Black Bin (Trash)
Use the black bin strictly for non-recyclable, non-organic refuse. The bin must weigh less than 100 pounds, and the lid must fully close. Extra service tags can be purchased at City Hall for $5.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Garden hoses and textiles
- ✓Old shoes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue bin without being bagged. Flatten all cardboard boxes to maximize space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and shipping boxes
- ✓Paper cartons
- ✓Plastics #1-#7 (milk jugs, shampoo bottles, yogurt containers)
- ✓Glass food and beverage containers
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean paper and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic film or grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Hazardous materials
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
In Camarillo, ALL food waste must be placed in a securely tied plastic or paper bag before going into the green organics cart. Standard yard waste should remain loose. Do not include dirt, rocks, sand, palm fronds, yuccas, or succulents.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and landscape trimmings
- ✓Untreated wood and pallets
- ✓Bagged food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, fruits, veggies)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and coffee grounds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to four FREE bulky item pickups annually per single-family household.
Placement
Place items at the curb securely. Ensure they are placed no earlier than the evening before your scheduled pickup date and do not block pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Large appliances and electronics
- ✓ Furniture, couches, and tables
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large bulky items that do not fit in the black bin
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, sand, or rocks
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
The first four pickups are free. Additional bulky collections or large temporary roll-off bins (3 to 40 yards) can be arranged directly with E.J. Harrison for an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday during the week, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday moves to Friday). Weekend holidays do not cause any delays.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling carts follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard black trash collection.
Minor holidays such as Presidents' Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Veterans Day do not affect the collection schedule. Place your carts out on your normal day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Always Bag Your Food Scraps
Unlike many neighboring cities, Camarillo explicitly requires residents to place all food scraps in tied plastic or paper bags before tossing them into the green organics bin. This critical step ensures that food waste can be effectively separated from yard trimmings during processing.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Even though you use bags for your food waste in the green cart, plastic bags should never be placed in the blue recycling cart. Keep your recyclables loose; plastic film wraps around sorting gears and shuts down recycling facilities.
No Palm Fronds or Succulents in Organics
Your green organics bin is for standard yard trimmings. Fibrous plants like palm fronds, yuccas, and succulents, along with dirt, rocks, and sand, are strictly prohibited as they destroy composting equipment.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to JanuaryFollowing the holidays, E.J. Harrison provides a curbside Christmas tree recycling program. Trees must be completely stripped of all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands before being placed curbside on your collection day.
Year-Round
January to DecemberThe City hosts Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off events every second consecutive Friday and Saturday of the month. You must call (805) 987-0717 to schedule your mandatory appointment.
About Camarillo Waste Management
Camarillo's Automated Three-Cart Collection System
The City of Camarillo partners with E.J. Harrison & Sons to provide comprehensive weekly curbside trash, recycling, and organic waste services. Residents utilize a standard three-bin system: a black bin for refuse, a blue bin for recyclables, and a green bin for organics. To guarantee service, all carts must be placed 2 to 3 feet apart at the curb by 6:30 A.M. on your designated collection day. Be mindful of neighborhood aesthetics; local municipal code requires that all bins be removed from public view by midnight following collection to avoid a potential $50 fine.
The Unique Bagged Food Waste Rule
In order to meet California's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, Camarillo implements a very specific and somewhat unique rule. While food scraps belong in the green organics bin, they cannot be thrown in loosely. The city explicitly requires all food waste—including meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and leftover scraps—to be placed in closed plastic or paper bags and securely tied before being tossed into the green cart. This is because food and yard waste are processed separately at local facilities, and bagging helps prevent severe cross-contamination.
Take Advantage of Free Bulky Item Pickups
If you are upgrading furniture or doing a heavy spring cleaning, Camarillo single-family residential customers receive up to four free bulky item pickups per calendar year. This generous program covers large items like old mattresses, appliances, and broken furniture that safely fit the size limits. These pickups do not happen automatically; you must contact E.J. Harrison & Sons at (805) 647-1414 to schedule an appointment ahead of your standard trash day to ensure the proper truck is dispatched.
Safe Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Toxic chemicals, wet paint, used motor oil, and electronic waste must never be placed in your curbside bins. To safely manage these dangerous materials, the City of Camarillo hosts dedicated Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events on the second consecutive Friday and Saturday of every month. These events are strictly by appointment only, which helps minimize wait times and traffic. Residents must call (805) 987-0717 to reserve a slot and receive location details for the secure drop-off site.
Drop-off Facilities
Camarillo Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Location provided upon appointment booking, Camarillo, CA
Materials Accepted
Gold Coast Recycling and Transfer Station
5275 Colt St, Ventura, CA 93003
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I correctly dispose of food waste in Camarillo?
Unlike most California cities under SB 1383, Camarillo requires all food scraps (including meat, bones, and dairy) to be placed in a securely tied plastic or paper bag before being thrown into the green organics bin. This keeps it separate from yard waste during processing.
What is the rule for placing bins at the curb?
Bins must be placed 2 to 3 feet apart at the curb by 6:30 A.M. on your designated collection day. Local ordinances mandate that bins must be removed from public view by midnight on collection day to avoid a $50 fine.
Are bulky item pickups free in Camarillo?
Yes, single-family residential customers serviced by E.J. Harrison are eligible for up to four free bulky item pickups per calendar year. You must call (805) 647-1414 to schedule your pickup.
Where can I take my old paint and motor oil?
The City of Camarillo hosts Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events on the second consecutive Friday and Saturday of each month. You must call (805) 987-0717 to schedule a required appointment.