Gray or Black Cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts on the street with wheels against the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Keep carts at least 3 feet away from vehicles, mailboxes, and each other.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Chip bags and snack wrappers
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Fats, oils, and grease (sealed in a container)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be unbagged, clean, and dry. Break down and flatten all cardboard boxes to maximize cart space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕E-waste
Yard Waste Bin
Never use plastic bags for organic waste. Place all food scraps and yard debris directly into the green cart to comply with SB 1383.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small branches and weeds
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat, dairy, and bones
- ✓Food-soiled paper products
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
4 free pickups per calendar year for single-family homes (2 pickups for multi-family).
Placement
Place items curbside no earlier than the evening before your scheduled pickup day. Ensure they do not block sidewalks, driveways, or roadways.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators (doors removed)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped)
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Rugs
- ✓ Large bundled branches
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Auto parts
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
Additional bulky items beyond the 4-item limit per scheduled pickup will incur an extra charge from Waste Management.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, your regular Wednesday collection will be delayed to Thursday. If the holiday falls on a weekend, collection remains on the normal Wednesday schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling carts follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
Waste Management will not provide extra free pickups during holiday weeks due to strict operational guidelines.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Proper FOG Disposal
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) should never be poured down the drain or placed in the organics cart. Cool it, scrape it into a sealable container, and throw the sealed container in your gray/black trash cart.
Keep Recyclables Loose
Plastic garbage bags jam the sorting machinery at the recycling plant. Always toss your aluminum, glass, and paper loosely into the blue cart.
Pizza Boxes Go Green
Grease-stained cardboard cannot be recycled into new paper. Instead of putting a dirty pizza box in the blue cart, toss it into your green organics cart to be composted.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFree Christmas tree recycling takes place on standard Wednesday pickup days from the end of December through mid-January. Remove all decorations and cut trees in half if they exceed 6 feet.
Summer/Fall
July - OctoberTo maintain defensible space against wildfires, utilize your green cart regularly for dry brush. Excessively large bundled branches can be collected via the bulky item program.
About Arcadia Waste Management
Arcadia's Weekly Residential Waste Collection Schedule
The City of Arcadia partners exclusively with Waste Management to provide reliable residential and multi-family trash and recycling collection. For standard single-family homes, curbside collection occurs every Wednesday. Residents are advised to have their black, blue, and green carts rolled out to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day to ensure they aren't missed by the automated trucks.
Complying with California's SB 1383 Organics Mandate
In accordance with statewide environmental goals, Arcadia strictly enforces organics recycling. Food scraps, including meat, dairy, and soiled paper, can no longer be thrown in the standard trash. Instead, residents must place these items directly into their green organics cart alongside yard trimmings. This composted material is processed to significantly reduce landfill methane emissions.
Managing Mattress and Bulky Item Disposal
Arcadia homeowners benefit from an excellent bulky item program, offering up to four free large-item pickups every calendar year (multi-family units receive two). While standard furniture and appliances are accepted, there is a strict rule regarding mattresses: any mattress placed at the curb must be completely wrapped in plastic, a sheet, or a blanket before Waste Management personnel will collect it.
At-Your-Door Hazardous Waste Collection
Disposing of harsh chemicals, old paint, or electronics shouldn't mean a tedious trip to the dump. Arcadia residents can utilize Waste Management's 'At Your Door Special Collection' program, which allows up to three free household hazardous waste pickups annually. Simply contact WM to schedule a date, and they will safely remove toxic materials directly from your porch or driveway.
Bear-Resistant Carts for Foothill Residents
Because Arcadia borders the San Gabriel Mountains, wildlife encounters—specifically with black bears—are common in the northern foothill neighborhoods. To prevent bears from rummaging through household waste, the Public Works Services Department offers specialized bear-resistant carts. Residents can apply for these heavy-duty containers by submitting a Bear Cart Agreement directly to the city.
Drop-off Facilities
Monrovia Mattress Drop-Off Location
145 W Duarte Rd, Monrovia, CA 91016
Materials Accepted
Arcadia CVS Pharmacy Kiosk
1401 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Materials Accepted
SA Recycling
2495 Buena Vista St, Irwindale, CA 91706
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the procedure for getting rid of an old mattress in Arcadia?
You can dispose of an old mattress by scheduling one of your four free annual bulky item pickups through Waste Management. However, the mattress must be completely wrapped in plastic, a sheet, or a blanket before it will be collected at the curb.
Am I allowed to put food scraps in my regular black trash cart?
No. Under California's SB 1383 law, all Arcadia residents must separate organic waste. Food scraps, including meat, dairy, and soiled paper, must go directly into the green organics cart to be composted.
How do I safely dispose of old paint and electronics?
Arcadia residents are entitled to up to three free 'At Your Door' collections per year for household hazardous waste and e-waste. You can schedule a home pickup by calling Waste Management at (800) 449-7587.
Bears keep getting into my trash. What can I do?
If you live in the northern foothill areas, you can request a specialized bear-resistant cart. You will need to fill out a Bear Cart Agreement and submit it to the Arcadia Public Works Services Department for processing.