Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Aliso Viejo
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 waste and recycling services in Aliso Viejo are provided by CR&R Environmental Services, and residents are entitled to up to three free bulky item pickups per calendar year.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% Senior Discount is available for heads of household aged 65 and older who receive supplemental Social Security benefits.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Partnership with CR&R Environmental Services
Aliso Viejo contracts with CR&R Environmental Services to handle all residential solid waste and recycling needs. Homeowners are provided a trio of color-coded bins to efficiently manage their weekly household output. To determine your specific neighborhood's collection day, the CR&R website offers an interactive lookup map. If you are newly settled in the city or moving into a newly constructed property, reaching out to their dispatch office is the fastest way to get your initial cart delivery scheduled.
The Mechanics of Curbside Setup
To ensure the automated mechanical trucks can safely and swiftly empty your containers, proper spacing is absolutely essential. CR&R requires that all bins be wheeled out to the street edge by 6:30 a.m. at the latest on your collection day. Please align the carts side-by-side with a minimum of three feet between them. Keep the wheels braced firmly against the curb and the lid hinges facing your property, while steering clear of any low-hanging branches, fire hydrants, or parked cars.
Tackling Food Waste and Organics
With California's SB 1383 legislation in full effect, keeping kitchen scraps out of the local landfill is a major environmental priority for Aliso Viejo. Your green organics cart is intended for all yard trimmings, as well as meat bones, vegetable peels, and coffee grounds. CR&R advises against using standard plastic bags for these items. Instead, residents should utilize certified compostable liners or simply layer their food remnants directly between dry yard clippings to naturally suppress any odors.
Scheduling Oversized Item Collections
Disposing of an old sofa or a broken dining table does not have to be a stressful endeavor. CR&R grants Aliso Viejo single-family residences up to four complimentary oversized item pickups every calendar year. Rather than abandoning heavy furniture on the sidewalk, simply call the hauler's service desk a few days ahead of your standard trash day to reserve a retrieval slot. Take note that these special collections exclude heavy construction debris, dirt, and liquid paints.
Seasonal Service Interruptions
Throughout the year, major celebrations like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July can slightly alter the standard route schedule. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all subsequent curbside pickups for that week will be pushed back by exactly one day. When in doubt, the city’s digital newsletter and CR&R’s online portal consistently post seasonal reminders to keep residents completely informed of any impending logistical delays.
Safeguarding the Environment from Toxins
Throwing away old cell phones, pool chemicals, lithium batteries, or fluorescent tubes in your regular refuse cart poses a massive safety risk. To protect local sanitation crews and regional groundwater, Aliso Viejo residents are encouraged to bring their household hazardous waste to the nearby Orange County HHW Collection Center located in San Juan Capistrano. This convenient regional facility safely accepts and neutralizes volatile chemicals free of charge for all local residents.
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).