Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Calexico
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services in Calexico are contracted through Republic Services, while water and sewer utilities are managed directly through the city.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Black or Dark Grey Bin (Trash)
All standard trash must be securely bagged to prevent litter from blowing away during high winds. Lids must close completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Never bag your recyclables. Place all approved items loosely inside the blue cart and flatten all cardboard boxes to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Plastic jugs and bottles
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Under state law, food waste must be placed in this bin. Do not include treated wood, dirt, rocks, or pet waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Prunings
- ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand scheduling, plus 4 free annual landfill drop-offs
Placement
For scheduled curbside pickups, items must be placed at the curb no earlier than the evening before the collection date. Do not block sidewalks or traffic lanes.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Refrigerators and stoves (White goods)
- ✓ Large yard waste bundles
- ✓ Electronic waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Car parts and tires (handled separately by IVRMA)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt and concrete
Curbside limits and fees apply; contact Republic Services for exact allowances. Utilizing your 4 annual free drop-offs at the Imperial Landfill requires a valid ID and a city water bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling bins follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard household trash.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your regular residential collection schedule will not be impacted or delayed.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - SeptemberDuring peak summer temperatures in the Imperial Valley, place your bins out the night before or no later than 6:00 AM, as collection routes may start early to beat the afternoon heat.
Winter
December - JanuaryRepublic Services typically provides post-holiday Christmas tree recycling. Trees must be entirely free of lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands, and large trees should be cut in half.
Spring
March - MaySpring winds in the desert can be fierce. Ensure all trash is bagged and lids are fully shut to prevent debris from blowing into nearby agricultural fields.
Local Tips & Community Info
Solid Waste Management in Calexico
The City of Calexico partners with Republic Services, which also operates locally under the name Allied Waste Services, to provide comprehensive curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection to all residential neighborhoods. Because the Imperial Valley experiences intense desert heat, especially during the peak summer months, collection routes are structured to begin much earlier than in coastal municipalities. All single-family households are required to participate in the standardized automated three-cart refuse program to help keep the community clean and sanitary. If you are a new homeowner needing to establish your waste management account, or if your property is missing its standard bins, you can contact the local Republic Services dispatch office situated nearby on Dogwood Road in Imperial by calling (760) 337-2418.
Early Morning Cart Set-Out Requirements
To ensure your refuse is successfully collected, carts must be placed at the curb by 4:00 AM on your designated collection morning. Due to this exceptionally early start time, local authorities highly recommend rolling your bins out to the street the night before your scheduled pickup. Position your bins with the lid hinges facing your property and ensure they are spaced at least three feet apart from one another. To prevent interference with the automated mechanical arms equipped on the hauling trucks, you must keep your containers completely clear of parked vehicles, low-hanging tree branches, and neighborhood mailboxes. Once your route is serviced, prompt removal of the empty carts from the public right-of-way is expected to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Republic Services Bulky Item Program
For oversized household clutter like old mattresses, heavy couches, or broken washing machines, residents can rely on the Republic Services bulk waste program. While your regular weekly service covers standard bagged household garbage, you must schedule a special bulky pickup for anything that prevents your standard cart lid from completely closing. Be acutely aware that hazardous materials, liquid paints, automotive tires, and heavy construction debris such as concrete are strictly prohibited from this curbside program. If you possess unacceptable bulk items, you will need to contract a private commercial junk removal service or transport the heavy materials directly to an authorized Imperial County landfill facility for proper disposal.
Managing Food Scraps and Recyclables
The State of California mandates strict environmental diversion of organic waste and recyclable materials away from rapidly filling landfills. In Calexico, your blue container is exclusively designated for clean office paper, flattened cardboard boxes, rigid plastics, and glass bottles. Conversely, food scraps, yard clippings, and soiled paper products absolutely belong in your green organics bin. Contaminating these dedicated recycling containers with ordinary garbage, plastic grocery bags, or non-recyclable foam can result in warning tags being placed on your cart or completely skipped collections until the sorting issue is manually rectified by the homeowner.
Holiday Schedule Adjustments
Republic Services observes several major national holidays, which occasionally shifts your weekly neighborhood service. When recognized holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day fall on a normal weekday, trash pickups for the remainder of that calendar week are typically delayed by one full day. For example, a Wednesday holiday pushes Wednesday service to Thursday, and Thursday service to Friday. Normal continuous schedules resume the following Monday morning. It is always wise to double-check the annual digital calendar provided by Republic Services to ensure you do not miss a delayed holiday collection.
Drop-off Facilities
Imperial Landfill (Republic Services)
104 E. Robinson, Imperial, CA 92231
Materials Accepted
IVRMA Calexico HHW Facility
500 W 5th St, Calexico, CA 92231
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch in Calexico?
You have two primary options: call Republic Services at 760-355-0004 to schedule a bulky item curbside pickup, or transport the items yourself to the Imperial Landfill, where Calexico residents are granted four free disposal trips per year (must show ID and water bill).
Where can I safely dispose of paint, oil, and batteries in Calexico?
Hazardous materials cannot go in your curbside bins. You must take them to the IVRMA Calexico HHW Facility located at 500 W 5th St. The facility is typically open every other Sunday, but you should check the IVRMA calendar for exact dates.
Are food scraps allowed in the green yard waste bin?
Yes. To comply with California's SB 1383 mandate, all food waste—including fruit peels, vegetable scraps, meat, and dairy—must be disposed of in your green organics cart alongside your traditional yard trimmings.
What is the trash collection schedule during Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Republic Services observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and four other major holidays. If the holiday falls on a weekday, your regular trash, recycling, and green waste pickup will be delayed by one day for that week.