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
!Contamination Tips
Say No to Plastic Bags in the Blue Barrel
Never bag your recyclables or place plastic grocery bags, dry cleaning film, or cellophane in the blue barrel. These thin plastics cause severe tangling in the MRF's machinery. Place all film plastics in the black trash barrel.
Keep E-Waste Out of Your Bins
Electronic waste (like computers, TVs, and cords) and tires are strictly prohibited in all curbside barrels and cannot be collected during bulky item pickups. These hazardous materials require specialized drop-off at designated Los Angeles County collection centers.
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.
About Covina Waste Management
Covina's Exclusive Partnership with Athens Services
The City of Covina exclusively partners with Athens Services for all residential and commercial solid waste collection [1.1.1]. Using a highly efficient three-barrel system, Athens Services actively helps the city meet both local sustainability targets and statewide diversion mandates, ensuring that standard refuse, commingled recyclables, and organic materials are reliably collected at the curbside every week.
Adapting to SB 1383 Organics Requirements
In direct response to California's SB 1383 climate legislation, Covina residents are required to separate all organic waste from standard landfill refuse. The provided green barrel acts as an all-in-one organics container—designed to accept landscaping debris, kitchen food scraps, and 100% plant-fiber food-soiled paper. Once collected, these materials are processed into nutrient-rich mulch and soil amendments at facilities like the American Organics compost facility in Victorville.
Free and Convenient Bulky Item Disposal
To prevent illegal dumping and maintain neighborhood cleanliness, Covina offers residential households, including apartment tenants, highly convenient bulky waste collections completely free of charge. You can easily dispose of large items such as broken furniture, mattresses, old appliances, and heavily bundled yard trimmings by contacting Athens Services to schedule a pickup at least one day before your regular collection day.
Specialized Discounts for Qualifying Seniors
Recognizing the unique needs of its community, Covina provides a specialized Low-Income Senior Citizen Discount program for its refuse services. Qualifying low-income seniors aged 62 or older can apply through the city's Environmental Services Division to receive a downsized 30-gallon refuse container at a significantly discounted monthly rate, offering essential cost relief while still providing full curbside benefits.
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.