Waste & Recycling Events

Bulky Waste & Electronic Waste Recycling Collections
Bulky Waste Collection Events have been hosted by the Kern County Public Works Department for over 20 years in the Metro Bakersfield area. As of 2020, the Kern County Public Works Department has decided to expand its Bulky Waste/Large Item Collection Events to include unincorporated communities to reach residents living in the outlying County areas. During the events, residents can bring unwanted bulky household items such as appliances and furniture to a convenient designated location(s) for recycling and disposal. California law states that Electronic Waste (E-Waste) must be recycled. Residents may also bring in their E-Waste to these collection events and any of the County operated facilities. Click here for information about E-Waste Collection options.
Upcoming Events: |
Date | Location | Time | Details |
EVENT POSTPONED - EVENTO CANCELADO HASTA NUEVO AVISO
| |||
March 11, 2023 | Lost Hills - North of Lost Hills Park | 8 AM to 12 PM | Flyer |
March 18, 2023 | Mojave - Mojave Jr./Sr. High School | 8 AM to 12 PM | Flyer |

One-Day Residential Hazardous Waste Collection
The Public Works Department sponsors several Residential Hazardous Waste Collection Events, in outlying areas, each year. During these half-day opportunities, residents have the chance to bring left-over residential hazardous waste for safe and easy disposal/recycling. If you have residential hazardous waste, these locations and dates might be the opportunity you’ve been looking for to get it off your hands and safely out of your home.
*Business waste NOT accepted. Collection events may be canceled due to weather conditions.
Click Here for information about the type of materials that are accepted and transportation/handling guidelines

Clean California Tire Drop Off Events
The Kern County Public Works Department has partnered with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in their Clean California Initiative to hold Tire Drop Off Events. During the events, residents can bring in tires for FREE to the designated County Landfill diversion area(s) until capacity is reached. Click here for information about the Clean California Initiative.
When transporting tires, follow these guidelines:
- Per California law, transport only 9 tires at a time.
- Tires must have rims removed.
- Residential tires only. No commercial waste.
- No earthmover/oversized tires.
- To prevent litter, loads must be tarped for transport.
Upcoming Events: |
Date | Location | Time | Details |
February 18, 2023 | Shafter-Wasco Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | Flyer |
Taft Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | ||
March 18, 2023 | Bena Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | Flyer |
March 25, 2023 | Shafter-Wasco Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | Flyer |
Taft Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | ||
April 22, 2023 | Boron Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | |
Kern Valley Transfer Station | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | ||
Mojave-Rosamond Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | ||
Ridgecrest Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) | ||
Tehachapi Landfill | 8 AM to 4 PM (or until capacity is reached) |

Community Outreach & Education
Kern County Public Works Department staff members participate in community and business events, street fairs, and public speaking opportunities to get the department's message to the general public.
2023 Events:

Keep Kern Beautiful Events
Keep Kern Beautiful clean-up events are coordinated with volunteers from community organizations such as churches, schools, civic groups, businesses, and others that want to make Kern County the best that it can be. For more information about Keep Kern Beautiful, click here.
Upcoming Keep Kern Beautiful Events:
Upcoming Keep Kern Beautiful Meetings:
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 2-3 p.m. Click on the link above for details.