Black Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged and placed inside the cart. Carts must be set out by 6:00 AM on scheduled collection days with the wheels facing your home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged pet waste
- ✓Polystyrene and Styrofoam packaging
- ✓Disposable diapers and wipes
- ✓Soiled plastic wrap and grocery bags
- ✓Palm fronds and yucca leaves
- ✓Broken toys and household ceramics
Blue or Brown Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Clean, rinse, and thoroughly dry all items before placing them loosely in the blue or brown recycling bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel soup or beverage cans
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and rigid food tubs
- ✓Clean juice and milk cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or trash liners
- ✕Styrofoam products
- ✕Mirrors, window glass, and light bulbs
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes and food scraps
- ✕Garden hoses and extension cords
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place rocks, soil, plastic bags, animal feces, or treated lumber inside the organics bin. Food scraps may be layered with yard clippings to minimize odors.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves, flowers, and shrub prunings
- ✓Untreated and unpainted wood scraps
- ✓Meat, bones, dairy, and food leftovers
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, bread, and pasta
- ✓Greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, and napkins
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free bulky item pickups per calendar year
Placement
Place your scheduled bulky items at the curb by 6:00 AM on your standard collection day, keeping them clear of fire hydrants, parked vehicles, and street access.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, desks, chairs, and tables
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and microwave ovens
- ✓ Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners
- ✓ Televisions, computers, and general electronic waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous household waste (fuels, chemicals, motor oil)
- ✕ Automotive tires, batteries, and engines
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, drywall)
- ✕ Dirt, loose rock, sod, and sand
The first two pickup requests of the year are free. Additional bulky collection requests can be arranged with CR&R for a standard nominal service fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), collection schedules shift by exactly one day for the remainder of the week. For example, if a holiday lands on a Thursday, Thursday routes are serviced on Friday, and Friday routes on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services align directly with the delayed holiday trash schedule.
Normal collections proceed as scheduled if an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Fibrous Palm Fronds Out of Organics
Unlike standard yard waste, palm branches and fronds do not compost easily and damage municipal processing machinery. Place palm branches strictly in your black trash cart.
Loose Recyclables are Key
Do not wrap or bundle your recyclables in plastic shopping bags. Bagged items are rejected at the sorting facility because workers cannot safely slash open the bags on rapid conveyor belts.
Rinse Your Beach Picnic Containers
Empty containers of all soda, salsa, and food residue before recycling. Excess food and liquids quickly ruin pristine paper and cardboard inside the recycling truck.
Seasonal Information
Summer Coastline Collection
June - AugustTo accommodate heavy beach tourism and rental volume, single-family homes along Beach Road receive an additional weekly collection on Fridays, supplementing their standard Monday route.
Holiday Tree Recycling
December - JanuaryNatural Christmas trees are collected curbside for composting during the three weeks following December 25th. Residents must remove all tinsel, stands, and ornaments. Trees exceeding 6 feet in height must be cut in half.
About Dana Point Waste Management
Dana Point's Specialized Coastal Waste Services
In the scenic coastal community of Dana Point, residential solid waste, recycling, and organic programs are managed under a franchise agreement with CR&R Environmental Services. Guided by Orange County's strict conservation directives and California's aggressive waste reduction laws, this specialized service is fine-tuned to keep the local marina, pristine beaches, and residential streets clean and free of litter.
Targeted Curbside Schedules for High-Density and Beachfront Neighborhoods
Dana Point features unique neighborhood collection routing to accommodate local topography and seasonal tourism surges. Due to narrow alleyways and high density, the Lantern Village district (including Amber Lantern, El Encanto, and Violet Lantern) receives bi-weekly trash pickups on Mondays and Thursdays. Additionally, beachfront residents along Beach Road receive an extra Friday pickup during busy summer months to handle seasonal vacation refuse.
State-Mandated Organics and Food Waste Recycling
To comply with California Senate Bill 1383, Dana Point residents must utilize their green organics cart to divert food scraps, yard clippings, and food-soiled paper away from landfills. CR&R processes these organic materials into high-quality compost and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), significantly reducing municipal greenhouse gas emissions while actively protecting our delicate marine ecosystem.
Convenient At-Your-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection
To prevent toxic chemicals and heavy metals from entering ocean storm drains, the City of Dana Point offers a free, on-call door-side Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) pickup service. Instead of transporting hazardous chemicals to a regional landfill, residents can simply call CR&R to schedule a safe, front-door collection for paints, solvents, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and electronic waste.
Drop-off Facilities
Prima Deshecha Landfill
32250 La Pata Avenue, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace a dirty or damaged waste cart in Dana Point?
Yes. Dana Point residential utility customers are entitled to one free cart swap per calendar year to replace dirty, smelly, or cracked trash, recycling, or organics bins. Call CR&R at 877-728-0446 to schedule this service.
How can I dispose of household paint, motor oil, or electronic waste safely?
Dana Point offers a free, curbside Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) pickup service directly from your front door. Contact CR&R Customer Service at 877-728-0446 to schedule a pickup for batteries, paints, cleaners, and E-waste.
What is the Tri-Annual Bulky Item Clean-Up Event?
Dana Point hosts free Bulky Item Clean-Up Days three times a year (typically in February, May, and October) at Dana Hills High School and Palisades Elementary School. Residents can drop off oversized items, bring papers for free shredding, and donate reusable goods to Goodwill.
Why does the Lantern Village neighborhood have a different trash pickup schedule?
Due to narrow roads and alleys in the historic Lantern Village district, the city provides twice-weekly collection services on Mondays and Thursdays to prevent trash overflow and ease municipal parking impacts.