Green Can / Organic Waste Program

Organic Waste Collection


The City of Modesto uses a "2 Can" recycling program. The green can is for organic materials including yard waste, food waste, paper and cardboard products. This program has the potential to capture 70% of all residential waste with no additional cans or trucks needed! Please do your part to help the city of Modesto reach this goal. In 2014, residents recycled approximately 48,000 tons of organic waste, or 43% of the total tons of residential waste generated. The material is made into compost and made available to the community.

The Green Can "Cans"


  • 100 lb weight limit
  • Brush, tree limbs less than 4' long and 6" in diameter
  • Cardboard and all types of paper (newspaper, junk mail, computer paper, magazines, phone books, paper bags)
  • Food waste, including meat and bones
  • Grass, plant clippings and leaves
  • Lids must be completely closed
  • Untreated Christmas trees

The Green Can "Cant's"


  • No dirt, rocks, concrete or asphalt
  • No flocked, painted or fireproofed Christmas trees
  • No materials over 4' long or 6" in diameter
  • No open lids
  • No plastic bags, wires, cloth, carpet, or screen
  • No plastic-lined paper bags
  • No trash of any kind
  • No wood or lumber
  • Not to exceed 100 lb weight limit