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

Recycling collection is part of the mandatory solid waste service for improved parcels in unincorporated Sacramento County (Sacramento County Code 6.20.120). The Department of Waste Management & Recycling provides curbside recycling every other week. Accepted materials include paper and cardboard such as newspapers, magazines, junk mail, paper egg cartons, and cereal/cracker boxes; metal cans such as empty and dry soup and vegetable cans, pet food cans, and soda cans; glass bottles and jars in all colors, empty and dry; and plastics including soda bottles, laundry, shampoo and conditioner bottles, and milk and juice jugs. Recyclables must be empty and dry, with lids and labels acceptable. Importantly, residents should bag their garbage but not their recyclables, placing recyclables loose in the cart. Items not accepted in the recycling cart include plastic bags and plastic wrap, Styrofoam, propane tanks, paint, batteries, needles, hoses, cords, chains, clothes hangers, coated paper or cartons, clothing, shoes, blankets, organics, and liquids. Putting non-recyclable contamination in the cart can cause loads to be rejected. Because organics are collected separately under California's SB 1383 organics mandate, food and yard waste should go in the organics cart, not recycling. Contact DWMR at 916-875-5555 for details on accepted materials.