Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Escondido
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (weekly on trash day)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (weekly on trash day)
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 provided by Escondido Disposal (EDI), while municipal water and wastewater services are billed separately by the City of Escondido.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, AutoPay, Phone, Text, Mail, In Person
Gray Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the container so the lid closes completely. Do not overfill the cart or pack it with heavy construction debris, as overweight carts will not be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household trash
- ✓Diapers and feminine hygiene products
- ✓Foam packing peanuts
- ✓Ceramics and broken window glass
- ✓Treated wood (small pieces)
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep all items empty, clean, dry, and loose. Do not bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, unsoiled paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and rigid plastics marked #1-#7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum and tin/steel cans
- ✓Cereal boxes and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and grocery film
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕PVC pipes and vinyl
- ✕Batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
No plastic bags of any kind are permitted, including those labeled 'compostable'. Use standard paper bags to contain food waste or place it directly into the green cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, paper napkins, coffee filters)
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Small branches and tree trimmings
- ✓Natural fibers (popsicle sticks, wooden chopsticks)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand pickups must be scheduled directly with Escondido Disposal Inc. (EDI).
Placement
Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day, keeping them clear of your standard carts, vehicles, and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Televisions and electronics
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Concrete, rocks, and dirt
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid chemicals
- ✕ Tires
Items containing Freon (such as refrigerators or AC units) will incur higher processing and environmental disposal fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no delay in service.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
EDI/EDCO observes a standard set of major holidays; local or minor holidays typically do not disrupt collection schedules.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter/Holidays
December to JanuaryNatural Christmas trees are collected curbside. Remove all stands, lights, and ornaments, and cut the tree in half if it exceeds four feet. Flocked or artificial trees are not accepted in the green cart and must go to the landfill.
Rainy Season
December to MarchDuring winter storms, it is crucial to keep all cart lids completely closed to keep recyclables dry and prevent loose trash from washing into Escondido's storm drains.
Summer Heat
June to SeptemberTo prevent odors and pests in your green cart during the hot summer, store your food scraps in a container in the fridge or freezer during the week and only empty them into the cart the night before your collection day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Escondido Disposal Inc. Collection Rules and Bin Placement
For residents of Escondido, curbside trash and recycling are managed through a partnership with Escondido Disposal Inc. (EDI), which operates within the broader Republic Services network. To guarantee smooth weekly pickups, you need to wheel your assigned carts to the street edge early on your collection morning. The automated lifting arms on the garbage trucks require a minimum of three feet of clearance between each container. Be sure to steer clear of parked vehicles, low-hanging trees, and mailboxes so the driver has unobstructed access. Keep the hinges of the lids facing your property to allow the cart to empty properly into the hopper. Taking the time to position your bins correctly prevents messy spills and ensures your neighborhood streets remain tidy.
Proper Use of Your Blue Recycling Cart
Maintaining a clean recycling stream is critical in Escondido. The blue cart is dedicated to household recyclables like clean corrugated cardboard, unsoiled paper, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and rigid plastics. A fundamental rule of thumb is to never bag your recyclables. Toss them into the cart completely loose. Plastic grocery bags and thin films are notoriously known for jamming up the machinery at the EDI Material Recovery Facility. Furthermore, make sure all food and liquid residues are rinsed out of your jars and bottles before tossing them in. Contaminated loads can end up in the local landfill, so keeping your blue bin strictly for approved items helps the city hit its long-term environmental targets.
Organics and Green Waste Diversion Mandates
In compliance with California's SB 1383 legislation, the City of Escondido mandates the separation of organic materials from the standard waste stream. Your green waste cart is no longer just for grass clippings, leaves, and pruned branches. Residents are now required to place all kitchen food scraps, including vegetable peelings, meat bones, and coffee grounds, directly into the organics bin. By composting this material rather than burying it in a landfill, the region actively cuts down on methane gas emissions. Remember to avoid tossing any plastic bags, dirt, rocks, or treated wood into this container, as these specific contaminants will instantly ruin the commercial composting process.
Hazardous Waste, E-Waste, and Bulky Item Disposal
You cannot simply throw old televisions, wet paint, or heavy furniture into your regular curbside carts. Fortunately, Escondido residents have excellent local resources for specialized disposal. For household hazardous waste (HHW) such as motor oil, pesticides, and batteries, EDI operates a specialized drop-off facility located on West Washington Avenue. This center is available two Saturdays a month, but you must call their hotline ahead of time to secure an appointment. For bulky items like worn-out couches or broken appliances, residents can arrange a customized pickup with EDI to keep heavy trash off the sidewalks. During major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, remember that your standard collection day will likely shift forward by one day.
Drop-off Facilities
Escondido Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
1044 W Washington Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Materials Accepted
EDCO Resource Recovery / Transfer Station
1021 W. Mission Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Escondido offer free bulky item pickup for furniture?
The City of Escondido and EDI do not offer unlimited free bulky item pickups. You can schedule a special curbside collection for items like couches and mattresses by calling EDI, but a per-item disposal fee applies.
Can I put food waste in my green yard waste bin in Escondido?
Yes. Under California's SB 1383, you must put all organic waste, including food scraps (meat, dairy, bones) and food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters), into your green organics cart alongside your yard trimmings.
Are compostable bags allowed in the green cart in Escondido?
No. Escondido Disposal strictly prohibits any plastic bags, including those labeled as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable', from the green organics cart. You may use standard paper bags to contain food waste instead.
Where can I dispose of old paint and batteries in Escondido?
Residents can drop off household hazardous waste (HHW) like paint, batteries, and motor oil at the EDCO facility on Washington Avenue. It is open two Saturdays a month by appointment only. You must call ahead to schedule your drop-off.