Black (or Gray) Bin (Trash)
Items must fit entirely within the automated container with the lid securely closed. Overloaded bins that drop debris onto the street will not be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Shredded paper
- ✓Soiled food packaging
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Broken ceramics and window glass
- ✓Plastic bags and film wrapping
- ✓Non-recyclable household rubbish
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable items must be placed in the blue cart completely loose, unbagged, empty, clean, and dry to prevent contaminating the truckload.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and rigid containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Plastic bags or plastic film
- ✕Food-stained cardboard
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Green waste and yard clippings must be mixed loose in the container. Food waste may be enclosed in a clear, transparent plastic bag for cleanliness before being deposited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and autumn leaves
- ✓Plant prunings, weeds, and flowers
- ✓Small tree branches under 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length
- ✓Food waste including scraps, meat, bones, dairy, and coffee grounds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
3 items per calendar year
Placement
Items must be positioned directly in the street against the front curb by 6:00 AM on the scheduled collection date. Glass panels or mirrors must be taped and completely wrapped in heavy plastic.
Accepted
- ✓ Large household appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Furniture items (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Electronic waste (boxed safely in sturdy cardboard)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Loose bagged trash or unbundled construction debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil)
- ✕ Automotive batteries and light bulbs
- ✕ Excessively heavy objects that a single worker cannot lift
Once the three free annual choices are exhausted, residents can book additional large-item collections through the Community Services department for an established per-load fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a major observed holiday occurs on or before a regular pickup day, collection operations are pushed back exactly one day for the remainder of that week. For example, a Thursday route shifts to Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
Organic and yard waste collections follow the exact same delayed holiday timeline as standard trash and recycling.
If an official holiday falls natively on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, normal Monday through Thursday neighborhood pickup schedules are completely unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Route Shredded Paper Away from Blue Bins
Claremont’s processing sorting facility cannot handle loose shredded paper. Small loose pieces clog the sorting machinery, meaning all shredded paper must be discarded into your black trash bin.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Recycle Stream
Never bundle or wrap your recyclables inside plastic grocery sacks or garbage bags. Loose plastic film wraps around mechanical gears, causing sorting plant shutdowns; place all recyclables loose in the blue bin.
Filter Prohibited Green Waste Exceptions
Do not mix invasive landscaping items like palm fronds, cacti, or heavy tree stumps into your organics cart. These fibrous materials break processing equipment and must be handled via special bin rentals.
Seasonal Information
Winter Tree Recycling
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are collected curbside on regular pickup days during the first two weeks of January. Residents must strip all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands. Trees exceeding 6 feet must be cut completely in half.
High-Volume Foliage Collection
October to DecemberDuring peak autumn leaf drops, ensure your organic carts are not tightly packed or overflowing. If your yard waste consistently exceeds cart capacity, contact Community Services to arrange for temporary extra containers.
Summer Heat Odor Management
June to SeptemberTo reduce odors and pests caused by high summer temperatures, the city allows food scraps to be tied inside clear, see-through plastic bags before being placed into the organic waste container.
About Claremont Waste Management
Claremont's Sustainable Residential Waste Programs
The City of Claremont directly manages its own residential solid waste, recycling, and organic waste collection through the municipal Community Services Department. Operating on a structured four-day weekly loop from Monday through Thursday, the city emphasizes waste diversion to meet strict California environmental mandates. Residents are provided with standard municipal automated carts, ensuring streamlined neighborhood routing while maintaining the city's iconic tree-lined visual charm.
Automated Collection Guidelines and Street Etiquette
To support Claremont’s automated collection trucks, all rolling containers must be positioned at the street curb by 6:00 AM on your designated collection day. Bins should be placed in the street with their wheels resting tightly against the curb, leaving at least two feet of clearance between each container to give the mechanical arms room to maneuver. To avoid blocking pedestrian routes, keeping bins completely off the sidewalks is required, and residents must store their carts out of public view within 12 hours after servicing.
Understanding the Three-Container Curbside System
Claremont relies on a precise three-container separation strategy to keep recyclable and compostable items out of municipal landfills. The black container is designated exclusively for non-recyclable household trash. The blue container accepts clean, loose, and unbagged household recyclables. The third stream is reserved for blended organic waste, dynamically processing traditional yard trimmings alongside everyday food scraps to comply fully with state organic recycling standards.
Free Household Drop-Off Options at the City Yard
For residential situations that generate material outside standard weekly limits, Claremont maintains an exclusive Residential Recycling Center at the local City Yard on Monte Vista Avenue. Open 24 hours from Friday through Sunday, this specialized facility allows locals to drop off extra quantities of sorted cardboard, clean paper, metal cans, and plastic containers completely free of charge. Household hazardous items and bulky loose trash are strictly forbidden at this drop-off site.
Drop-off Facilities
Claremont Residential Recycling Center
1616 Monte Vista Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
Materials Accepted
City Yard Community Services Office
1616 Monte Vista Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I dispose of used motor oil and automotive filters safely in Claremont?
The City of Claremont provides a free, grant-funded curbside used motor oil recycling program. Residents can call Community Services at 909-399-5431 to request official collection containers and schedule a free porch or curb pickup.
Where should I drop off residential sharps and medical needles?
Claremont residents can utilize the drop-off program at the City Yard (1616 Monte Vista Avenue). Sharps must be securely sealed inside an approved hazardous waste container and turned in Monday through Thursday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
What happens if my trash cart is consistently full or overflowing?
If you routinely outgrow your container volume, you can contact the Community Services Department to request an additional trash cart for a monthly fee. Additional blue recycling or green organic carts can also be requested.
Can I put residential renovation materials like concrete or plaster into my black cart?
No. The city will not collect dirt, rocks, mortar, concrete, plaster, or heavy building materials in standard curbside containers. Residents must contact Community Services to rent a dedicated temporary roll-off container or lowboy bin for construction projects.