Recycling is an important way for residents of Fresno to reduce waste and help the environment. By recycling household items like plastics, paper, metals, and glass, citizens can decrease the amount of trash sent to landfills. Fresno has a comprehensive curbside recycling program that makes it easy for residents to recycle a wide variety of materials.
Curbside recycling in Fresno
The City of Fresno provides curbside recycling pickup to all residents in single-family homes and small multi-family complexes up to 4 units. Recyclables are collected in blue wheeled carts provided by the city. These carts are picked up bi-weekly on the same day as regular trash collection. The following common household items can be placed in curbside recycling bins in Fresno:
- Plastic bottles and jugs
- Glass bottles and jars
- Aluminum cans and clean foil
- Steel and tin cans
- Mixed paper (newspaper, magazines, junk mail, etc.)
- Cardboard
- Milk and juice cartons
These materials should be empty, with lids removed and rinsed before placing in the recycling. Residents are asked not to bag their recyclables before placing them in the cart. Recyclables that are bagged may end up in the landfill. The city provides a detailed list of acceptable and prohibited curbside recyclables on their website.
Other recycling options
In additional to curbside pickup, Fresno residents have access to several other recycling options:
Recycling drop-off centers
For recyclable materials not accepted curbside, the City of Fresno operates 6 free drop-off recycling centers around the city. These locations accept a wide range of items including:
- Scrap metal
- Car batteries
- Used motor oil
- Cooking oil
- Clothing and textiles
- Books
- Plastic bags and wrap
- Styrofoam
Drop-off locations are open 7 days a week during daylight hours. Several sites also host special recycling events throughout the year for e-waste, tires, and other items.
Large item pickup
For bulky items like mattresses, furniture, and appliances, Fresno residents can schedule a free large item collection up to 4 times per year. Many items collected through this service can be recycled or salvaged. Scheduling is done by contacting the city’s trash hauler.
Hazardous waste disposal
To safely dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) like chemicals, batteries, and electronic waste, the City of Fresno operates a permanent HHW Facility. Residents can drop off approved HHW for free on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-4pm. The facility occasionally holds weekdays drop-off events as well.
Conservation corps recycling
The Fresno County Conservation Corps collects recyclable items from schools, businesses, and apartment complexes with 5 or more units. Eligible materials include cardboard, paper, plastics, aluminum, and more. Interested parties can contact Recycling Services at (559) 600-4271.
Recycling at stores
Many grocery stores and retailers in Fresno offer on-site recycling drop-off for their customers. Safeway, Walmart, Target, and Save Mart are some of the major chains that collect plastic bags, plastic wrap, Styrofoam, batteries, and other specialty recycling.
What materials can be recycled in Fresno?
Here is a more detailed overview of what specific materials can and cannot be recycled through Fresno’s various programs:
Paper and cardboard
Most paper and cardboard materials are recyclable in Fresno’s curbside program and at drop-off locations. Accepted items include:
- Newspaper and inserts
- Magazines and catalogs
- Junk mail and office paper
- Phone books
- Brown paper bags
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Milk cartons and juice boxes
Shredded paper must be contained in paper bags. Food-contaminated items like used paper plates and cups cannot be recycled.
Plastic
Many common plastic containers and bottles can go in curbside bins. Acceptable items include:
- Plastic bottles and jars
- Milk and juice jugs
- Detergent and soap containers
- Plastic tubs like margarine, yogurt, etc.
Check that plastics are marked with recycling codes #1-7. Other rigid plastics like buckets, lawn chairs and toys are not currently recyclable curbside but can be taken to drop-off centers. Plastic bags require special recycling and are not accepted in curbside bins.
Glass
Clear and colored glass food and beverage containers are recyclable in Fresno’s curbside program. Other glass items like windows, mirrors, light bulbs, and ceramics cannot be recycled and belong in the trash. Glass should have lids removed and be empty and rinsed before recycling.
Aluminum and metal
Aluminum soda cans, food cans, clean foil, and pie tins can go in curbside recycling. Other acceptable metals include empty steel/tin food and beverage cans, empty aerosol cans (caps off), and scrap metal. Metal items should be free of food residue.
Batteries
Car batteries can be recycled for free at Fresno’s drop-off centers. Rechargeable batteries are accepted at participating stores for recycling or at the HHW Facility. Single-use alkaline batteries are not recyclable in Fresno and should be thrown in the regular trash.
Automotive products
Used motor oil and filters, antifreeze, and brake fluid can be recycled at drop-off centers. Tires are accepted during special collection events only – they cannot go in curbside bins. Auto parts are recyclable as scrap metal.
Electronics
Most electronics like computers, cell phones, and TVs can be recycled at Fresno’s drop-off centers or HHW facility. Many stores like Best Buy also collect electronics at no charge.
Appliances
Large appliances like refrigerators, stoves and water heaters are collected curbside through Fresno’s bulky item pickup program. Smaller electronics can go to drop-off centers. All recyclable appliances are dismantled for metal components.
Clothing, textiles, books
Used clothing and other fabric items can be donated for reuse or placed in special textile recycling bins located around Fresno. Hardcover and paperback books are accepted for recycling at drop-off locations as well.
What common items cannot be recycled in Fresno?
While Fresno has an extensive recycling program, there are many everyday materials that currently cannot be recycled locally. These unaccepted items include:
- Plastic bags and wrap
- Black plastic
- Plastic utensils
- Polystyrene foam
- Food and liquid waste
- Yard waste
- Diapers
- Batteries besides car and rechargeable
- Sharps and medical waste
- Hazardous waste
- Window glass and ceramics
Plastic bags can be recycled at participating retailers. Hazardous waste has special disposal at the Fresno HHW Facility. For other non-recyclable items, responsible waste disposal means placing them in the trash destined for the landfill.
How successful is Fresno at recycling?
Fresno has set a goal to recycle 75% of waste by the year 2025. As of 2021, the cumulative recycling rate for the city was around 38.5%. While this shows room for improvement, Fresno’s recycling rate has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Much of this growth has been driven by expansion of the city’s curbside pickup programs. Other initiatives like increased public education, commercial recycling requirements, and specialty diversion programs will help the city work towards its 75% goal. With the participation of citizens in recycling efforts, Fresno can continue improving its recycling performance.
Tips for recycling success
Follow these key tips for recycling properly in Fresno:
- Learn what’s accepted curbside and only put acceptable items in your cart
- Leave lids on bottles and jars, and don’t bag recyclables
- Flatten cardboard boxes
- Keep all materials clean and dry
- Utilize drop-off centers for expanded recycling
- Contact your waste hauler with any questions
The future of recycling in Fresno
Recycling programs across the U.S. have suffered challenges in recent years due to changing global recycling markets. Fresno is no exception. While some recycling services have been temporarily suspended, the city remains committed to improving and expanding recycling opportunities. Planned future initiatives include:
- Amending city code to standardize recycling standards
- Expanding types of plastics accepted curbside
- Enhancing eduction and outreach programs
- Increasing access to bulky item and e-waste collection
- Supporting development of local recycling processing infrastructure
Additionally, the state has set ambitious new recycling goals under Assembly Bill 341, targeting 75% diversion by 2020. Meeting these goals will require a joint effort between municipalities like Fresno and their residents. With participation by all members of the community, Fresno can build a sustainable recycling system and work towards a zero-waste future.
Conclusion
Fresno has made great strides in expanding recycling opportunities for its citizens. While not every material can currently be recycled locally, residents have many options for diverting common items from landfills. With the city’s curbside pickup program, drop-off centers, and special collections, Fresno is helping more households reduce waste through recycling. Continued development of recycling infrastructure and community participation will allow Fresno to make even more progress in the years to come.