Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for El Monte
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste collection is serviced by Valley Vista Services and billed on a quarterly schedule.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen discounts (age 62+), Low-Income Senior discounts, and Low-Income Disabled discounts are available upon application.
Brown Bin (Trash)
Place all non-recyclable, non-hazardous household waste inside the brown cart. All trash should be securely bagged, and the cart lid must close completely to prevent litter and deter scavengers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Plastic bags and film
- ✓Styrofoam and foam products
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Treated wood or unrecyclable materials
- ✓Broken ceramics and window glass
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable items must be empty, clean, and dry. Place items loosely in the blue cart without bagging them in plastic. Break down all cardboard boxes to maximize bin space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard trimmings loosely in the green cart. Food waste can be contained in certified compostable bags before being placed into the bin. Never use standard plastic trash bags for organics.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree branches and weeds
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables, bones)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✓Compostable bags containing food waste
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 20 bulky items per year per single-family household
Placement
Place scheduled bulky items safely at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day, ensuring they do not block sidewalks, traffic lanes, or your automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, desks, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Appliances (stoves, washers, dryers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Business or commercial waste
- ✕ Hazardous materials (chemicals, paint, asbestos)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
Single-family homes receive the pickup of up to 20 items per calendar year completely free of charge. Items beyond this allowance or requests from commercial units may incur additional fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your regularly scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and green waste collection are subject to the exact same one-day holiday delay as standard trash and recycling pickups.
If a designated holiday falls on a weekend, residential collection schedules are generally unaffected. Always place carts out by 6:00 a.m. on your adjusted collection day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryDuring the weeks following Christmas, Valley Vista Services offers curbside pickup for bare, unflocked holiday trees. Trees over six feet tall must be cut in half before being placed next to your green cart on collection day.
Summer
July to SeptemberIn the peak summer heat of the San Gabriel Valley, utilizing the compostable bag method for your food scraps in the green cart is highly recommended. This mitigates strong odors and prevents maggots from accumulating in the bin.
Local Tips & Community Info
El Monte's Curbside Refuse Partnership
Residential sanitation across the City of El Monte is managed through a franchise agreement with Valley Vista Services. Every single-family household utilizes a designated three-cart color-coded system to manage daily household waste effectively. A predictable weekly routine ensures neighborhoods remain free of clutter. Homeowners and renters with inquiries regarding their specific routing day or those needing container replacements can reach out directly to the local Valley Vista Services customer support desk.
Container Roll-Out Regulations
Timeliness and correct placement are critical for smooth street operations. Residents must wheel their receptacles to the curb either the night before or no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of their assigned pickup. The automated collection trucks require at least three feet of clearance around each bin to safely operate their mechanical arms. Keep the bins away from parked cars and fire hydrants. The brown cart is strictly for regular landfill trash, while the blue and green carts handle material diversion.
Mandated Organics and Recycling
In compliance with California's SB 1383 climate pollutant regulations, El Monte requires all households to participate in the Organic Waste Reduction Program. Your green cart is the mandatory destination for all yard trimmings and kitchen food scraps, including vegetable peels and food-soiled paper. The blue cart is designed for unbagged, clean recyclables like flattened cardboard, office paper, and aluminum cans. Diverting these materials from the landfill directly supports statewide greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Bulky Waste Pickup Procedures
Handling a garage cleanout or replacing old furniture is convenient for El Monte residents. Rather than paying dump fees or illegally leaving items in the alleyway, locals can request specialized bulky waste pickups directly through Valley Vista Services. This program accommodates large, heavy objects like discarded mattresses, old sofas, and broken appliances. Make sure to schedule your pickup over the phone in advance, as unannounced oversized items left on the curb will not be collected by standard routing trucks.
Holiday Schedule Shifts
Your routine garbage collection may experience minor interruptions during significant national holidays. Valley Vista Services observes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a recognized holiday falls on a regular weekday, all subsequent collections for that week will slide forward by a single day. Weekend holidays do not impact the regular Monday through Friday schedules.
Drop-off Facilities
Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility (PHMRF)
13130 Crossroads Pkwy S, City of Industry, CA 91746
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles trash and recycling in El Monte, and what carts do I get?
Residential curbside collection is provided by Valley Vista Services (VVS) under an exclusive franchise agreement. Each single-family household receives three automated carts: a brown cart for trash, a blue cart for recycling, and a green cart for organic/yard waste.
What is the rule for disposing of food waste in El Monte?
To comply with California's SB 1383 mandate, all food scraps—including meat, bones, and dairy—must be placed in the green organics cart. You can place food waste loosely in the cart, or for better odor control, use certified compostable plastic bags within a kitchen pail before tossing them in the green bin.
How many bulky items can I throw away for free each year?
El Monte offers a very generous bulky item program. Single-family homes can request the free pickup of up to 20 bulky items (like mattresses, appliances, and furniture) per calendar year. You must contact VVS to schedule the pickup at least 24 hours in advance.
Will my trash collection day change if there is a holiday?
Yes. If a major holiday like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the Fourth of July falls on a weekday, all collection services for the remainder of that week will be pushed back by one day. Weekend holidays typically do not disrupt the schedule.