San Joaquin County, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Haulers
- Waste Mgmt / Republic
- Frequency
- Weekly, 3 carts
- Organics
- SB 1383 mandatory
- Bin Time
- Out by 6 AM
- Holiday
- 1-day delay
Summary
Unincorporated San Joaquin County contracts residential solid waste and recycling service through franchise haulers: primarily Waste Management (north and east county) and Republic Services/Allied (south and west). Weekly curbside trash, recycling, and SB 1383 organics collection is required. Bins out by 6:00 AM on service day; contaminated bins may be rejected.
Code, relating to methane emissions. [ Approved by Governor September 19, 2016. Filed with Secretary of State September 19, 2016. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1383, Lara. Short-lived climate pollutants: methane emissions: dairy and livestock: organic waste: landfills. (1) The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency charged with monitoring and regulating sources of emissions of greenhouse gases. The state board is required to approve a statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit equivalent to the statewide greenhouse gas emissions level in 1990 to be achieved by 2020. The state board is also required to complete a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, as defined, in the state.
Full Breakdown
San Joaquin County does not operate its own collection fleet, residential service in unincorporated areas is provided through exclusive franchise agreements with private haulers, principally Waste Management of San Joaquin County (northern and eastern unincorporated areas including Linden, Lockeford, Clements, Escalon-area unincorporated) and Republic Services (Tracy-area, Mountain House, and southern/western unincorporated). Each household receives three carts: gray/black (trash), blue (recyclables, commingled paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastics #1–#5), and green (organics, yard waste plus food scraps as required by state SB 1383 effective January 2022).
Weekly pickup occurs on an assigned day; bins must be curbside by 6:00 AM and set 3 feet apart with handles toward the house. Holidays (New Year's, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas) delay service one day that week. The Lovelace Transfer Station (Stockton) and Foothill Sanitary Landfill accept self-haul and overflow. SB 1383 mandatory organics diversion applies to all residents regardless of city or county. The Mountain House Community Services District operates its own franchise separate from county service.
Violations & Fines
Missed put-out: no penalty, contact hauler for return. Contaminated bin: tagged and skipped; repeat contamination $25–$100 per occurrence on bill. Illegal dumping (not in franchise cart): $500–$5,000 per SJ Health & Safety Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical penalties for violating pickup rules rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Joaquin County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Joaquin County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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