Trash & Recycling
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't find your question? Ask us by calling 951-826-5311.
- Can I leave my barrel in the street even if there is a bike lane?
- Do I actually own the barrels?
- Does the City of Riverside clean or replace barrels when they have a foul odor?
- Does the City of Riverside credit my account if my trash was missed?
- How do I find out who provides my trash service?
- If the resident before me used both the bulky item appointments for the year, may I make an appointment?
- May I discontinue city trash services while still residing in Riverside?
- May I leave my barrels in the street or at the curb between service days?
- Where can I dispose of electronic waste such as TV’s and computers?
- Where can I dispose of needles and sharps?
- Why was my barrel removed with my trash?
- Why was my trash missed today?
Can I leave my barrel in the street even if there is a bike lane?
No. It is a State Vehicle Code violation to block an official bike lane. Barrels must be placed away from the bike lane. If you need assistance on where to place barrels call the 311 Call Center for assistance.
Return to Top
Do I actually own the barrels?
No. The first three barrels (one for each commodity; trash, green waste, and recyclables) are provided by the city to facilitate trash service. When the resident moves out, all three barrels are to stay behind at that address. If a resident requests an additional barrel, he/she is charged a base fee and a monthly fee for extra service. The extra barrel may remain with the resident as long as he/she lives in Riverside. Additional base fees are not charged when the resident moves from place to place. However, the barrel must be left behind when a resident no longer lives in Riverside. A resident may return the extra barrel for a $25 credit within two years of delivery.
Return to Top
Does the City of Riverside clean or replace barrels when they have a foul odor?
No. the resident is responsible for the cleanliness of the
barrel. Regular trash should always be placed in trash bags
before being placed in the brown barrel. Recyclable food and
beverage containers should be rinsed before placing them in
the blue barrels. Both of these actions will not only help to
eliminate the odor, but will also deter rodents.
Remember:
Chemicals cannot be used on the barrels and then rinsed into the gutter. If using chemicals, the water must be emptied into a
household drain.
Return to Top
Does the City of Riverside credit my account if my trash was missed?
No. Riverside does not credit the utility account. It is up to the resident to contact the city and alert them to the problem so they can return to collect the missed barrel. Contact the 311 Call Center to have the barrel serviced.
Return to Top
How do I find out who provides my trash service?
Contact the 311 Call Center to find out who services your area and the day(s) of service.
Return to Top
May I discontinue city trash services while still residing in Riverside?
Residents are required to dispose of their trash in
an appropriate manner. Residents may choose to use the
services of the city or choose to obtain a self hauler's
permit available through Public Works Administration. When
the application for the self hauler's permit has been
approved the resident will be required to show proof of
weekly trash disposal.
Contact the 311 Call Center for additional information.
Return to Top
May I leave my barrels in the street or at the curb between service days?
No. It is a violation to leave barrels out between service days. Please refer to the Riverside Municipal Code for more information.
Return to Top
Where can I dispose of electronic waste such as TV’s and computers?
The City of Riverside holds several events throughout the
year where residents may bring their electronic waste for
disposal. For more information regarding these free events
visit the City of Riverside
CURE schedule.
The City of Riverside's Digital Inclusion program also
accepts your old working or non-working computer, monitor,
keyboard and mouse and uses it to support the program. For
more information on computer recycling visit the
SmartRiverside website.
All other electronic waste, as well as household hazardous
waste, is accepted at the county’s Household Hazardous Waste
drop off site, located at 1780 Agua Mansa Road. This
location is open every Saturday from 9am-2pm, excluding
holiday weekends. For further inquiries please contact
Riverside County Waste Management Department at
951-486-3200.
Return to Top
Where can I dispose of needles and sharps?
The following locations accept medical sharps:
| Location | Address | Collection Times |
| Riverside County Hazardous Waste Facility | 1780 Agua Mansa Road Riverside, CA 92509 |
9:00am - 2:00pm Every Non-Holiday Saturday |
| Downtown Fire Station # 1 | 3420 Mission Inn Avenue Riverside, CA 92501 |
8:00am - 5:00pm Monday-Sunday |
| Arlington Fire Station # 2 | 9449 Andrew Street Riverside, CA 92503 |
8:00am - 5:00pm Monday-Sunday |
| Magnolia Fire Station # 3 | 6395 Riverside Avenue Riverside, CA 92503 |
8:00am - 5:00pm Monday-Sunday |
Click Here for more information on Riverside sharps disposal locations.
Help preserve our environment by properly disposing of needles and sharps, which are a hazardous waste. It is unlawful to put medical sharps such as hypodermic needles, lancets and pen needles into curbside colelction recycle or trash containers. For more information on sharps disposal procedures, Click Here.
Return to Top
Why was my barrel removed with my trash?
The Solid Waste Division sometimes finds barrels that do not
appear to belong to the address being serviced. Some
examples are extra unbilled barrels and containers at vacant houses.
When drivers find these, they try to make contact with the
resident. If the resident is not available, drivers take the
barrel(s) and investigate the problem.
Return to Top
Why was my trash missed today?
There could be several reasons why your barrel was not emptied. Reasons may include your container being too close to another can, having a vehicle parked too close or other obstruction blocking the driver, leaving the lid open, having contents sticking out of the top, placing inappropriate items in the barrels or setting out the containers late. Please check for these things. After making any necessary corrections, contact the 311 Call Center to have the can serviced.
Return to Top
