Trash & Recycling

Please be advised that certain construction and demolition projects will be required to recycle or reuse at least 65% of the construction and demolition debris generated from projects. The City of Madera’s Municipal Code § 5-3.30 Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling was adopted in an effort to keep these materials out of the landfill as required by AB939 and the California Green Building Code (CALGreen).

For more information, please see the Building Department Fact Sheet or the CALGreen Construction Waste Management Requirements.  To visit the CalRecycle website, click the link below:

Local Government Construction and Demolition (C&D) Guide

The City of Madera makes waste collection easy for residential customers by providing three types of containers:

1. GRAY Garbage Cart: This one's for your household garbage. It's important to use the GRAY cart for household garbage only. Please avoid putting heavy items like dirt, rocks, concrete, furniture, or hazardous waste in it. Also, don't toss yard waste in here – we have a separate option for that.
2. GREEN Compost Cart: Your GREEN cart is the perfect place for yard waste and organics. You can use it for yard trimmings, grass, and food scraps. This includes materials like grass clippings, prunings, and leaves. However, items like large tree branches or palm fronds belong in your GRAY cart. Be cautious not to put unacceptable items in your GREEN cart to avoid any fines.
3. BLUE Recyclables Cart: The BLUE cart is reserved for recyclable materials. This includes all paper products, cardboard, plastics, metal, small appliances, and glass. Please refrain from placing items like diapers, rubber hoses, or hazardous waste in your BLUE cart. Overfilling is also something to avoid.

For more information, please see Mid Valley Disposal's Recycling Guide.

Please note that consistently putting unacceptable materials in carts may result in fines.

Are you looking to responsibly dispose of old electronics? You can drop off your electronic waste at the Fairmead Landfill. Here are the details:

Location:
Fairmead Landfill
21739 Road 19
Chowchilla, CA 93610
1 (559) 665-1310

Hours of Operation:

• Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Closed: Sunday and major Holidays

Please remember to handle your electronic waste responsibly to help protect our environment. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the landfill directly.

Thank you for helping us keep our community clean and green.

Household Hazardous Waste Info Sheet

Did you know that household products such as cleaning fluids, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, paints and automotive supplies contain hazardous chemicals that can be harmful to you and your family?  Products such as these, which are marked "caution", "warning" or "danger", can also pose a threat to the envoirnment.

What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?
Many common household items contain chemicals that can create environmental hazards if not handled properly.  These waste include old paint, TVs, computer monitors, batteries, fluorescent lights, thermometers and thermostats, waste oil and gasoline, and pesticides.

Why are TVs and computer monitors hazardous?
Computer monitors and TVs may contain mercury paste and gas along with leaded glass.  Deliver your household's old TVs and computer monitors to the Fairmead Landfill, 21739 Road 19, Chowchilla, 559-665-3099.  Televisions and computer monitors are now accepted free of charge at the Fairmead Landfill.

What are mercury-containing wastes?
Mercury is an essential component in fluorescent lamps, and may be found in thermometers and thermostats.  If these items are broken or not recycled, they can release harmful levels of mercury into the environment.  You can give your old thermostat to your heating contractor to return to their wholesaler for recycling.  Remember to buy low-mercury lighting fixtures, and mercury-free thermometers and thermostats.

What can I do with old paint?

First, if the paint is still usable, you may be able to find a school or non-profit organization that can use the oil paint.  If not, take the cover off of the paint can and place it outside to dry out.  Once the paint is dry, place it in your gray garbage container.  You can also add the old paint to kitty litter so all the liquid is absorbed.  Put the kitty litter in a couple of trash bags, then add the paint and dispose with your regular household refuse.  Remember to buy latex paint whenever possible.

There are also vendors that collect up to 5 gallons of latex and oil-based paint, stains and varnish.  In Madera, you can drop off old paint at the following location:

The Department of Public Works Streets Division will begin its annual leaf cleanup program on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

The annual City of Madera leaf cleanup is a program designed to help residents dispose of leaves in a convenient and environmentally-friendly way. On assigned dates, residents can place their leaves in a designated area at the curb for pickup by city crews. The leaves are then taken to a composting facility, where they are converted into nutrient-rich compost. Public Works personnel typically begin the program in early January.

Residents should place leaves from their yards in the green waste container for pickup by the refuse hauler. Any leaves that do not fit in the green waste container should be piled approximately one foot from the curb, leaving enough room in the gutters for proper water drainage. Gutter areas should be kept clear of bottles, cans, boards, limbs, brush, and rocks, as these items can cause significant damage to the equipment and pose a safety risk to workers. Please note that leaf piles containing these items will not be collected.

The City will be divided into ten sections for the cleanup program. A map of the cleanup sections can be found on the City's website at www.madera.gov/leafmap. Leaves will be removed from the section in a clockwise rotation, starting with Section 9. This cycle will be repeated twice. If necessary, residents can request a third round of leaf pickup by contacting the Public Works Department 1 (559) 661-5466.

The annual leaf cleanup program is a major effort that requires the cooperation of both City personnel and residents. City staff greatly appreciate the community's support in making this program a success. Depending on weather conditions, the cleanup may take approximately four weeks to complete.

For questions or concerns regarding the annual leaf cleanup program, contact the Public Works Department at 1 (559) 661-5466.

information updated: 110724.mhz

The City randomly does audits and tracks additional containers.  If any part of your container is broken please contact Mid Valley Disposal at 559-237-9425 or by calling 1-800 706-5779.

Click on the map above for a detailed view of your neighborhood collection day.

The City contracts with Mid Valley Disposal for garbage disposal service. This includes the following service: 96-gallon grey container for trash, a green container for green waste/compost, and a blue container for recycling. In order to assure service, containers must be placed at the curb or in the alley the night before your day of service. The City of Madera Municipal Code requires that containers must be removed from the street or alley within 12 hours of service and stored on your property.

You can reach Mid Valley Disposal by calling:  1-800-706-5779

Depending on when a holiday falls during the week, garbage pick-up days for the week would be serviced the following day.

Mid Valley Disposal observes the following holidays when they land on regularly scheduled days of service (weekdays):

Why recycle used motor oil?

Recycling used motor oil conserves a natural resource (oil) and is good for the environment too! Motor oil poured onto the ground or into storm drains, or tossed into trash cans (even in a sealed container) can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, and rivers. Recycling your used motor oil reduces this pollution threat. When you take your used oil to a certified center for recycling, you are protecting the environment, conserving a valuable resource, and getting paid for it. That's a winning combination!

City of Madera residential customers can recycle both their used oil and used oil filters at local Certified Used Oil Collection Centers. Follow the link below to find the closest oil collection center near you:

CalRecycle Used Oil Collection Centers

Alternatively, used oil can be recycled at the Fairmead Landfill located at 21739 Road 19, Chowchilla, CA 93610, Saturdays only between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment is required. Contact Fairmead Landfill at 1 (559) 665-1310 for disposal pricing.

STATE MANDATES

• AB 341 - Mandatory Non-Organic Commercial Recycling
• AB 1826 - Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling

CalRecycle

Recycling is a win for everyone. Californians purchased over 18.2 billion carbonated and non-carbonated drinks in aluminum, glass, plastic, and bi-metal containers last year. Of these, more than 10.6 billion were recycled, contributing to resource conservation, energy efficiency, and the extension of landfill lifespans. Imagine the impact of recycling the remaining 7.6 billion containers!

Find a Recycling Center Near You

GREENWASTE RECYCLING

Commonly Asked Questions

• What is Greenwaste? Greenwaste, also known as Yardwaste, includes grass clippings, weeds, leaves, small branches, and yard-generated organic materials like bread, grains, eggshells, and paper products. (NO PROTEINS)
• What Should NOT Go in the Greenwaste Container? Please help maintain the quality of greenwaste containers. Keep out plastic bags, garbage, household hazardous waste, animal waste, dirt, rocks, tires, flower pots, palm fronds, and pampas grass.
• What Happens if My Greenwaste Container is Contaminated? Your collection driver will provide two warnings. If contamination occurs a third time, the greenwaste container will be removed, ending your greenwaste recycling opportunity.
• When Do I Place My Container Out for Collection? To ensure pickup, set your container out by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
• Where Should I Place My Container Out for Collection? Put your greenwaste container in the same spot as your regular refuse containers. Ensure there are no vehicles blocking access if your container is on the street.

NO: Plastic Bags • Garbage • Animal Waste • Tires • Household Hazardous Waste • Dirt • Rocks • Flower pots • Palm Fronds • Pampas Grass

RECYCLING MARKET DEVELOPMENT ZONE

The Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) program merges recycling with economic growth to create new businesses, expand existing ones, generate jobs, and divert waste from landfills. This program offers loans, technical support, and free product marketing to businesses that utilize materials from the waste stream for manufacturing. To participate, a business must be located in an RMDZ Zone.

For additional information about RMDZ Zones, please visit the following websites:

• The Madera County RMDZ Administrator
• Madera County Economic Development Commission

Recycling Composting Presentation

View the City of Madera's SB-1383 Information Guide.

SB-1383: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Organic Waste Diversion

Senate Bill 1383 (SB-1383) is a California state law designed to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic materials, including food waste, yard waste, and soiled paper products, away from landfills. This legislation mandates that all businesses, multi-family communities, and single-family residences take steps to comply with organic waste diversion requirements. Additionally, SB-1383 aims to increase edible food recovery by 20% by the year 2025.

Effective Dates:

Starting January 1, 2022, all businesses, schools, multi-family communities, and single-family residences are obligated to divert food scraps, soiled paper, and yard waste into designated organics bins or carts. Beginning January 1, 2024, local jurisdictions may enforce penalties for non-compliance with SB-1383 regulations.

Compliance and Implementation:

The City of Madera offers a straightforward approach to meet the SB-1383 requirements. For single-family residences, three types of bins are provided: gray for general trash, blue for recyclables, and green for yard waste, soiled paper, and food scraps. The key objective is to ensure that food and yard scraps are correctly placed in the green organics cart.

Tips for Proper Food Waste Disposal:

1. Place food scraps inside a paper bag and deposit them into the organics cart (green cart).
2. Combine food scraps on newspaper and then put them into the organics cart (green cart).
3. Place food scraps inside a plastic bag, freeze them, and discard the frozen food from the plastic bag on the day of service or the night before. Do not dispose of plastic bags inside the organics cart.
4. Use a small coffee container or a reusable plastic container to collect food scraps and wash it out before disposing of food scraps in the organics cart (green cart).
5. Food scraps, soiled paper (such as pizza boxes, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, paper cups), and green waste can all be mixed together inside the organics cart (green cart).

Maintaining Clean and Odor-Free Carts:

To keep your organics cart clean and deter pests, you can prepare a solution by mixing vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You may also add your favorite essential oil to the mix to reduce odors.

For more detailed information on what items should go into each trash cart, please visit the Gray, Green & Blue Containers section of this webpage.

Edible Food Recovery Program

To learn about the Edible Food Recovery Program, view the Food Recovery Organization Directory (updated January 2025).

Guide to SB 1383 Video

To further understand how to effectively implement SB-1383 in your household, please watch this informative video: SB-1383 Implementation Guide.