Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chula Vista
Collections in California municipal routes run weekly (Mon-Fri). Your specific collection day is determined by your local neighborhood route.
State Mandate
Follow SB 1383 guidelines for food waste.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash collection is contracted through Republic Services and billed directly on a bimonthly cycle based on the size of your black trash cart.
Billing Cycle
Bimonthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Black or Grey Bin (Trash)
All landfill-bound trash should be securely bagged before being placed into the black cart to prevent windblown litter. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. and removed by 8:00 p.m. on your service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household refuse
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Pet waste and cat litter
- ✓Broken ceramics and dishware
- ✓Treated or painted wood
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Do NOT bag your recyclables; place them loosely inside the blue cart. Flatten all cardboard to conserve space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard and shipping boxes
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7)
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Clean, non-greasy pizza boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film wrap
- ✕Food waste or food-soiled paper
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Clothing, textiles, and shoes
- ✕Tanglers like garden hoses, ropes, and hangers
Yard Waste Bin
Organic materials must be placed directly into the green cart. Do not use plastic bags, even if they are marketed as 'biodegradable' or 'compostable,' as they disrupt the commercial composting facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, weeds, and leaves
- ✓Kitchen food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, coffee filters)
- ✓Greasy or food-soiled pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on-call (Up to 10 items per week / 60 items per 90 days)
Placement
Place approved bulky items at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day. Ensure items are not blocking sidewalks, bike lanes, or vehicle traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Refrigerators, washers, and dryers
- ✓ Water heaters and BBQs
- ✓ Exercise equipment
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, bricks, and rocks
- ✕ Medical waste and sharps
Up to 10 items per week are free. Items that weigh over 60 pounds and cannot be safely moved with a standard hand truck may incur an additional special handling fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday (Monday-Friday), collection services scheduled on or after that holiday will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. For example, a Thursday pickup will move to Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
Your blue recycling and green organics carts follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard trash collection.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, or if a holiday is not listed above (such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Veterans Day), there are no delays and service will occur on your normal scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryRepublic Services offers a seasonal holiday tree recycling program. Place your clean, un-flocked tree next to your bins on your normal service day. You must remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands before placing it at the curb.
Year-Round
January - NovemberOtay Landfill periodically hosts free compost giveaway events on designated Saturdays (e.g., in January, March, May, July, September, and November). Residents must bring a photo ID and a utility bill, along with their own shovels and tarps.
Local Tips & Community Info
Republic Services Curbside Collection Schedule
In Chula Vista, residential garbage and recycling services are managed by Republic Services. The collection window runs from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on your designated service day. It is essential to have your carts placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m., even if the truck typically arrives later in your neighborhood. To keep the streets clear and compliant with local ordinances, all empty containers must be pulled back onto your property by 8:00 p.m. Make sure to point the lid arrow toward the street, ensure lids are completely closed, and leave at least 1.5 feet of space between each cart to accommodate the truck's automated arm.
Food Scraps and Yard Waste Organics
To comply with California's organics recycling laws, Chula Vista residents are required to separate food waste and yard trimmings from regular trash. Your green organics cart is the destination for grass clippings, leaves, meat bones, dairy products, and vegetable peels. Remember not to put plastic bags, compostable bags, or food wrappers in the green bin, as these items contaminate the composting facility. Keeping these organics out of the black trash cart significantly reduces the amount of methane gas produced in local landfills.
Generous Bulky Item Pickup Program
Chula Vista offers one of the most generous bulky item disposal programs in San Diego County. Eligible cart-service customers can request the pickup of up to 10 large items per week, or a maximum of 60 items within any 90-day period, completely free of charge. You can dispose of old mattresses (wrapped in plastic), sofas, and broken appliances. However, you must schedule this service with Republic Services at least 24 hours before your standard collection day by calling (619) 421-9400. Do not simply leave large items on the curb without an appointment, as this is considered illegal dumping.
Hazardous Waste and Free Landfill Passes
Materials like wet paint, motor oil, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs are strictly prohibited in curbside bins. Chula Vista residents can safely dispose of these toxic materials at the South Bay Household Hazardous Waste facility located at 1800 Maxwell Road. You will need to bring proof of residency when dropping off items. Additionally, eligible cart customers are provided two free landfill passes and two free yard waste passes every year, which is perfect for DIY home renovations, handling construction debris, or massive backyard cleanups that exceed your standard bin capacity.
Holiday Service Interruptions
Republic Services observes six major holidays throughout the year: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If any of these holidays falls on a weekday, the trash collection schedule is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. For example, a Thursday Thanksgiving means Thursday pickups will happen on Friday, and Friday pickups will shift to Saturday. Regular service resumes the following week. During all other holidays, such as Veterans Day or Presidents' Day, the collection trucks will run on their normal schedule.
Drop-off Facilities
Otay Landfill and Compost Facility
1700 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Materials Accepted
South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Facility
1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request my free Otay Landfill and yard waste passes?
Chula Vista cart service customers in good standing receive two landfill passes and two yard waste passes annually. You can request these passes by calling Republic Services at 619-482-4024 to have them mailed to you, or pick them up at the customer service office on Energy Way.
What is the limit for free bulky item pickups in Chula Vista?
The city offers an extremely generous bulk pickup limit: up to 10 bulky items per week, or 60 items within a 90-day period, at no extra charge. You must call 619-421-9400 at least 24 hours before your regular trash day to schedule the pickup.
Which holidays actually delay trash pickup in Chula Vista?
Republic Services only delays collection by one day for six major holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays during the week, it will be delayed. All other holidays do not affect the schedule.
Can I put compostable plastic bags in my green organics cart?
No. The commercial composting facility utilized by Republic Services cannot properly process plastic bags, even if they are labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable.' You must keep your food scraps loose, wrap them in newspaper, or place them in a standard paper bag.