Manteca Standardizes Waste Collection With New Carts

The city mandates 96-gallon containers to streamline trash collection and protect vehicle equipment.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of three identical large, text-free waste carts standing in a neat row on concrete. — The city of Manteca has mandated a transition to standardized 96-gallon waste carts to streamline residential collection and improve mechanical equipment durability. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Manteca is moving all households to standardized 96-gallon carts for garbage, recycling, and organic waste collection. This shift aims to improve equipment durability and maintain operational efficiency across the city's waste services.

Why it matters

Standardizing cart sizes prevents mechanical issues caused by smaller bins and reduces recycling contamination, helping the city meet state waste reduction requirements. It also simplifies inventory management by limiting the variety of spare parts needed.

The city manages waste for 26,000 households and 1,000 commercial accounts using 35 trucks. Replacing a damaged 32-gallon cart costs $150, while each solid waste truck requires a $650,000 investment.

The players

City of Manteca

This local government authority manages municipal services and waste collection infrastructure for residents and businesses.

Lovelace Transfer Station

This facility serves as a critical site for the processing and disposal of waste collected by the municipal fleet.

The details

Smaller 32-gallon carts have frequently caused mechanical failures in truck hydraulic arms, prompting the transition to a uniform 96-gallon system. The city also mandates weekly collection to comply with California state regulations.

Battery drop-off is available at the city's solid waste office Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to noon.

Market Landscape

The transition to uniform cart systems follows California's state waste reduction requirements. This standardized approach positions the city to better manage its waste streams and operational costs compared to maintaining a fragmented fleet of varying container sizes.

Residents must transition to the new 96-gallon carts to ensure their waste is collected during the weekly pickup schedule. The city maintains a fixed monthly collection charge of $58.72 for households, with reduced rates available for qualifying low-income seniors.

The takeaway

Using the correct cart size helps prevent damage to truck equipment that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace. Residents are also reminded to drop off used batteries at the solid waste office to avoid potential fires in collection vehicles.