Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bellflower
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
Waste collection services in Bellflower are contracted through CR&R Environmental Services and billed quarterly. Residents also qualify for unlimited free curbside bulky item and e-waste pickups by scheduling at least 24 hours ahead.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior discounts are offered to customers aged 65 and older, and low-income discounts are available for residents qualifying for the City's utility user tax exemption.
Black Bin (Trash)
Use the black cart for all non-recyclable, non-compostable household refuse. The lid must close completely, and items left outside the cart will not be collected unless scheduled as a bulky pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Palm branches
- ✓Ceramics and Pyrex
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Waxed milk cartons and coated paper
- ✓Film plastic and shrink wrap
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose in the blue cart. Never bag recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Ensure all food and beverage containers are lightly rinsed and empty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Empty aerosol cans
- ✓Plastic containers (detergent bottles, milk jugs)
- ✓Mail, magazines, and phonebooks
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Waxed paper
- ✕Food residue and liquids
- ✕Mirrors and safety glass
- ✕Automotive parts
Yard Waste Bin
All organics go in the green cart. Do not place standard plastic bags, dirt, sod, animal waste, or palm branches in this container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, fish, dairy, bread, fruits)
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Dry leaves and green plants
- ✓Prunings and untreated wood
- ✓Unwaxed paper bags or compostable bags
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Unlimited free bulky item pickups for single-family and multi-family residents.
Placement
Schedule via CR&R and place items at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before your collection day. Items left on the sidewalk without a scheduled pickup may result in penalties.
Accepted
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and refrigerators
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and miscellaneous furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors, computers)
- ✓ Bundled cardboard and excessive green waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Automotive parts (other than used tires if arranged)
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and rock
Single and multi-family residents receive this service for free. Commercial customers are charged $25.84 per bulky item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), all residential collection services will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The one-day holiday delay applies uniformly to trash, recycling, organics, and bulky item collections.
If the observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delays, and your regular weekday collection schedule will remain unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - SeptemberTo prevent strong odors and pests in your green organics cart during the hot summer months, CR&R recommends keeping the cart in a covered or shaded area out of direct sunlight and layering food scraps between dry yard waste.
Year-Round
January - DecemberIf you find that your blue recycling cart or green organics cart is consistently overflowing, Bellflower residents can contact CR&R to request one additional recycling and/or green waste container at absolutely no extra charge.
Local Tips & Community Info
Curbside Protocols with CR&R Environmental Services
Residential waste management in Bellflower is exclusively handled by CR&R Environmental Services. To maintain clean neighborhoods and ensure seamless collection, residents are required to follow specific curbside placement rules. All designated refuse carts must be wheeled out to the street edge no later than 6:00 a.m. on your assigned neighborhood service day. When lining up your containers, it is vital to leave a minimum gap of three feet between each cart, as well as ample clearance from mailboxes, fences, and parked vehicles. The automated mechanical arms on the CR&R trucks require this spatial buffer to safely lift and empty the bins. Once serviced, municipal code dictates that all containers must be pulled back onto your private property by the evening to keep the public right-of-way clear.
Mastering the Three-Cart Sorting Mandates
Complying with California's SB 1383 environmental regulations is a community effort in Bellflower. Every single-family home utilizes a strict three-color cart system. Your Green Cart is strictly for organics, which encompasses grass clippings, weeds, leaves, and all household food scraps. Scrape your plates directly into this bin to help the city generate compost and reduce methane emissions. The Blue Cart is reserved for uncontaminated recyclables. Clean cardboard, paper products, glass containers, and plastic jugs belong here. Be sure to collapse all boxes to maximize interior space. Lastly, the Black Cart is your destination for standard solid waste that cannot be diverted, such as bathroom refuse, pet waste, heavily soiled pizza boxes, and styrofoam packaging. Contaminating the recycling or organics bins can result in compliance notices and potential service surcharges.
Taking Advantage of Free Bulky Item Hauls
One of the major benefits provided to Bellflower residents is the generous bulky item collection program. Instead of paying dump fees or renting a truck, single-family households can schedule up to four free bulky item pickups every calendar year. For each scheduled pickup, you are permitted to place up to five large items at the curb. This service is perfect for disposing of old mattresses, broken couches, refrigerators, and large patio furniture. To arrange this service, you must contact CR&R directly at (800) 826-9677 at least 48 hours prior to your normal trash day. Do not simply leave large items on the sidewalk without a confirmed appointment, as this is considered illegal dumping and is subject to city fines.
Handling E-Waste and Household Chemicals
It is strictly illegal to toss hazardous materials into any of your three residential CR&R carts. Things like used motor oil, wet latex paint, pool chemicals, and lithium batteries pose severe fire risks to sanitation vehicles and sorting facilities. Bellflower residents can safely dispose of these toxic substances by attending one of the free Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) roundups held periodically throughout the region. For electronic waste, such as obsolete computer monitors, dead televisions, or old printers, you can utilize your annual bulky item allowances by specifically noting the e-waste items when you call CR&R to schedule your haul-away.
Recognized Holidays and Service Delays
CR&R operates on a slightly altered schedule during major national holidays. The six holidays that directly impact Bellflower refuse collection are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your regular trash day falls on one of these holidays, or if the holiday lands on a weekday before your scheduled pickup, your service will slide back by exactly one day. For instance, Thursday routes will be collected on Friday, and Friday routes will be finished on Saturday. If the holiday happens to fall on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be absolutely no disruption to the standard Monday through Friday collection routes.
Drop-off Facilities
Los Angeles County S.A.F.E. Permanent Collection Centers
Various locations across LA County (e.g., San Pedro, Los Angeles)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bulky item pickup cost in Bellflower?
For single-family and multi-family residential customers, bulky item pickups—including electronic waste—are completely free and unlimited. However, you must contact CR&R at least 24 hours before your regular collection day to schedule the service. Commercial businesses are charged $25.84 per item.
Can I throw palm branches in my green organics cart?
No. Palm branches and fronds cannot be composted properly due to their fibrous nature. In Bellflower, all palm branches must be placed in the black trash cart.
What happens if a holiday falls on a weekend?
If one of CR&R's six observed holidays (like Christmas or Independence Day) falls on a Saturday or Sunday, your trash collection schedule will not be interrupted, and your bins will be serviced on your regular weekday.
Can I get an extra recycling or green waste cart if mine fills up?
Yes. If you regularly fill your blue recycling or green waste containers, the City of Bellflower allows you to receive one additional container of each type at no additional charge. Simply contact CR&R Customer Service to request them.