Trash & Recycling in Riverside, CA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Riverside, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
The City of Riverside Public Works Department directly operates residential collection under Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 (Residential Solid Waste Removal and Management). Every single-family home receives weekly curbside pickup of a brown/gray trash cart, a blue recycling cart, and a green organics/yard waste cart on a fixed service day. Collection trucks begin routes at 6:00 a.m., so carts must be curbside by that time.
Trash Pickup Rules — Weekly Three-Cart Service, 6 a.m. Setout Standard
Some RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 governs how and when residents may stage their automated carts. The Public Works FAQ confirms the operational rule that carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m., that leaving barrels out between service days is a Chapter 6.04 violation, and that barrels blocking a designated bike lane are a separate California Vehicle Code violation.
Cart Placement — Curbside by 6 a.m., Pulled in Same Day, Clear of Bike Lanes
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
The City of Riverside provides two free bulky-item collections per single-family household per calendar year, with up to five items per appointment. Bulky items must be at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on the appointment day and not placed out more than 24 hours in advance. A third Saturday drop-off at the Agua Mansa Transfer Station offers an unlimited free alternative.
Bulky Item Pickup — Two Free Appointments Per Year, Five Items Max
Few RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Riverside is implementing California's three-tier waste-diversion mandate — AB 939 (50% diversion since 2000), AB 341 (mandatory commercial recycling), and SB 1383 (organics/edible-food recovery). Every single-family residence is automatically subscribed to weekly blue-cart recycling and green-cart organics, and every multi-family complex and commercial business must subscribe to a recycling and organics service.
Mandatory Recycling — AB 939, AB 341, and SB 1383 Apply to Every Residence and Business
Heavy RestrictionsIllegal Dumping
Dumping trash, furniture, mattresses, construction debris, or yard waste on any street, lot, alley, or wash within Riverside violates both Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 9.16 (Litter) and California Penal Code §374.3. State law sets a mandatory $250–$1,000 fine for a first offense, doubled for waste tires, and $1,000–$3,000 plus possible jail for commercial quantities (≥1 cubic yard).
Illegal Dumping — RMC Ch. 9.16 Plus California Penal Code §374.3 ($250–$3,000)
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
Since July 1, 2022, Riverside's green cart is a combined organics cart: yard trimmings AND bagged food scraps go in the same brown-body/green-lid container per California SB 1383. Loose grass, leaves, and small branches go in directly; oversize branches up to 4 ft long and 4 in diameter may be bundled and placed beside the cart on service day.
Yard Waste — Combined Green Cart with Food Scraps Under SB 1383 (Mandatory Since July 2022)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Riverside city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Riverside County →