Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Covina
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and organics services are managed and billed directly through Athens Services rather than bundled with municipal water bills.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Qualifying low-income senior citizens are eligible for a discounted 30-gallon refuse container rate by submitting an application through the Environmental Services Division.
Black Bin (Trash)
All landfill-bound waste must be placed inside the black barrel with the lid completely closed. Barrels must be placed at the curb the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on the day of service.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Disposable wipes and diapers
- ✓Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Coated paper products
Blue or Gray Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, empty of liquids, and tossed loosely into the blue or gray barrel. Never bag your recyclables, as the bags tangle the sorting equipment.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Office paper and mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and dry cleaning film
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Ceramic, porcelain, or window glass
- ✕Styrofoam and bubble wrap
Yard Waste Bin
Place all yard trimmings and kitchen food scraps directly into the green barrel. Do not use plastic bags to hold food waste, as plastics will contaminate the commercial compost.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, prunings, and small branches
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓100% plant-fiber food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available upon request.
Placement
Once scheduled, place the approved bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the day of your regular trash service.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances (water heaters, air conditioners)
- ✓ Bundled yard trimmings
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (e-waste)
- ✕ Automobile tires and parts
- ✕ Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, motor oil)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt)
Bulky item collection is free for all Covina residential customers, including those in apartments. Commercial and industrial customers are subject to a nominal charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regular collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The one-day holiday delay applies equally to all curbside containers: trash, recycling, and organics.
If a major holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no service interruptions during the week, and the normal collection schedule remains in effect.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing Christmas Day, Athens Services collects holiday trees at the curbside [2.2.1]. Ensure all ornaments, stands, and tinsel are completely removed. Trees that have been flocked (sprayed with fake snow) or treated with fire retardants cannot be composted and must be placed in the black trash barrel.
Autumn
September - NovemberDuring heavy fall trimming, ensure all prunings, leaves, and small branches fit completely within your green barrel. If you have excess landscaping debris that exceeds your barrel's capacity, you must securely bundle the yard trimmings and schedule them as part of a free bulky item pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Covina's Curbside Collection Protocol
Maintaining a clean and welcoming neighborhood in Covina starts with adhering to the city's structured residential waste collection program. Serviced primarily by the city's franchised waste hauler, Athens Services, standard curbside collection operates on a Monday through Friday schedule. To avoid missing the truck, residents are instructed to place their designated carts at the curb either the night before their assigned service day or no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of pickup. Covina households are typically issued a standard three-cart setup consisting of 90-gallon barrels: a black cart for general refuse, a blue or gray cart for recycling, and a green cart for organics. After the trucks have emptied the bins, it is the resident's responsibility to retrieve the carts and store them out of public view by the evening. The local hauler’s customer service line is readily available for reporting missed pickups or requesting a container repair if one of your barrels becomes damaged.
Proper Sorting for Blue and Gray Recycling Carts
To help Covina reach its sustainability goals, it is essential to correctly utilize your blue or gray recycling barrel. These containers are specifically meant for clean, dry, and unsoiled recyclable materials. Acceptable items include flattened corrugated cardboard, clean pizza boxes (without grease), mixed office paper, magazines, glass bottles, metal cans, and rigid plastics like detergent jugs and beverage containers. It is critical that all recyclables are completely empty of liquid and food residue before they are tossed into the bin. You should never bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags; instead, place them loosely inside the barrel so they can be easily sorted at the materials recovery facility. Items such as styrofoam, thin plastic film, and tangled electronic cords are considered contaminants and must be placed in the black trash barrel.
SB 1383 Compliance and Green Organics Bins
In compliance with California’s SB 1383 legislation aimed at reducing short-lived climate pollutants, Covina residents must separate all organic waste from their regular household trash. Your green organics barrel is designed to accept both yard trimmings and food scraps. You can safely dispose of grass clippings, small branches, prunings, fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy products, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper directly into the green cart. To prevent odors and deter pests, the city recommends placing food scraps into a clear plastic bag or a paper bag before tossing them in, keeping the barrel lid securely closed, or storing meat and dairy scraps in the freezer until the night before collection. Sprinkling baking soda inside your kitchen caddy or the green barrel is also a highly effective method for neutralizing unpleasant smells.
Managing Bulky Items and E-Waste Disposal
When you are doing some spring cleaning or replacing old furniture, do not attempt to shove oversized items into your standard 90-gallon carts. Covina provides specialized solutions for bulky waste and electronic waste disposal. Residents can schedule a bulky item pickup for large objects such as mattresses, bed frames, sofas, and major kitchen appliances by contacting their designated waste hauler in advance. Please note that hazardous materials, explosives, ammunition, and wet paint are strictly prohibited from both the regular trash and bulky item pickups. Instead, these dangerous materials, along with electronic waste like old televisions and computers, should be brought to a Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Collection Event. For items like household batteries and small portable electronics, Covina City Hall offers a convenient drop-off bin during regular business hours.
Holiday Delays and Bin Placement Standards
The rhythm of Covina's waste collection shifts slightly during the observance of major holidays. The standard holiday schedule includes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If any of these recognized holidays falls on a weekday, residential collection services will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week. For example, a Wednesday pickup will move to Thursday. When dragging your carts to the street, spatial awareness is vital. Always ensure your barrels are placed side-by-side with sufficient clearance—at least two to three feet apart—so the automated mechanical arms on the collection trucks can grab them without knocking them over. Keep your carts clear of parked cars, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches.
Drop-off Facilities
Irwindale Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
2200 Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA 91706
Materials Accepted
Los Angeles-Glendale S.A.F.E. Center
4600 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the official trash collector for Covina, CA?
Athens Services is the exclusive franchise waste hauler for the City of Covina, providing comprehensive trash, recycling, and organic waste collection for all residents and businesses.
How do I throw away an old mattress or couch in Covina?
Covina residential customers receive free bulky item pickups. You simply need to contact Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 or submit a request online at least one day before your regularly scheduled trash day to have items like mattresses and couches removed.
Does Covina offer a trash discount for senior citizens?
Yes. Qualifying low-income senior citizens (aged 62 or older) can apply for a specialized discount program through the Environmental Services Division. Approved applicants will receive a smaller 30-gallon refuse container at a reduced monthly rate.
Will my trash be picked up on Thanksgiving Day in Covina?
No. Athens Services observes Thanksgiving Day, along with New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Christmas Day. If your normal collection day falls on or after the holiday, your service will be delayed by one day for the rest of that week.