Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Alhambra
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential refuse and recycling are provided and billed directly by Republic Services on a quarterly advance basis rather than through city water bills.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
A reduced rate discount ($8.34 quarterly / $2.78 monthly) is available for qualifying low-income residential customers through the City Manager's office.
Black Bin (Trash)
Use the black cart for all non-recyclable, non-compostable household refuse. Ensure the lid is completely closed, and place the cart at the curb on your assigned service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Diapers and bathroom tissue paper
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Particle board and treated/painted wood
- ✓Compostable plastics
- ✓Pet waste and dog poop
- ✓Cold ashes and briquettes
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be relatively clean and dry. Do not bag your recyclables. Cardboard boxes must be broken down and flattened before placement.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass jars and bottles (tops removed)
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Tetra Pak cartons (milk and juice)
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Dry food boxes (inner plastic bags removed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tissue box plastic inserts
- ✕Plastic windows from pasta boxes
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put standard plastic bags, palm fronds, pet waste, or large amounts of dirt and rocks in the green container. Layer wet food waste with dry yard trimmings to prevent sticking.
Accepted Items
- ✓Raw and cooked food scraps (meat, dairy, bread)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✓Grass, leaves, weeds, and brush
- ✓Tree trimmings (under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
- ✓Untreated and unpainted wood
- ✓Certified biodegradable bags
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available weekly on your regular collection day.
Placement
Place items curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day, ensuring they don't block sidewalks or driveways. Do not set items out before noon the preceding day to avoid Code Enforcement notices.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Non-freon appliances
- ✓ Large bundles of yard waste (under 50 lbs and 4 ft length)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (unless scheduled in advance)
- ✕ Car bodies and automotive parts
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
The pickup is free for residents, provided it is within the 6-item limit. More than 6 items require advanced scheduling and may necessitate a roll-off service charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays in service, and regular collection days apply.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryRepublic Services provides curbside holiday tree recycling starting the day after Christmas through the second Friday in January. Trees are picked up on your regular collection day by a different truck. Remove all decorations and stands, and cut trees over 6 feet in half.
Spring
March - MayOrganic waste collected in Alhambra's green bins is processed into nutrient-rich compost. The city periodically gives this finished compost back to the community for free during scheduled Alhambra Recycles Events, perfect for spring gardening.
Autumn
October - NovemberAs yard maintenance increases during the fall, ensure branches placed in the green cart are shorter than 4 feet and less than 6 inches in diameter. Oversized branches can jam the automated collection arms.
Local Tips & Community Info
Alhambra Trash and Recycling Pickup Overview
Republic Services is the designated solid waste management provider for the City of Alhambra, managing all residential and commercial trash collection. To keep the community clean and sustainable, the city utilizes a standard three-cart system: a black bin for regular landfill garbage, a blue bin for recyclables, and a green bin for organics and yard waste. Collections occur on a weekly basis, and residents must have their containers placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled pickup day. Understanding your local collection schedule is essential for keeping neighborhoods tidy. If you are unsure of your specific collection route, you can verify your service day on the Republic Services website or by reaching out to their customer support.
Proper Bin Placement and Sorting Guidelines
For smooth and efficient automated collection, proper bin placement is critical. Always place your carts facing the street with the wheels positioned directly against the curb or gutter. Ensure there is at least two feet of clearance between each container and five feet of space away from parked cars, mailboxes, or trees. Lids must be securely closed; materials should never overflow past the rim. Be careful to sort your waste properly. Clean cardboard, paper, glass bottles, and rigid plastics belong in the blue recycling cart. Avoid placing hazardous materials, construction debris, dirt, hot ashes, or rocks in any of the residential bins, as these require specialized hazardous waste disposal.
Organics and Green Waste Recycling (SB 1383)
In compliance with California’s SB 1383 mandate, Alhambra residents must separate organic waste from regular trash. The green organics cart is intended for yard trimmings, including leaves, grass, brush, weeds, and small tree branches under four feet in length. In addition to yard waste, all food scraps must also be deposited into the green bin to help reduce landfill emissions. Please note that compostable or biodegradable plastics, such as utensils or green-striped cups, are not accepted in the organics cart at the local composting facility and must be placed in the black trash bin instead.
Bulk Waste Collection Services
Disposing of large, cumbersome items like old furniture, mattresses, or appliances is simple for Alhambra residents. Single-family homes and multi-family complexes of five or more units are eligible for convenient bulky item collection. Residents can place acceptable large items on the curb during their regular trash collection day without the need for prior scheduling. However, it is essential to ensure that discarded items do not obstruct public right-of-ways, sidewalks, or driveways. For bundled items such as carpet or branches, ensure they do not exceed four feet in length and weigh no more than 50 pounds per bundle.
Holiday Schedule and Missed Pickups
Republic Services observes major national holidays, which may result in a one-day delay in your regular refuse collection. Typically, if a holiday falls on a weekday, all subsequent collections for that week are pushed back by one day, with Friday pickups occurring on Saturday. If your bins were set out properly by 6:00 a.m. but were not serviced, you can easily report a missed pickup. Reach out to Republic Services customer service at 800-299-4898 to request a return trip. Additionally, if you plan to be away, the provider offers temporary vacation holds for up to four weeks annually at no extra cost to residents.
Drop-off Facilities
SOS Recycling Center
5540 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90032
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to schedule a bulky item pickup in Alhambra?
As of April 2023, if you have 6 or fewer standard bulky items (like furniture or mattresses), you do not need to schedule a pickup. You can simply place them at the curb on your normal trash day. However, if you have more than 6 items or any electronic waste, you must contact Republic Services in advance.
Are compostable plastics allowed in the green organics bin?
No. Even if a plastic item is labeled 'compostable,' Alhambra requires it to be placed in the black trash container. Only certified biodegradable bags or simple brown paper bags can be used to hold food scraps inside the green cart.
How do I properly recycle wine or alcohol bottles?
Rinse out the bottles first. If the bottles have traditional corks, you can leave the corks inside the bottle. However, if they have metal or plastic screw tops, you must remove the screw tops and place them loosely in the blue recycling cart separate from the bottle.
Is there a discounted trash rate for low-income residents in Alhambra?
Yes, the City of Alhambra offers reduced trash rates for eligible low-income households based on HUD limits. Approved residents can receive a discount on their quarterly Republic Services bill. Applications must be submitted with proper tax or Social Security documentation directly to the City Manager's office.