Black (or Gray Body with Gray Lid) Bin (Trash)
All regular household trash should be bagged. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day (but no earlier than noon the day before) with handles facing the home.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household garbage
- ✓Styrofoam packing materials
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Palm fronds and cacti
- ✓Treated wood and broken ceramics
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
Green (or Gray Body with Blue Lid) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Junk mail and office paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film wrap
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clothing or textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Organics must be placed directly into the cart or contained in a paper bag. Do not use plastic bags, compostable bioplastics, or include dirt, rocks, or palm fronds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree and brush trimmings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, produce)
- ✓Food-soiled paper products
- ✓Paper bags (for containing food waste)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 3 free collections per calendar year.
Placement
You must schedule the pickup by calling Republic Services at (714) 238-3300 at least 24 hours prior to your regular collection day. Place items safely at the curb alongside your regular carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, mattresses, tables)
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-refrigerant)
- ✓ Computers and electronic waste
- ✓ Excess bundled yard waste
- ✓ Refrigerators and AC units (may require a small recovery fee)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, motor oil)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt, rocks)
- ✕ Automotive tires and car batteries
- ✕ Industrial or commercial waste
If you exhaust your three free pickups, or have items containing Freon (like older refrigerators), additional fees may apply. Always verify when scheduling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your normal collection day falls on or after an observed holiday during the workweek, your collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard trash collection.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard collection schedule remains unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Palm Fronds in the Trash
Unlike standard tree branches and leaves, palm fronds and cacti are highly fibrous and do not break down properly in the commercial composting process. Always place them in your black/gray trash cart, never in the organics cart.
No 'Compostable' Plastics
Even if a plastic cup or bag is marketed as 'compostable' or 'BPI-Certified,' it is not accepted in Garden Grove's organics program. These items do not degrade fast enough at the local facility and must go in the trash.
E-Waste Doesn't Belong in Bins
Old cell phones, computers, and batteries contain toxic heavy metals and pose a severe fire risk to collection trucks. Utilize the free bi-monthly Community Cleanup Days to safely dispose of these electronics.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryRepublic Services provides free holiday tree recycling for several weeks following Christmas. Trees must be bare (no ornaments or stands). Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half. Flocked trees cannot be composted and must go in the trash cart.
Bi-Monthly
Year-RoundThe City hosts Community Cleanup Days every other month at varying locations. These self-serve events allow residents to drop off bulky items, e-waste, and batteries for free. Proof of Garden Grove residency is required.
Year-Round
January to DecemberSB 1383 mandates cart contamination inspections. Republic Services conducts random lid flips. If your cart is heavily contaminated with incorrect items, it may be tagged and serviced as trash, which can incur additional fees.
About Garden Grove Waste Management
Garden Grove's Waste Management Transition
Solid waste services in Garden Grove are managed through a partnership between the Garden Grove Sanitary District (GGSD) and Republic Services. The city is currently undergoing a multi-year container swap to comply with California's standardized cart colors. While older carts feature solid black (trash), green (recycling), and brown (organics) bodies, the new SB 1383-compliant carts all feature a uniform gray body with distinct gray, blue, and green lids.
SB 1383 Compliance and the Organics Cart
To divert climate-altering methane from local landfills, all Garden Grove residents must now place their kitchen food scraps into their organics cart (which may be solid brown or feature a green lid) alongside their yard trimmings. This includes meat, dairy, bones, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes. Residents may use a standard paper bag to contain food scraps to keep the cart clean, but plastic bags and bioplastics are strictly forbidden.
Generous Bulky Item Pickups and Cleanup Days
Republic Services provides Garden Grove residents with exceptional bulky waste disposal options. Each residential account is entitled to three free curbside bulky item collections per calendar year, with an allowance of up to 10 large items per scheduled appointment. Additionally, the city hosts free self-serve Community Cleanup Days every other month at various local sites, allowing residents to safely dispose of e-waste and large furniture.
Free Curbside Used Motor Oil Collection
Garden Grove offers a highly convenient, free curbside collection program specifically for used motor oil and oil filters. By calling the dedicated toll-free number (800-449-7587), residents can request a specialized pickup without ever having to transport the hazardous fluids in their personal vehicles. Ensure the oil is secured in a clean, sealed plastic container before setting it out on your scheduled day.
Drop-off Facilities
North Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
1071 North Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, CA 92806
Materials Accepted
CVT Public Disposal and Recycling Center
1071 North Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, CA 92806
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a free bulky item pickup in Garden Grove?
Garden Grove residents receive up to three free bulky item pickups per calendar year, with a maximum of 10 items per pickup. You must call Republic Services Customer Service at (714) 238-3300 at least 24 hours before your normal collection day to schedule the appointment.
Can I use plastic bags in the organics cart for my food waste?
No. Plastic bags, including those marketed as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable,' are strictly banned from the organics cart as they contaminate the compost. If you wish to bag your kitchen food scraps before placing them in the cart, you must use a standard paper bag.
Where can I recycle my used motor oil without driving to a hazardous waste center?
Garden Grove offers a free curbside collection program specifically for used motor oil and oil filters. You can schedule a free pickup by calling the toll-free hotline at (800) 449-7587. Ensure the oil is in a clean, sealed plastic container no larger than 5 gallons.
What should I do with old cans of paint and cleaning chemicals?
Household hazardous waste cannot go in your curbside bins or be collected during bulky item pickups. Garden Grove residents should transport paint, chemicals, and pesticides to the North Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1071 North Blue Gum Street in Anaheim. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.