Merced, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Cart and container placement in the incorporated City of Merced is governed by the City's own refuse rules administered by the Refuse Division. Per the City refuse pages, 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. on the day of service. When containers are full, their lids must be able to close, and a container must weigh less than 200 pounds; containers that are overloaded or too heavy may not receive service. The three residential containers - grey for garbage, blue for recyclables and green for green waste - should be presented as directed by the Refuse Division. For customers who cannot move their containers to the curb (for example due to a physical limitation), the City's assisted refuse service allows a refuse equipment operator to retrieve the containers, bring them to the curb for service, and return them; residents arrange this through the Public Works Office at 209-385-6800. These curb-timing and weight rules are City of Merced rules applicable within city limits. Specific fine amounts for early set-out, late removal or overloading were not located in a fetched city source and are not stated here.