How often does Modesto perform garbage can inspections? Here’s what city officials say
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Talking Trash in Modesto
A multi-part series by The Modesto Bee
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How often does Modesto perform garbage can inspections? Here’s what city officials say
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Editor’s note: This is the second in a multi-part series about waste disposal in the Modesto area.
In Modesto, managing your garbage isn’t as simple as tossing it out.
The city has strict rules for sorting waste — from food scraps to milk cartons — and regular inspections are performed to ensure everyone is following the guidelines.
A Modesto Bee reader asked our reporters, who are answering questions about waste disposal: “When do the inspections start?”
Here’s what officials with the city of Modesto said:
When does Modesto conduct garbage can inspections?
In a email statement to The Bee, the city said garbage can inspections are performed to comply with state regulations aimed at reducing container contamination.
Senate Bill 1383, which went into effect in 2022, requires cities, counties and other jurisdictions to “provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses,” according to the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery.
The city of Modesto carries out random container inspections in neighborhoods “to ensure people are sorting waste into the appropriate containers,” it said.
Modesto provides residents with three bins: green, black and blue.
According to the city website, the green bin is for organic material, and the black bin is for household garbage. The blue recycling bin is for plastic, glass, metal and clean cardboard containers, including those that qualify for the California Redemption Value program.
The city said it “randomly selects addresses from each collection route, then inspects those containers on service day before the hauler collects.”
The city said each route must be inspected at least once a year.
“SB 1383 requires that the city inspect at minimum 1% of all waste containers annually and provide education to those with contaminated containers to remain in compliance,” the city wrote.
Inspections are conducted on at least 2,850 residential garbage bins and a minimum of 125 commercial accounts each year.
“Contamination in containers can result in recyclable, compostable waste having to be landfilled instead of processed and reused,” the city said. “This prevents us from extending the life of regional landfills, increases methane emissions and wasting valuable reusable resources like glass, metal, plastic, and organics.”
How does Modesto inspect trash containers?
In Modesto, waste container inspections are conducted by city staffers or interns, the city wrote in the email.
During each inspection, city employees lift the lid of the container and check for contamination, according to the city website.
Some garbage trucks in Modesto also have cameras in their hoppers to help with inspections.
“Drivers watch the cameras to check that the bin is being fully emptied and for hazardous materials that could be dangerous in the truck,” the city said. “If the haulers see a contaminated container before collection, they tag it and do not service the container.”
The tag includes instructions to clean the contamination and contact the city for reinspection.
Until the contamination is cleared and the city conducts its reinspection, the container remains on hold for pickup.
“Normal service resumes after that or if one month passes with no action,” the city said. “As long as contamination has been removed before the city inspects it, there is no fine associated with contamination at this time.”
What are penalties for not properly sorting waste in Modesto?
Repeated contamination or failure to remove improper materials upon reinspection can lead to administrative penalties and fines, city officials previously told The Bee.
Failing the reinspection can result in a $100 fine for the first offense, with fines escalating up to $25,000 for repeated violations.
What questions do you have about Modesto’s waste systems?
Trash is an unavoidable part of daily life in Modesto, but what happens after it’s collected remains a mystery for many.
Modesto, we’re here to answer your questions on waste, whether they’re about trash sorting, landfills or anything in between.
The Modesto Bee wants to know what’s on your mind.
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing The Bee’s Angela Rodriguez at arodriguez@modbee.com, writing to our service journalism desk at servicejournalists@modbee.com, or filling out the form below.
You may be contacted by a Modesto Bee reporter.
