Junk removal · Salida & Empire, CA
Junk removal in Salida and Empire
Salida and Empire are unincorporated, so their garbage rules come from Stanislaus County, not a city. Here's what the county program covers and where it stops.
Covers ZIPs 95368 (Salida) and 95319 (Empire).
What the county garbage program already covers
Unincorporated Stanislaus County is split into franchise areas served by Bertolotti, Gilton or Turlock Scavenger. Your bill shows which one you have, and the county can confirm at (209) 525-6700.
- Two bulky item pickups a year, by appointment, booked at least two weeks ahead.
- Appliances (doors off), mattresses and water heaters are accepted.
- Items go out after 6 pm the night before, at the edge of a county or state road.
Where it runs out
The county program is strict about what qualifies.
- No TVs or monitors, glass, wood, yard waste, construction debris, tires or business items.
- Nothing larger than 6 x 6 x 6 ft, and it has to sit at least 3 ft from your carts.
- Only garbage cart subscribers qualify. Bin customers aren't eligible.
Hauling it yourself? Here's where it goes
Both towns are a short drive from Modesto's transfer stations:
Gilton Resource Recovery, Modesto
800 S. McClure Rd · (209) 527-3781 · Mon–Fri 7:30–4, Sat–Sun 7–4:30. From July 1, 2026: $30 a car load, $50 a pickup or SUV, $20 per mattress, $45 per fridge.
Bertolotti Transfer Station
231 Flamingo Dr · (209) 537-4147 · Open Mon–Sat, call for hours. $92 a ton with a $35 minimum. Appliances and TVs $25 each plus weight. Mattresses free, up to 10.
When it makes sense to call Jake
When it's wood, yard debris, an old TV or a remodel's worth of debris, or when you can't wait two weeks for a slot. Jake and his crew carry it out and load it, priced by the cubic yard and usually within the week. Anything that still works gets donated.
When calling Jake is the wrong call
If it's an old fridge, a water heater or a mattress and you're a garbage subscriber, the county pickup will take it with two weeks' notice. Paint and chemicals go to the county hazardous waste facility on Morgan Rd in Modesto.
Text a photo. Get a price.
Send a picture of what needs to go and your address. You'll know the cost before anything starts.