Black or Grey Bin (Trash)
All refuse must be placed inside the container with the lids completely closed. Do not overload or place items alongside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household waste
- ✓Cacti, succulents, and palm fronds
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
- ✓Hard shells (clams and oysters)
- ✓Disposable gloves and bubble wrap
- ✓Small plastics (utensils, straws)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty of liquids and food. Do not bag your recyclables; keep them loose in the blue bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Magazines, mail, and telephone books
- ✓Beverage and detergent jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean pizza boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Black plastics and styrofoam (plastics #3 and #6)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Tanglers (garden hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Food-soiled paper must have absolutely no petroleum-based plastic, wax, or bio-plastic coating, liner, or laminate.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, weeds, and leaves
- ✓Untreated, unpainted scrap wood
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓100% plant-fiber based food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available upon request (plus an annual city-wide event in June)
Placement
Do not place any bulky items on the curb until you have received email or phone confirmation from an Athens customer service representative.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches, recliners, and traditional sofas
- ✓ Microwave ovens and dishwashers
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and air conditioners
- ✓ Large boxed or bagged green waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (e-waste) and televisions
- ✕ Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- ✕ Car and truck tires
- ✕ Household Hazardous Waste (paint, pesticides)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (asphalt, concrete, dirt)
Standard residential bulky item pickups are provided as part of your regular service, but you must wait for scheduling confirmation to avoid code enforcement violations.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holidays create a one-day delay in collection service if they fall on a weekday (Monday through Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash collection.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, waste collection services will not be delayed and regular weekday scheduling remains in place.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Film Out of the Blue Cart
Plastic bags, cellophane, and dry cleaning bags wrap around sorting machinery at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Take plastic bags back to grocery store drop-offs instead of putting them in your blue bin.
Palm Fronds and Succulents Go In Trash
Unlike typical yard waste, palm fronds, cacti, and yucca leaves are too fibrous or retain too much water to be composted properly and must be tossed in your regular trash cart.
Verify Food-Soiled Paper Before Composting
Ensure paper egg cartons, pizza boxes, and napkins are 100% plant-fiber based before tossing them in the green bin. Any wax, bio-plastic coating, or petroleum liner means it belongs in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
December - JanuaryChristmas trees are collected and repurposed at Athens' American Organics compost facility. Remove all stands, ornaments, and lights. Flocked trees or those with fire retardants are strictly prohibited and must go in the regular trash.
Summer
JuneTake advantage of the City of Bell Gardens Annual Curbside Clean Up event, typically held in mid-June. Residents can place excess bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. for free pickup without scheduling an individual appointment.
About Bell Gardens Waste Management
Exclusive Residential Partnership with Athens Services
The City of Bell Gardens partners exclusively with Athens Services for all residential solid waste collection. With over 60 years of experience serving Southern California, Athens provides fully integrated trash, recycling, and green waste solutions. Most household recyclables collected in Bell Gardens are transported to the advanced City of Industry Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where they are carefully sorted and diverted from local landfills.
Mandatory SB 1383 Organics Recycling Compliance
To align with California’s SB 1383 mandates, Bell Gardens enforces a strict organics recycling program. All residents must place food scraps—including meat, bones, dairy, and vegetables—directly into their green waste cart alongside traditional yard trimmings. These organic materials are subsequently hauled to the American Organics compost facility in Victorville, where they are transformed into nutrient-rich compost instead of releasing methane in a landfill.
Strict Curbside Cart Placement Guidelines
To ensure automated trucks can safely service your home, residents must adhere to Athens Services' cart placement rules. All containers must be rolled to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Leave at least one foot of space between each cart, ensuring they are clear of vehicles, mailboxes, and trees. Lids must be fully closed to prevent litter and deter local pests.
Convenient Large Item Disposal Methods
Getting rid of old mattresses, broken appliances, or heavy furniture is simple in Bell Gardens. Residents can easily schedule an on-demand bulky item pickup online or by phone through Athens Services. Additionally, the city hosts an Annual Curbside Clean Up event every summer, allowing households to leave acceptable large items at the curb for free collection without needing a prior appointment.
Drop-off Facilities
UCLA S.A.F.E. Drop-Off Center (E-Waste & HHW)
550 Charles E. Young Dr. West, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Materials Accepted
Athens Services Irwindale Office Center
4777 Irwindale Ave, Irwindale, CA 91706
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Bell Gardens?
You can schedule a bulky item pickup by calling Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 or submitting a request online via the Athens website. Do not place items at the curb until a customer service representative confirms your pickup date.
What do I do with palm fronds and cacti?
Unlike most yard trimmings, palm fronds, cacti, succulents, and yucca leaves cannot be composted. They must be placed directly into your regular black or grey trash container.
Can I throw e-waste or batteries in my trash bin?
No, California state law prohibits the disposal of electronic waste, batteries, and fluorescent tubes in any curbside bin. You must take these items to a Los Angeles County S.A.F.E. Center or wait for a local HHW roundup event.
How should I place my carts on collection day?
Place your containers at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Ensure the wheels are against the curb and there is at least one foot of clearance between each bin and any other obstruction like cars or mailboxes.