Fresno Landfill and Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide (2026)
If you are cleaning out a garage, finishing a remodel, or just trying to get rid of old paint and batteries, it helps to know where Fresno’s trash and hazardous waste actually go. Here is what the Fresno landfill is called, where Fresno County residents can drop off household hazardous waste for free, and which items can never go in a rental dumpster no matter how it is loaded.
Where Does Fresno’s Trash Actually Go?
Most Fresno garbage ends up at the American Avenue Disposal Site, the regional landfill operated by the County of Fresno at 18950 W. American Avenue, Kerman, CA, near the small community of San Joaquin. City of Fresno gray-cart trash is first sorted at the Cedar Avenue Receiving and Transfer Station (CARTS) before the remainder is hauled out to American Avenue. The site is permitted to accept most types of solid waste and recycling, along with used tires for a small per-tire fee.
One common mix-up worth clearing up: searches for “Avenal landfill” often turn up a facility in the city of Avenal, which is roughly 55 miles southwest of Fresno in Kings County, not Fresno County. It is a separate operation from the American Avenue Disposal Site, so if you are disposing of waste from a Fresno job, American Avenue is the facility that actually serves this area.
How Do You Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in Fresno?
Fresno County runs a Regional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at 1327 West Dan Ronquillo Drive, Fresno, CA 93706, at the corner of West Avenue and Dan Ronquillo Drive on the same American Avenue Disposal Site property. Residential drop-off is free and open Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., no appointment needed. Businesses can drop off hazardous waste by appointment, with a disposal fee, by calling (877) 235-3005.
The facility accepts household items such as:
- Gasoline, diesel, kerosene and propane tanks
- Car batteries, household batteries and fluorescent bulbs
- Motor oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid
- Paint, stain, varnish and paint stripper
- Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer and wood preservatives
- Pool chemicals, oven cleaner and other caustic household cleaners
Residential loads are limited to 15 gallons or 125 pounds. If you have a larger amount or an unusual item, call the facility directly at (559) 600-4259 before you load up the car.
What About Construction and Demolition Debris?
Construction and demolition debris, drywall, lumber, roofing material, concrete and the bulk of a home renovation or demolition load is handled differently from household hazardous waste. That is exactly what a roll-off dumpster is built for. See our construction dumpster rental and demolition dumpster rental pages for how we size a container to that type of job, and whether a permit applies.
What Can Never Go in a Rental Dumpster?
Regardless of which landfill a dumpster’s contents end up at, household hazardous waste cannot legally be loaded into a rental dumpster. That includes paint, batteries, fuel, pool chemicals, pesticides, tires, and similar items from the list above. They need to go to the Fresno County HHW facility instead. For the full breakdown of what is and is not allowed, see our what can go in a dumpster guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Name of the Fresno Landfill?
The regional landfill serving Fresno is the American Avenue Disposal Site, operated by the County of Fresno at 18950 W. American Avenue, Kerman, CA. It is not the same facility as the landfill in Avenal, which is in Kings County.
Is Hazardous Waste Disposal Free in Fresno County?
Yes, for residents. The Fresno County Household Hazardous Waste Facility accepts residential drop-offs at no cost on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Businesses pay a disposal fee and need an appointment.
Can I Put Old Paint or Batteries in My Rental Dumpster?
No. Paint, batteries, fuel and other hazardous items need to go to the Fresno County HHW facility, not a rental dumpster. Everything else from a typical cleanout, renovation or demolition project is generally fine to load. Call us at (559) 729-8023 if you are not sure where a specific item belongs.
Have a project that mixes regular debris with items you are not sure about? Call (559) 729-8023 and we will tell you honestly what belongs in the dumpster and what needs to go to the county facility instead.
