Black Bin (Trash)
All non-hazardous, non-recyclable refuse must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Place carts curbside by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, spaced at least one foot apart and away from cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Pet waste (bagged)
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packing
- ✓Treated wood and palm fronds
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics (utensils, film)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. All items must be empty, clean, dry, and tossed loosely into the blue cart. Flatten all cardboard to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Junk mail and catalogs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (pizza boxes)
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Liquids or food residue
Yard Waste Bin
Place organic materials directly into the green cart. Plastic bags of any kind (including "compostable" or "bio-degradable" plastics) are strictly prohibited, as they jam the Anaerobic Digester.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and small unpainted branches
- ✓Kitchen food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, veggies)
- ✓Coffee grounds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free pick-ups per calendar year for standard single-family residential accounts.
Placement
Items must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pick-up day, well clear of vehicles and fire hydrants.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and desks
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and appliances
- ✓ E-waste (TVs, monitors, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕ Car parts and batteries
Single-family residents receive two free pick-ups per year; multi-family/HOA properties coordinate through property managers. Additional pick-ups can be arranged for a nominal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday-Friday), your regular collection day will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The holiday delay applies equally to all bins: trash, recycling, and organics.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no service delay and the regular pickup schedule remains unchanged.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Zero Tolerance for 'Bio' Bags
Because Aliso Viejo's organic waste is processed in an Anaerobic Digester rather than an open-air compost pile, so-called 'compostable' or 'bio-degradable' plastic bags are strictly forbidden. They cannot be digested and will contaminate the renewable gas process.
Palm Fronds Go in the Trash
Although they come from your yard, palm fronds, cactus, and succulents are incredibly fibrous or retain too much moisture. They cannot be properly processed with standard organics and must be thrown into the black trash cart.
Keep Film Plastics Out of the Blue Bin
Never put plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, or shrink wrap into the blue recycling cart. These film plastics easily get tangled in the mechanical sorting gears at the Materials Recovery Facility. Return them to local grocery stores instead.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the holidays, CR&R provides curbside Christmas tree recycling. All ornaments, tinsel, and stands must be removed. Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half. Flocked trees cannot be recycled and will be collected as trash.
Summer
June - AugustDuring warm Orange County summers, odors can build up in your green organics cart. To mitigate pests, consider storing your food scraps in a freezer-safe bin indoors and only transferring them to the green cart on the morning of collection.
Autumn
September - NovemberFall pruning generates excess yard waste. If you run out of space in your green cart, do not put yard trimmings in the blue or black carts. Contact CR&R to inquire about temporary extra service or scheduling a special pickup.
About Aliso Viejo Waste Management
State-of-the-Art Anaerobic Digestion for Organics
Aliso Viejo is at the forefront of California's organics recycling revolution. Under the SB 1383 mandate, all food scraps and yard trimmings collected in your green cart are transported to CR&R's advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility in Perris, California. Rather than just making compost, this high-tech facility converts organic matter into renewable natural gas—the cleanest fuel produced in the state—powering the very collection trucks that service your neighborhood.
Protecting the Pacific: The Stormwater Connection
In Aliso Viejo, the city reminds residents that 'the ocean starts at your front door.' The local Stormwater Program heavily emphasizes proper residential waste disposal, especially for pet wastes and landscaping runoff. Dropping unbagged pet waste in your black landfill cart—rather than the green organics bin or flushing it down the toilet—ensures harmful bacteria never wash down the storm drains into local creeks or Orange County beaches.
Tailored Solutions for HOAs and Single-Family Homes
Because a large portion of Aliso Viejo consists of master-planned communities and multi-family complexes, the city and CR&R offer highly tailored waste guides. Single-family homes utilize the standard automated three-cart system, while HOAs and apartment communities have access to specialized scout and push-out services to navigate tight enclosures, ensuring everyone has equitable access to recycling and organics diversion.
Responsible E-Waste and Universal Waste Collection
Aliso Viejo prohibits electronic waste and universal waste (like fluorescent tubes and household batteries) in any standard curbside cart due to their toxic heavy metals. Fortunately, CR&R allows residents to include E-waste items—such as old televisions, computers, and cell phones—in their scheduled bulky item pick-ups, making responsible recycling convenient.
Drop-off Facilities
Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (Irvine)
6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618
Materials Accepted
Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (San Juan Capistrano)
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides residential trash collection in Aliso Viejo?
CR&R Environmental Services is the exclusive franchised solid waste hauler for the City of Aliso Viejo, providing trash, recycling, and organics collection for both residents and businesses.
Can I put my food waste in plastic bags before throwing it in the green cart?
No. Aliso Viejo’s organic waste is sent to a high-tech Anaerobic Digester in Perris, CA, which cannot break down plastics of any kind. Even bags labeled 'compostable' or 'bio-degradable' are strictly prohibited and will contaminate the process.
How can I get rid of an old refrigerator or couch in Aliso Viejo?
Single-family residents are generally entitled to two free bulky item pickups per year. You must call CR&R Customer Service at (877) 728-0446 in advance to schedule the collection. Multi-family residents should check with their HOA or property manager for their community's specific bulky pickup protocol.
Where should I dispose of used batteries and old paint?
It is illegal to place Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) or Universal Waste in any curbside bin. Aliso Viejo residents can drop off these items for free at any Orange County HHW Collection Center, with the closest locations being in Irvine (Oak Canyon) or San Juan Capistrano (Avenida La Pata).