Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bell Gardens
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as trash collection (weekly)
Yard Waste
Same day as trash collection (weekly)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside residential waste, recycling, and organic waste services are managed under contract with Athens Services. You can contact Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 to verify your service route or request bulky item pickups.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen rate discounts (for eligible head of household residents aged 62+) and low-income assistance programs are available through Athens Services.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Reliable Trash Pickup Schedule for Bell Gardens
Keeping the city clean starts with adhering to the residential trash pickup schedule in Bell Gardens, California. Local waste management services are provided by Athens Services, ensuring consistent weekly collection for all neighborhoods. To avoid missed pickups, make sure your bins are securely placed at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day. If you are unsure of your exact pickup day, check the city’s official collection map or contact the local sanitation provider. Always ensure your trash is fully contained within the black waste bin with the lid completely closed to keep local streets clean and prevent attracting pests.
Maximizing Your Blue Recycling Cart
Bell Gardens residents play a critical role in local sustainability through the city's robust recycling program. Your blue recycling bin is designed for common household recyclables such as clean cardboard, paper products, aluminum cans, and empty plastic containers. Remember to break down all corrugated cardboard boxes before tossing them in the bin to maximize space. Please avoid throwing greasy pizza boxes, plastic grocery bags, food waste, or tanglers like hoses into the blue container, as these materials can jam processing equipment and contaminate an entire truckload of recyclables.
Yard Waste and Organics Disposal Guidelines
Proper disposal of green waste helps keep Bell Gardens beautiful and contributes to local composting efforts. Your green yard waste bin is designated for grass clippings, leaves, small branches, weeds, and other organic plant materials. In compliance with California state laws regarding organic waste, certain food scraps may also be acceptable in the green container—be sure to verify the latest guidelines with Athens Services. Do not place treated wood, dirt, rocks, or animal waste in the green cart.
Requesting Bulky Item Pickup from Athens Services
Disposing of old furniture, appliances, or large mattresses does not have to be a hassle. Bell Gardens offers a convenient bulky item pickup program to help residents discard large items that do not fit inside standard curbside containers. To prevent community blight, never leave bulky objects on the sidewalk without an appointment. You must schedule your removal in advance by contacting Athens Services directly at (855) 557-1007. They will advise you on the specific collection date and outline what types of items are acceptable for the special hauling service.
Holiday Collection Delays to Keep in Mind
During certain major holidays, your standard trash and recycling schedule will experience a slight shift. Athens Services observes key holidays including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If your normal collection day falls on or after one of these observed holidays, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Normal schedules will resume the following Monday, so plan your curbside placement accordingly.
Proper Bin Placement Tips for Curbside Collection
To guarantee a smooth and uninterrupted collection process, automated sanitation trucks require specific bin placement. Position your black, blue, and green containers at the curb with the wheels facing your home and the lid opening toward the street. Keep a minimum distance of one foot between each cart, and ensure they are placed far away from parked vehicles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and low-hanging tree branches. Following these simple layout rules ensures the mechanical arms on the collection vehicles can safely grab and empty the bins.
Safely Disposing of Hazardous Waste Materials
Throwing dangerous chemicals into your regular trash is both illegal and harmful to the environment. Hazardous materials such as motor oil, leftover paint, pesticides, household cleaners, and electronic waste (e-waste) are strictly prohibited from curbside bins in Bell Gardens. Residents must utilize designated Los Angeles County S.A.F.E. Centers or attend local Household Hazardous Waste collection events to drop off these dangerous items safely. Taking the extra step to properly dispose of these chemicals protects local water sources and sanitation workers.
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.