Green Barrel with Black Lid Bin (Trash)
Use the black-lidded barrel for all non-recyclable and non-compostable refuse. Lids must close completely to prevent desert winds from scattering debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clothing and diapers
- ✓Dishware and ceramics
- ✓Hoses and plastic toys
- ✓Paper towels and wipes
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✓Window glass
Blue Barrel Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose inside the blue barrel. Do not bag your recyclables, and ensure all containers are lightly rinsed and empty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aerosol cans (empty)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Cardboard and cartons
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓#1-#7 Plastics
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Food waste must be placed in a tied plastic bag before being put in the green barrel. Do not bag your yard trimmings; those can be mixed in loosely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged food waste (meat, dairy, produce)
- ✓Birds of Paradise and brush
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and flowers
- ✓Shrub trimmings and small branches
- ✓Untreated wood and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available by appointment.
Placement
Place your scheduled bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated special collection day, keeping them clear of your standard barrels and vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, desks)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Business or commercial waste
- ✕ Biohazardous or radioactive waste
- ✕ Loose debris not properly containerized
Contact Burrtec Customer Service at (760) 245-8607 to confirm your annual free allowances and any potential fees for excess items.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash collection.
If the holiday actually falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays, and regular weekday service days apply.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag your food scraps, but not your recyclables
Burrtec requires you to seal food waste in standard plastic bags before placing them in the green organics barrel. However, never put bagged recyclables or loose plastic film into the blue recycling barrel, as it jams the sorting machines.
Keep hazardous materials out of High Desert landfills
Batteries, motor oil, and paint cannot go into any curbside barrel. Bring these items to the Nomwaket Road HHW facility on Saturdays to prevent dangerous collection truck fires.
No bulky items in the barrels
Stuffing oversized items like lumber, large auto parts, or electronics into your automated barrels can damage the collection trucks. Always schedule a bulky item pickup for these larger materials.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryBurrtec provides curbside Christmas tree recycling from December 26th through January 7th. Place bare trees at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half, and flocked or artificial trees are not accepted.
Year-Round
January - DecemberThe high desert often experiences intense wind events. During windy days, avoid overfilling your barrels, ensure the lids are firmly shut, and bring the barrels back from the curb as soon as possible after collection.
Spring
March - MayThe Town of Apple Valley actively supports community gardening by occasionally providing free compost or mulch. Composting organic material collected from the green barrels helps produce this quality soil amendment.
About Apple Valley Waste Management
Navigating Apple Valley's Burrtec Waste Collection Services
The Town of Apple Valley partners with Burrtec Waste Industries for residential solid waste collection. While the town manages your utility billing, Burrtec handles the physical automated three-barrel system, which includes a green barrel with a black lid for trash, a blue barrel for recyclables, and a standard green barrel for yard waste and organics. Carts should be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, ensuring there is plenty of clearance between the barrels and any parked cars.
The Unique Food Waste Bagging Rule for SB 1383
In response to California's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, Apple Valley has a very specific and somewhat unique protocol for food scraps. Unlike many municipalities that explicitly ban plastic bags in the organics cart, Burrtec requires residents to collect food waste in a separate plastic-lined container and tie the bag securely before tossing it into the green organics barrel. You can reuse standard plastic grocery, produce, or bread bags—they do not need to be compostable.
Convenient Curbside Bulky Item Pickups
If you are clearing out your garage or upgrading your furniture, Burrtec provides curbside bulky item pickups for Apple Valley residents. This service covers large items that cannot fit in your standard trash barrel, such as mattresses, sofas, appliances, and electronic waste. You must contact Burrtec customer service directly at (760) 245-8607 to schedule an appointment for these pickups to ensure a specialized truck is dispatched.
Year-Round Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Properly disposing of dangerous chemicals, old paint, and batteries is essential to keeping the high desert environment safe. The Town of Apple Valley operates a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility located at 13450 Nomwaket Road. Open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., this drop-off site accepts liquid materials up to a 15-gallon maximum limit and solid materials up to 125 pounds per visit.
Drop-off Facilities
Apple Valley Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
13450 Nomwaket Road, Apple Valley, CA 92308
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of food waste in Apple Valley?
Unlike many California cities, Burrtec requires Apple Valley residents to place their food scraps (meat, dairy, produce) into a plastic bag, tie it securely, and then place it into the green organics barrel alongside loose yard trimmings.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste like old paint and pesticides?
Apple Valley residents can take up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds of household hazardous waste to the HHW facility located at 13450 Nomwaket Road. It is open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
How do I schedule a bulk item pickup for an old mattress?
Residents can schedule curbside bulky item pickups for large items like mattresses, furniture, and appliances by contacting Burrtec Waste Industries customer service directly at (760) 245-8607.
Who handles my trash billing in Apple Valley?
While Burrtec Waste Industries is the contracted hauler that provides the physical collection of your trash, recycling, and organics, the services are actually billed directly through the Town of Apple Valley.