collection Rules
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.015 (Use of City's Collection and Disposal Service)
Every person who owns or occupies, or is in possession or control of, any property in the city that is developed or used such that solid waste is produced or accumulate thereon shall discard such materials through the regular collection service of the city.
Bin Placement Rules
Merced requires curbside carts to go out no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before collection and be pulled in by 9 p.m. on collection day under Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.055. Carts can't be stored where visible from the street between pickups.
Merced Trash Cart Placement and Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.055 (Designated Locations and Days)
It shall be unlawful, subject to punishment in accordance with Chapter 1.12 of this Code, for any person to place, keep, or cause, or suffer or permit to be placed or kept, any receptacle for solid waste, rubbish, green waste, other waste matter or recyclables upon the any public street, curb, sidewalk, alley or public way except in the location that has been designated by the city, and then on...
Bulk Item Disposal
Items too large for regular containers must be removed through a special pickup arranged with Merced's solid waste collection division under Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.040. The city bills actual labor, equipment, and landfill costs, and lists a $25 rear-loader bulky waste pickup fee.
Merced Bulky Item Special Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.040 (Oversized Solid Waste and Rubbish)
Solid waste, rubbish or waste matter, except as in this section provided, shall be kept in receptacles provided therefor between the times when the same shall be removed. Items which cannot conveniently be placed in containers, shall be disposed of by special pickup arranged with the solid waste collection division. Special pickup charges will be billed at the actual cost of labor, materials, e...
Recycling Requirements
Merced establishes a citywide recycling program for residences and businesses under Sec. 8.04.420, giving the director of public works authority to set operating rules while the city council keeps control of rates. Participation is mandatory unless a property qualifies for a self-haul exemption, and unauthorized haulers cannot collect recyclables from Merced customers.
Merced Curbside Recycling Program Requirements
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.420 (Recycling, Rules Established)
The following requirements, as contained in this article, covering the handling of accumulations of recyclable material to be observed by the occupants of places of residence and places of business are established. The director of public works is hereby authorized to promulgate administrative rules and procedures subject to the approval of the city manager which are necessary and proper to ensu...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Merced requires commercial facilities, multifamily properties, and special events to separate organic material, including food scraps, from garbage under Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.910. Generators must provide labeled bins, train staff, and post signage explaining what goes where, and the city can inspect containers and premises under Sec. 8.04.920 to confirm compliance.
Merced Mandatory Organic Waste Separation Rule
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.910 (Commercial Waste Generators, Rules)
Each commercial waste generator shall be responsible for ensuring and demonstrating its compliance with the requirements of this chapter and California State regulations as it pertains to general waste, recycling, and organic recycling, including food waste diversion and/or use of a food recovery program. Each generator shall: ... B.Ensure the segregation of recyclable materials and, for commer...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid waste on someone else's property, a street, alley, or public place is unlawful in Merced under Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.070. Letting waste accumulate on your own property is a separate violation under Sec. 8.04.160, both enforceable as misdemeanors under Chapter 1.12.
Merced Illegal Dumping Prohibition
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.070 (Depositing Solid Waste on Another's Premises)
No person shall permit or allow any solid, green or organic waste, rubbish or waste matter to be scattered about in his yard or upon the premises occupied by him or to throw or deposit any solid, green or organic waste, rubbish or waste matter upon the premises of any other person, or upon any of the streets, alleys or other public places of the city.
Yard Waste Collection
Merced defines 'green waste' as yard trimmings, plant waste and untreated wood, distinct from treated wood or demolition debris, under Sec. 8.04.700. The city bills $7.74 a month per green-waste container (Sec. 8.04.780) and requires residents to put carts at the curb only between 4 p.m. the day before pickup and 9 p.m. on collection day, per Sec. 8.04.740 and 8.04.750.
Merced Yard and Green Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.700.A (Green Waste, Definitions)
Green waste. "Green waste," as used in this chapter, means any plant material that is separated at the point of collection. Green waste includes, but is not limited to, yard trimmings, plant wastes and untreated wood wastes. Green waste does not include treated wood waste, mixed demolition or mixed construction debris.
Dumpster Rules
Only the City of Merced, or its authorized contractor, may place and collect commercial dumpsters and roll-off containers under Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.140. Roll-offs come in 10, 20, or 30 cubic yards, with scheduled service requiring a 90-day minimum rental.
Merced Commercial Dumpster and Roll-Off Rules
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.140 (Private Collections of Solid Waste Material Prohibited)
The city, its duly authorized servants, officers or employees, or any person with whom the city has executed a written contract therefor, shall have the exclusive right to gather and collect solid waste material within the city. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.04.025, it is unlawful for any other person to collect or gather or remove solid waste material within the city.
Collection Schedule
Merced's Municipal Code entitles every dwelling unit to weekly removal of two 30-gallon containers of solid waste under Sec. 8.04.290, and residential collection cannot happen more than once a week. Businesses outside downtown get at least weekly pickup under Sec. 8.04.310, while the downtown central business district gets six-day service under Sec. 8.04.300.
Merced Weekly Residential Trash Collection Rule
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.290 (Extent of Service - Residential)
The fees established entitle the owner of each dwelling unit to the removal of the equivalent of the contents of two (2) thirty-gallon containers of solid waste or rubbish once each calendar week. The fees for removal of additional containers of solid waste or rubbish from any premises shall be increased in proportion to the amount of additional solid waste or rubbish removed; provided, that co...
Recycling Rules
Any Merced building project needing a permit for commercial, industrial, institutional, or five-or-more-unit residential construction must include a dedicated recycling area under Sec. 8.06.030. Sec. 8.06.040 sets design rules for that space: adequate capacity, secure storage, vehicle clearance for haulers, and required signage identifying the materials accepted.
Merced New Development Recycling Area Standards
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.06.040 (Recycling, Design Standards)
Areas for recycling shall be adequate in capacity, number, and distribution to serve the development where the project occurs. Dimensions of the recycling area shall accommodate containers consistent with current methods of collection in the area in which the project is to be located. ... Recycling areas shall be secured to prevent the theft of recyclable materials by unauthorized persons, whil...
Looking for Merced County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Merced city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Merced County →