Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fountain Valley
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Tuesday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash (blue cart).
Yard Waste
Organics and yard waste are collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash (green cart).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste collection is contracted through Republic Services and conveniently billed every two months as part of your City of Fountain Valley municipal water bill.
Billing Cycle
Bimonthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In-Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Residents aged 62 and older are eligible for a senior discount trash rate providing a 10% reduction on the waste disposal portion. Apply at City Hall with a valid California ID.
Brown Bin (Trash)
Place all non-recyclable, non-compostable trash in the brown cart. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with the lid completely closed and the opening facing the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Garden hoses and broken toys
- ✓Dishes, ceramics, and mirrors
- ✓Fats, oils, and grease (in sealed containers)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Treated wood and normal household refuse
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag your recyclables; keep them loose in the blue cart to ensure they can be successfully sorted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper bags
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Empty plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Liquids
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Textiles or clothing
Yard Waste Bin
Food waste can be placed directly into the green cart or contained within an uncoated paper bag. Do not use plastic bags, and avoid using so-called 'compostable' plastic cups or utensils, as they are not accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Tree branches and shrubbery trimmings
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products
- ✓Breads, pastas, and plate scrapings
- ✓Food-soiled paper and uncoated paper bags
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four free collections per year (up to 10 items each).
Placement
Call Republic Services at (714) 847-3581 to schedule your 10/4 pickup in advance. Place approved items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled morning.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture, mattresses, and box springs
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerators, washers, ovens, water heaters)
- ✓ Area rugs (rolled, secured, max 6 feet)
- ✓ Bagged trash exceeding cart capacity (max 40 lbs per bag)
- ✓ Excess moving boxes
- ✓ Bundled palm fronds and branches (max 4 feet and 40 lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Remodeling debris (intact vanity cabinets, sinks, toilets, doors)
- ✕ Cast iron tubs
- ✕ Construction and demolition waste
- ✕ Universal waste (e-waste)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Commercial and multi-family bin customers can also schedule bulk collections but are subject to a per-item fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed major holiday, your trash, recycling, and street sweeping service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The one-day holiday delay applies equally to the green organics and yard waste cart.
Ticketing for street sweeping is historically paused when the collection schedule is adjusted for these specific six holidays. Always verify exact sweeping hours via the signage on your neighborhood's street light poles.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to mid-JanuaryDuring the holiday season, remember that wrapping paper with foil or glitter cannot be recycled. Please place these materials in the brown trash cart.
Year-Round Maintenance
ContinuousIf heavy storms or seasonal landscaping result in excess palm fronds or oversized tree branches that exceed your green cart's capacity, you can bundle them (under 4 feet in length and 40 pounds) and use one of your free 10/4 Program pickups for removal.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Republic Services Waste Collection in Fountain Valley
Residents of Fountain Valley rely on Republic Services for modern and reliable waste management. A fleet of quiet, eco-friendly compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks handles the weekly residential pickup routes across the city. To ensure your household refuse is collected without delay, all designated containers must be placed along the street by 7:00 a.m. on your specific service day. Once the route is complete and your bins have been emptied, local regulations state that they should be safely removed from public view by 9:00 p.m. that evening.
Understanding the Three-Cart Color System
Fountain Valley households are equipped with three spacious 95-gallon carts to effectively separate their daily disposal. It is crucial to know which materials belong in each specific color. The brown cart serves as the receptacle for everyday non-recyclable trash and general household garbage. For clean paper, flattened cardboard, glass bottles, and rigid plastics, you will use the blue recycling container. Lastly, in compliance with California's state mandates to reduce landfill methane, the green cart is dedicated to organics. This container is meant exclusively for yard trimmings, grass clippings, and compostable food waste.
Guidelines for Curbside Placement
Because Republic Services utilizes automated lifting arms to empty containers, residents must arrange their carts carefully at the curb. Place your bins side-by-side with enough clearance so the mechanical arm can easily grab them without knocking over neighboring containers. Ensure there is adequate space between your garbage cans and stationary objects like parked vehicles, lamp posts, or mailboxes. The arrows on the cart lids should point toward the street, and the wheels should rest against the curb.
The Innovative 10/4 Bulky Item Program
Getting rid of old furniture or broken appliances is incredibly convenient thanks to the city's 10/4 Program. Fountain Valley provides residential households with four complimentary large-item pickups every single year. During each scheduled appointment, you can place up to ten bulky items on the curb. This service is essential for safely disposing of oversized couches, mattresses, or electronic waste that cannot fit inside a standard 95-gallon cart. You must contact Republic Services at (714) 847-3581 ahead of time to reserve your pickup date.
Reporting a Missed Pickup and Mobile Tools
If your containers were out by 7:00 a.m. but remain full at the end of the day, you must act quickly. Residents need to notify Republic Services within 24 hours of their scheduled day to arrange a makeup collection, which usually happens the following business day. For enhanced convenience, locals are encouraged to download the 'With My Resource' smartphone application. This handy app allows you to request replacement carts, check holiday schedules, and easily book your bulky item collections right from your mobile device.
Drop-off Facilities
Republic Services HHW Collection Center (Gate 6)
17121 Nichols Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the Fountain Valley 10/4 Program?
The 10/4 Program is a bulky item collection service for residential cart customers in Fountain Valley. It allows you to schedule up to four free large-item pickups per calendar year, with a generous limit of 10 qualifying items per appointment. You must call Republic Services to schedule this service.
How do I properly recycle food waste in Fountain Valley?
Under SB 1383, all organic food waste—such as meat, dairy, vegetable scraps, and food-soiled paper—must be placed in your green organics cart. You can put these items directly into the green cart or contain them within an uncoated paper bag. Do not use plastic bags.
Are there delays to my Republic Services trash pickup on holidays?
Yes. Republic Services observes six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your pickup falls on or after one of these days during the workweek, your collection will be delayed by one day.
Where can Fountain Valley residents take old paint and household chemicals?
Household hazardous waste cannot go in your curbside carts. Fountain Valley residents can drop off these toxic materials for free at the nearby Republic Services facility located at 17121 Nichols Street (Gate 6) in Huntington Beach, open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.