Madera County, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Madera County's solid waste program includes 'various components of refuse (trash) disposal, collection, and recycling services' in the unincorporated area, delivered through its franchise haulers (Red Rock in the valley, Emadco in the mountains) and county facilities. The Mammoth Material Recovery Facility, co-located with the Fairmead Landfill in Chowchilla (559-665-1310), processes recyclable materials, and the county's Environmental Health Solid Waste Program oversees recycling facilities and points residents to CalRecycle and Earth911.com to locate recycling centers; questions go to Public Works Engineering Services at (559) 675-7811. County Code Chapter 7.24, Section 7.24.100 recognizes the Board's authority to provide source reduction, recycling and composting under Public Resources Code Sections 40002 and 40057. Layered on top of the local program are California's statewide mandatory recycling laws: AB 341 requires businesses generating four-plus cubic yards of solid waste per week, and multifamily dwellings of five-plus units, to arrange recycling service; AB 1826 adds mandatory organics recycling for qualifying generators. SB 1383 (covered separately) expands organics and edible-food-recovery duties. Single-family households are encouraged to recycle through their franchise cart service. Residents should confirm which materials their hauler accepts in the recycling cart, since acceptance can vary by zone and by the recovery facility's processing capabilities.