Riverside County Landfills

Depending on certain circumstances, this waste may be accepted at Riverside County Landfills based on type of waste described below.

Locations & hours

Fee schedule:  Routine refuse disposal rates apply to small animal carcasses.  The Hard to Handle rate applies to Large Animal Carcasses/Large Quantities and Diseased Animal Carcasses.

Small Animal Carcasses

Individual dead animals weighing less than 15 pounds may be disposed in the general waste stream. Small dead animals must be in sealed waste containers or bags prior to arriving at the landfill. The sealed container or bag must be of sufficient strength to resist breakage under normal transportation and unloading activities. If the carcasses are from animals that have died as a result of a disease that is transferable to humans, advanced notice and approval are required (See Diseased Animal Carcasses).

Large Animal Carcasses/Large Quantities

All loads of dead animal carcasses weighing more than 15 pounds or larger quantities of animal carcasses require pre-approval by Waste Approval Staff of the Environmental Compliance Section.

Dead animal carcasses weighing more than 15 pounds or large quantities of animal carcasses require immediate burial. Carcasses from animals that have died as a result of a disease which is transferable to humans require advanced notice and approval (See Diseased Animal Carcasses).

Customers must inform the landfill Gate Service Assistant (GSA) that they are disposing of a large animal carcass/large quantities that requires immediate burial. All customers with loads requiring immediate burial are subject to delays while site personnel arrange burial locations.

Waste loads must be covered in a manner so that the animal carcass or load of carcasses is not visible to the general public. The cover on the transport vehicle must remain on until landfill staff directs the driver to remove the cover and unload the animal carcass waste. Alternatively, the carcasses may be sealed in containers or bags so that the carcass waste is not visible when dumped. The sealed container or bag must be of sufficient strength to resist breakage under normal transportation and unloading activities.

Sources of large animal carcasses or large quantities of animal carcasses include:

• Residential Farms

• Veterinary Clinics/Animal Shelters

• Commercial Facilities - The Department recommends that facilities that generate large quantities of animal carcasses or carcass waste from meat and poultry industries contract with licensed rendering facilities whenever possible. When rendering plants are not possible, commercial facilities must get prior approval of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Diseased Animal Carcasses

Diseased animal carcasses may be accepted on a case-by-case basis and only with prior approval of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Please contact the Department directly at 951-486-3200.