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
!Contamination Tips
Palm branches belong in the trash
Unlike standard yard waste, palm branches and fronds are incredibly fibrous and cannot be effectively processed at CR&R's composting facilities. Always place palm branches in your black landfill cart.
Keep plastic bags out of the organics cart
When collecting food scraps in your kitchen, do not use standard plastic grocery bags or black trash bags to contain them. Use only unwaxed paper bags or certified compostable bags to line your green cart.
No pet waste in the green bin
Dog poop, cat litter, and all other forms of animal waste are heavily contaminated with pathogens and must never be placed into the green organics container. Put all pet waste in the black trash cart.
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.
About Bellflower Waste Management
Bellflower's Comprehensive CR&R Collection Services
In the City of Bellflower, residential waste management is exclusively provided by CR&R Environmental Services. The city employs a standard three-cart system to streamline waste diversion: a black cart for general trash, a blue cart for commingled recyclables, and a green cart for organic waste and yard clippings. To ensure successful automated collection, residents must place all carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled pickup day. Carts should be placed side-by-side about one foot apart, with the wheels and handles facing the home, and must be set at least three feet away from any physical obstructions such as parked vehicles, trees, or fire hydrants. Remember to remove your empty carts from the curb within 12 hours after service.
Mastering the Green Organics Cart in Bellflower
In full compliance with California's SB 1383 mandate, Bellflower has expanded its green cart program to accept all organic food waste in addition to traditional yard trimmings. Residents can easily divert food scraps, including meats, dairy, bread, and fruits, away from the landfill by placing them into the green organics container. To minimize pests and odors, CR&R recommends placing dry yard waste at the bottom of the cart to absorb liquids and layering food scraps in between yard trimmings. Unlike standard yard waste, you may line your indoor kitchen pail with an unwaxed paper bag or a certified compostable bag before transferring the contents to the outdoor cart; standard plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Unlimited Free Bulky Item Pickups for Residents
Bellflower offers an exceptional perk for single-family and multi-family residential customers: unlimited free curbside pickups for bulky items and electronic waste (e-waste). This means you never have to worry about how to dispose of old mattresses, broken furniture, refrigerators, or outdated televisions. Simply contact CR&R Customer Service at (877) 944-4716 at least 24 hours prior to your regular collection day to schedule the pickup. Keep in mind that the city actively prohibits leaving bulky items on the sidewalk or right-of-way without a scheduled appointment, and failure to notify CR&R may result in the item not being collected.
Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Toxic materials such as leftover paint, used motor oil, pesticides, pool chemicals, and common household batteries cannot be placed into any of the automated curbside carts. Bellflower residents can safely dispose of these materials at Los Angeles County HHW Collection events or at any S.A.F.E. Permanent Collection Center completely free of charge. Additionally, for larger appliances that contain Freon or for bulk electronic waste, you do not need to visit an HHW center; you can schedule a free bulky item pickup directly through CR&R for convenient curbside removal.
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.