Sacramento County, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Frequency
- Every other week
- Part of mandatory service
- Yes (SCC 6.20.120)
- Accepted
- Paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, plastic bottles/jugs
- Preparation
- Empty and dry; place loose (do not bag)
- Not accepted
- Bags, film plastic, Styrofoam, batteries, organics
- Provider
- DWMR (unincorporated areas)
Summary
Unincorporated Sacramento County provides every-other-week curbside recycling, included in mandatory service. Accepted items include clean paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles/jars, and rigid plastic bottles/jugs placed loose in the cart; bags, film plastic, and Styrofoam are excluded.
California's Organic Waste Reduction SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California's hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires. To reduce methane pollution and other short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016). The law set targets for 2025: 75% less organic waste sent to landfills. 20% of unsold, still-edible food sent to food recovery organizations. Collections All jurisdictions need to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses, and recycle organic waste. Procurement Procurement requirement information. Jurisdictions must use the products made from the recycled organic material, such as compost and mulch. Food Recovery Some food service businesses must donate unsold food to food recovery organizations to help some of the 1 in 5 Californians without enough to eat. Capacity Planning Counties must take the lead to plan for needed organic waste recycling and food recovery capacity. Enforcement Enforcement provisions support jurisdictions, non-local entities, local education districts, state, and federal facilities.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
Placing prohibited materials, bagged recyclables, or contamination in the recycling cart can result in the cart not being collected; persistent contamination may draw warnings under the County's collection program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I bag my recyclables?
Can plastic bags or Styrofoam go in the recycling cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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