Will Fourth of July change trash pickups in Modesto? What to know before holiday
From backyard barbecues to neighborhood fireworks, celebrating the Fourth of July in Modesto often leaves behind plenty of trash.
Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, in 2026.
Millions of Californians are expected to celebrate the holiday, filling garbage and recycling bins with everything from food containers to party decorations.
As businesses and government offices observe the federal holiday, Modesto residents might be wondering whether their curbside trash collection will be affected.
Here’s what to know about Fourth of July garbage pickup in Modesto:
Who handles garbage pickup in Stanislaus County?
According to the Stanislaus County website, three franchised garbage collection companies serve the area.
Bertolotti Disposal Service, Gilton Solid Waste Management and Turlock Scavenger provide both residential and commercial garbage services throughout the county.
Each company operates within a “designated franchise area,” which determines the locations where they are authorized to provide service.
When is my trash collection day in Stanislaus County?
Trash collection takes place Monday through Saturday throughout Stanislaus County, according to the county website.
Your pickup day depends on where you live and which waste hauler serves your neighborhood.
In Modesto, curbside service is provided by Gilton Solid Waste Management and Bertolotti Disposal Service.
“Each hauler has an exclusive service area as deemed by the Modesto City Council,” the city said.
Bertolotti Disposal Service also handles trash pickup in the cities of Salida, Keyes, Patterson, Ceres, Crows Landing, Grayson, Newman and Westley.
Gilton Solid Waste Management provides service in Hughson, Riverbank, Waterford, Oakdale, Knights Ferry and Valley Home.
Residents in Turlock, Denair, Empire, Hickman and La Grange receive trash and recycling service through Turlock Scavenger.
You can check the Stanislaus County website to confirm your trash pickup day.
Will Fourth of July delay trash pickup in Modesto?
Since Independence Day falls on a Saturday, city officials said, Modesto’s regular trash and recycling collection schedule “will not be affected by the holiday.”
Although Modesto city offices will observe the holiday on Friday, July 3, the city said, curbside garbage service will continue as scheduled.
“With the actual holiday being on Saturday, it will not interfere with the regular collection schedule,” the city said.
Which holidays do waste haulers observe in Stanislaus County?
According to the Stanislaus County website, contracted waste haulers only observe the following four holidays each year:
- New Year’s Day: Jan. 1
- Independence Day: July 4
- Thanksgiving Day: The fourth Thursday of November
- Christmas Day: Dec. 25
When one of those holidays falls on a weekday, pickups are typically pushed back one day for the remainder of the week.
“Holidays that land on a weekday push our residential and commercial pickup schedules back one day with regular schedules resuming the following week,” Gilton Solid Waste Management said.
