Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Burbank
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as trash pickup
Yard Waste
Same day as trash pickup
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and organics collection fees are automatically billed through your monthly Burbank Water and Power (BWP) utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The Lifeline Program offers reduced utility rates (including refuse and sewer) for income-qualified seniors and disabled residents.
Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the container with the lid closed completely. The cart cannot accommodate more than 200 pounds and should not be overloaded with heavy sand, soil, or dirt.
Accepted Items
- ✓Unrecyclable plastics (#3, #4, #6, #7)
- ✓Compostable plastics and bioplastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam products
- ✓Pet waste and horse manure
- ✓Diapers and household garbage
- ✓Flocked or artificial Christmas trees
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be at least 4 inches in size and placed completely loose in the bin. Do not bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Dropping glass off at the Recycle Center is preferred over using the blue bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and pizza boxes
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5 (No black plastic)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and office paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and wrappers
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, lights, cords)
- ✕Tiny plastics (under 3 inches in size)
Yard Waste Bin
Organics must be placed in the green cart loose or wrapped in paper. No plastic bags or 'compostable' bioplastics are permitted. Pet waste, dirt, and horse manure are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and branches
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, eggshells)
- ✓Food-soiled paper with no plastic lining
- ✓Shrubs and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Schedule at least 1-2 business days before normal collection)
Placement
Do not put bulky items out until the night before collection. Place them at least 5 feet away from all fixed objects. Remove doors from refrigerators.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and dressers
- ✓ Bed frames and metal furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (fee applies)
- ✓ Large appliances and refrigerators (fee applies)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete, and construction debris
- ✕ Items pertaining to a business operation
- ✕ Liquid waste
Basic furniture is collected with no special handling fee. Certain items like mattresses, air conditioners, and tires require a $12.14 Special Handling Fee billed to your utility account.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Burbank's Solid Waste Services operate Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including all City and Federal Holidays. There are absolutely no delays to your collection schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics, recycling, and trash are all picked up on schedule, regardless of the holiday.
Because the City of Burbank does not observe holiday trash delays, you must always ensure your carts are at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your regularly assigned weekday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
Late December through Mid-JanuaryBurbank offers free curbside holiday tree collection on your regular trash day. Remove all lights, stands, and ornaments. Flocked trees (sprayed with fake snow) are considered landfill trash and must be cut to fit inside the black bin.
Year-Round
January to DecemberIf you generate extra waste that does not fit in your regular carts, you can schedule an extra pick-up on any weekday (other than your normal collection day) for an additional fee by calling Public Works Field Services.
Local Tips & Community Info
Municipal Refuse Management in Burbank
The City of Burbank Public Works Department directly oversees all residential garbage and recycling operations. A unique aspect of living in this city is the dual-collection infrastructure; depending on your neighborhood's layout, you will either place your bins on the street curb or in a designated back alleyway. Maintaining a consistent weekly schedule ensures that neighborhoods stay sanitary and aesthetically pleasing. If you are unsure about your designated routing day or whether you have alley or street service, the Burbank 311 portal provides instant clarity.
Container Placement and Time Regulations
Whether you have curbside or alleyway service, all residential customers are required to have their containers ready for emptying by 6:00 a.m. on their specific route day. For street-side customers, municipal codes mandate that all bins be pulled back onto private property by 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection to keep the parkways clear. Always leave a minimum of three feet of distance between your black, blue, and green carts so the automated mechanical arms on the sanitation trucks can operate without damaging property.
Organics and the Three-Cart Standard
Sorting rules in Burbank align closely with statewide environmental goals to reduce landfill emissions. The green container is designed to capture both landscape trimmings and kitchen food waste, including cooked meat, dairy, and soiled paper plates. The blue bin is meant exclusively for unsoiled, loose recyclables, such as flattened cardboard, glass bottles, and rigid plastics. Anything that cannot be composted or recycled, like styrofoam, pet waste, or snack wrappers, must go directly into the black refuse cart.
Oversized Item Disposal Procedures
When clearing out a garage or replacing old furniture, you can utilize the city's specialized bulky item pickup service. Burbank allows residents to request the curbside removal of large objects like old mattresses, couches, and major appliances at no extra charge. However, you must submit a formal request through the Burbank 311 mobile app or call the Public Works dispatch desk to reserve a collection date. Sanitation trucks will bypass unannounced large junk, which could result in a code enforcement citation.
Holiday Interruptions and Route Shifts
During major national celebrations, routine sanitation routes are frequently adjusted. Burbank Public Works officially observes six primary holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your scheduled pickup falls on or after one of these specific dates during the workweek, your service will be pushed back by exactly one day. The entire routing system naturally resets to the standard Monday-through-Friday cadence at the beginning of the subsequent week.
Drop-off Facilities
Burbank Recycle Center & Drop Zone
500 South Flower Street, Burbank, CA 91502
Materials Accepted
S.A.F.E. Collection Center - Sun Valley (L.A. County)
11025 Randall Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Burbank delay trash pickup for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas?
No. Unlike most neighboring municipalities, the City of Burbank Solid Waste Services operate Monday through Friday, including all City and Federal holidays. Your collection day will never be delayed due to a holiday.
Can I use compostable bags for my food waste in Burbank?
No. Burbank explicitly bans all plastic bags in the green organics cart, including those labeled '100% compostable' or 'biodegradable.' You can line your kitchen pail with newspaper or a paper bag, but all food waste must go into the green bin without plastic.
Where should I throw away glass bottles and jars?
While glass is technically allowed in your blue curbside recycling cart, the City of Burbank strongly prefers that residents drop off glass bottles and food jars directly at the Burbank Recycle Center to avoid shattering and cross-contaminating clean paper bales inside the automated trucks.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Burbank?
You can schedule a pickup through the 'Our Burbank 311' app or web portal at least two business days before your normal collection day, or by calling Public Works at (818) 238-3800 at least one business day prior. Place the items out the night before your trash day, keeping them 5 feet away from any obstacles.