Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Encinitas
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as trash pickup (weekly)
Yard Waste
Same day as trash pickup (weekly)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste, recycling, and organics services are provided exclusively through EDCO and billed directly on a bi-monthly schedule.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The $10 household hazardous waste home collection copay is waived for residents age 65 and older. Lower monthly rates are also available by downsizing to 35-gallon carts.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Place carts at street level with the wheels against the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled service day. Ensure the lid is completely closed to avoid litter and pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Ceramics and drinking glasses
- ✓Mirrors and window glass
- ✓Clothing and shoes (if not donatable)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables. Containers should be empty and free of heavy food liquids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1-7 (bottles, jugs, jars)
- ✓Clean paper, newspaper, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard and clean food boxes
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Aseptic cartons (milk, juice, soup)
- ✓Styrofoam packaging blocks (must be cut to fit)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✕Food residue and liquids
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Light bulbs and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use any type of plastic bag (including compostable or biodegradable bags). Wrap food scraps in newspaper or use an uncoated paper bag to absorb moisture.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and small branches
- ✓Meat, fish, poultry, and bones
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and dairy products
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Food-soiled paper products and pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Upon request (subject to a nominal fee)
Placement
You must call EDCO at (760) 436-4151 to schedule and pay for your bulky item pickup. Do not place large items on the curb until your appointment date is confirmed.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-freon)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or rock
- ✕ Explosives or ammunition
A nominal fee applies for standard curbside bulk item pickups. Alternatively, EDCO occasionally hosts free bulky-item drop-off cleanup events for the community.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, waste removal services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
This one-day delay applies uniformly to all EDCO residential services, including the gray, blue, and green carts.
Holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday do not delay waste removal services for the regular weekday schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
June to SeptemberTo minimize strong odors and pests in your green cart during warm coastal summers, keep the cart in a shaded area and freeze meat or dairy scraps in a paper bag until the morning of your collection day.
Winter
DecemberDuring the holiday season, practice 'precycling' by opting for reusable gift bags or recyclable wrapping paper. Remember that metallic wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows cannot be recycled and must go in the gray trash cart.
Local Tips & Community Info
Encinitas Residential Waste Collection by EDCO
For residents of Encinitas, comprehensive residential waste and recycling services are managed through an exclusive franchise agreement with EDCO. This partnership is designed to help the community reduce its reliance on local landfills, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable daily habits. Every single-family household is equipped with a color-coded cart system designated for standard garbage, commingled recyclables, and organic materials. By strictly separating these waste streams, Encinitas homeowners play a direct role in maintaining the pristine coastal environment of San Diego County.
Street-Side Cart Placement Guidelines
To guarantee that the automated collection trucks can service your neighborhood smoothly, it is crucial to follow EDCO's curbside placement rules. Carts should be wheeled out to the edge of the street by 6:00 a.m. on your assigned trash day. Position the containers side-by-side with the wheels against the curb and the lid opening facing the street. EDCO requires a minimum of two feet of clearance between each cart and at least three feet of distance from parked vehicles, mailboxes, and trees. Once the trucks have emptied the bins, city ordinances require that you pull them back onto your private property by the end of the day.
Strict Rules for Plastics and Recycling
The blue recycling cart is meant for loose, unbagged items like cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. One of the most important rules in Encinitas is the strict prohibition of soft plastics in the blue bin. Flimsy plastic grocery bags, shrink wrap, and garbage bags easily tangle up and break the sorting machines at local recycling facilities. If you have plastic bags, you must either drop them off at designated retail recycling stations—such as the local Target on N El Camino Real or Walmart on Leucadia Blvd—or discard them securely in the gray trash container. Your green organics cart should be used exclusively for yard trimmings and food scraps.
Large Item Disposal and E-Waste Recovery
When you need to get rid of oversized items that cannot fit into a standard 96-gallon cart, EDCO provides a convenient bulky item pickup program. Residents can schedule the removal of old furniture, broken household appliances, mattresses, and electronic waste directly through the EDCO portal or by calling their customer service line. E-waste, such as old televisions and computer monitors, contains hazardous components that are strictly banned from standard landfills and must be processed separately to protect the local soil and groundwater.
Utilizing WasteFreeSD and Local Donation Centers
Before throwing usable items into the trash, the city heavily encourages residents to look into donation and repair options. Encinitas participates in the WasteFreeSD initiative, a zero-waste database maintained by I Love A Clean San Diego. This database helps residents find responsible disposal solutions for difficult items, including textiles, leftover paint, and household chemicals. Locally, there are numerous thrift stores, consignment shops, and charity organizations located along Coast Hwy 101 and Encinitas Blvd that gladly accept gently used clothing and home goods.
Holiday Schedule Adjustments
Waste collection schedules in Encinitas are subject to slight shifts during major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your normal service day happens to fall on or after one of these recognized holidays, EDCO will delay your residential pickup by one single day for the remainder of that week. For example, a Thursday collection will be moved to Friday. Normal collection routing resumes the following Monday without any further interruptions.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
1145 E. Taylor Street, Vista, CA 92084
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my food scraps in a compostable plastic bag before throwing them in the green cart?
No. EDCO strictly prohibits all types of plastic bags, including those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable,' in the green organics cart. They cannot break down in the anaerobic digester. You should use a paper bag or wrap your scraps in newspaper instead.
How do I dispose of a broken television or old paint in Encinitas?
E-waste and household hazardous waste (HHW) cannot go in your curbside carts. You can drop them off for free at the Vista HHW Facility on Saturdays, or schedule a home pickup through EDCO. Pickups involving paint or chemicals require a $10 copay, which is waived for seniors 65 and older.
Are milk and juice cartons recyclable in Encinitas?
Yes. Aseptic cartons, including milk cartons, juice boxes, and soup or wine cartons, are fully recyclable. Make sure they are empty and place them loosely in your blue recycling cart.
What time do I need to put my trash carts on the curb?
You must place your gray, blue, and green automated carts at street level with the wheels against the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled service day. Ensure there is at least two feet of distance between the carts and three feet from any parked cars or mailboxes.