Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Altadena
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services in unincorporated Altadena are provided by Universal Waste Systems (UWS) under contract with LA County and are billed quarterly in advance.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
A 25% senior discount is available for eligible senior residents (62+), and free roll-out cart assistance is offered for qualified elderly or disabled customers.
Black Bin (Trash)
Place carts 18 inches apart with handles and wheels facing the curb. Carts must not exceed 336 lbs for 96-gallon models. Set out between 5:00 p.m. the day before and 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household trash
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Ensure all recyclable materials are empty, clean, and dry. Do not place recyclables inside plastic bags; keep them completely loose in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and dry cardboard
- ✓Paper (junk mail, magazines, office paper)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Clean rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕E-waste
- ✕Hoses, cords, and tanglers
Yard Waste Bin
Materials can be placed loose, in paper bags, or in compostable plastic liners. Do not include pet waste, rocks, or treated wood.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass, leaves, and plant trimmings
- ✓Fruits and vegetables
- ✓Meat, dairy, and bones
- ✓Coffee grounds (no K-Cups)
- ✓Food-soiled paper
- ✓Compostable plastic liners
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
4 free bulky item pickups per year.
Placement
Place bulky items at your curb only after scheduling and confirming your pickup date with UWS customer service to avoid municipal fines for illegal dumping.
Accepted
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Furniture (under a 2-person lift requirement)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Rugs
- ✓ Bundled wood (no longer than 4 feet)
- ✓ E-waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction/demolition debris exceeding 2 bags/70 lbs
- ✕ Dirt and rocks
- ✕ Auto parts
Commercial customers do not receive free bulky collections; instead, they receive unlimited on-demand pickups for a flat rate of $35.00 per item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday (Monday-Friday), collection services for the remainder of the holiday week will be delayed by exactly one day. Friday customers will be serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
No exceptions. The green organics cart follows the exact same delayed holiday schedule as regular trash and recycling.
If a designated holiday falls on a weekend, your standard collection schedule remains completely unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing Christmas Day, UWS offers seasonal holiday tree collection for Altadena residents. Ensure your tree is stripped of all ornaments, lights, metal stands, and tinsel before placing it at the curb. Heavily flocked trees are typically treated as standard trash rather than green waste.
Spring
March - MayLos Angeles County Public Works and UWS frequently sponsor free mulch and compost giveaway events in the spring. Residents can collect nutrient-rich soil amendments generated directly from the community's green organic carts to use in their spring landscaping projects.
Summer/Fall
July - NovemberDuring Southern California's peak wildfire season and notorious Santa Ana wind events, ensure your cart lids remain tightly closed and securely latched. If you utilize the Kodiak bear-resistant carts, always lock the mechanism to prevent windblown debris from scattering across the foothills.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste Collection in Unincorporated Altadena
Because Altadena is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, residential waste services are governed by the LA County Public Works franchise system. Most neighborhoods are serviced by Athens Services, the primary franchise hauler for the area. This structured franchise system ensures that all residents receive consistent, high-quality trash, recycling, and organics collection while keeping the scenic foothill neighborhoods clean and compliant with California's strict environmental regulations.
Bear-Resistant Carts and Foothill Wildlife
A unique aspect of living in Altadena, nestled directly against the San Gabriel Mountains, is the frequent presence of local wildlife. Black bears and coyotes regularly roam residential streets looking for an easy meal. To combat this, residents can request specialized bear-resistant carts from their waste hauler. These heavy-duty bins feature specialized locking mechanisms that humans can open easily, but animals cannot. Keeping your waste secured not only keeps your property clean but also protects the local wildlife from habituation.
Morning Curbside Placement Rules
To guarantee your bins are emptied on your scheduled service day, Athens Services requires all carts to be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Position the containers in the street right against the curb, with the handles facing your property. It is critical to leave a three-foot gap between each cart and ensure they are clear of overhanging tree branches, parked vehicles, and mailboxes. Carts must be pulled back onto your private property by the end of the day.
The Blue Cart Recycling Protocol
Altadena’s recycling program is designed to keep valuable materials out of the Scholl Canyon Landfill. The blue cart is meant for unsoiled paper, flattened cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. One of the biggest issues facing the sorting facilities is film plastics, so please never put plastic grocery bags, shrink wrap, or bagged recyclables in the blue bin. Items should always be tossed in loosely so the automated sorting machines can process them effectively.
Composting Food and Yard Debris
In line with SB 1383, your green organics cart is for more than just lawn clippings and dry leaves. All food scraps—including dairy, meat, bones, fruit peels, and vegetable trimmings—must go into this container. Because Altadena has warm summers, odors can build up. A helpful neighborhood tip is to freeze your food scraps in a reusable container during the week and only dump them into the green cart the night before your scheduled collection.
Disposing of Bulky Waste and Electronics
Residents do not have to abandon broken furniture on the curb or haul it to the dump themselves. The LA County franchise agreement provides Altadena households with free curbside pickups for bulky items and electronic waste. You simply need to call Athens Services customer care at least 24 hours before your regular collection day to schedule the pickup. Acceptable items include old mattresses, sofas, refrigerators, and computer monitors.
Drop-off Facilities
Universal Resource Recovery Facility
9010 Norwalk Boulevard, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Materials Accepted
S.A.F.E. Center Los Angeles (Glendale Facility)
4600 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I replace a broken trash or recycling cart in Altadena?
You can contact Universal Waste Systems (UWS) customer service directly at (800) 631-7016 or via email. If your cart is damaged through normal wear and tear, UWS will schedule an exchange or repair at no additional cost.
How does the Altadena Bear-Resistant Cart Program work?
Because Altadena borders hillside wildlife habitats, residents can request free 96-gallon Kodiak bear-resistant carts to replace their standard black, blue, and green bins. These certified carts feature heavy-duty locking mechanisms to deter bears and protect both the animals and the community. Simply call UWS or (888) CleanLA to request the swap.
Does UWS offer a trash service discount for seniors or low-income residents?
Yes. A 25% senior discount is available for head-of-household residents 62 or older who either qualify for financial-need utility discounts or generate minimal waste and downsize to a 32-gallon trash cart. UWS also offers free roll-out service for elderly or disabled residents who cannot maneuver their bins to the curb.
What should I do with excess yard waste that doesn't fit in my green cart?
UWS allows Altadena residents to schedule an excess green waste pickup for up to 10 bags or bundles of landscaping debris, provided you make the request at least 24 hours in advance. Ensure any bundled branches are cut to less than four feet in length.