Manteca is now accepting specific large trash items at three locations at no charge due to the county closing public access to the Lovelace Transfer Station north of town.

The decision to offer the free drop-off was prompted by a significant uptick in illegal dumping around town such as in alleys since the county started barring non-commercial drop-offs at the transfer station two weeks ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also was prompted by an increase in the number of people who are now forced to stay home that are doing projects around their house or else are doing spring cleaning.
The drop-off sites are available to Manteca residents only. They are being placed Monday through Friday from 5 to 11 a.m. at Northgate Park, 1750 Hoyt Lane; the Manteca Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.; and the Manteca Solid Waste Division, 210 Wetmore St. Non-Manteca residents are not permitted to make use of the service.

You can drop off extra garbage bags, bulky items, appliances, and furniture.

Large yard waste, tires, electronics, and items such as paint and batteries cannot be dropped off at the sites.

If tree limbs and branches are cut into three foot lengths and bundled and then placed next to the green cart, city crews will pick them up on your regular collection date.

Tires will be accepted at the next free Shred-It event. The event that had been scheduled for this weekend is being postponed until later this summer.

Electronic waste needs to be taken to the Wetmore location where there is a collection bin. The Wetmore site also has a collection bin for recycling cardboard that has been broken down.

Medical sharps can be dropped off in bins in the police department lobby where there is also a bin for unwanted prescriptions as well as over the counter medication. You can call the solid waste office to make arrangements to drop them off at the Wetmore location where you will be provided a container for their safe placement.

Batteries such as those used in flashlights, remote controls, and such can be left in bags outside the solid waste office door. Used light bulbs are accepted at the Manteca Home Depot just inside the entrance at no charge.

The city is still distributing 2-yard bins to household customers during the pandemic providing they haven’t already taken advantage this year of the one annual free drop-off. Larger bins are also available for rent by going online. They are dropped on one day and then picked up the next work day.

The temporary free drop off of larger items at the three locations will be periodically inspected by city workers from the time they are dropped off until they are collected each day.

You will need to bring your own helpers to assist in properly disposing of your waste inside the bins.

If you have questions, contact the Solid Waste Division at (209) 456-8440.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com