Black Bin (Trash)
Place all non-recyclable, non-compostable household refuse in the black trash cart. Trash should be bagged to prevent litter and spills when the truck empties the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic film and shrink wrap
- ✓Polystyrene foam containers
- ✓Diapers and bagged pet waste
- ✓Broken glass and ceramics
- ✓Shoes, clothing, and toys that cannot be donated
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
- ✓Hoses, disposable gloves, and hairnets
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose! Do not bag your recycling materials. Place items directly into the blue cart, ensuring they are relatively clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean foil
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Foam packaging
- ✕Clothing and textiles
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place food scraps into a clear plastic bag before depositing them into the green cart. Yard trimmings and untreated wood should remain loose in the container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and flowers
- ✓Small branches (under 3 inches thick and 4 feet long)
- ✓Untreated, clean wood scraps
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, coffee grounds, leftovers)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four free pickups per calendar year.
Placement
You must call WM Customer Service at (310) 366-7600 by 2:30 p.m. the day prior to your regularly scheduled service day to arrange the pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (chairs, sofas)
- ✓ Bagged mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (dishwashers, microwaves)
- ✓ E-waste (TVs, computers, monitors)
- ✓ Bundled tree branches and scrap wood
Not Accepted
- ✕ Loose trash
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, cleaners)
- ✕ Spas, camper shells, and pianos
- ✕ Items requiring more than two people to safely handle
- ✕ Construction and demolition dirt/concrete
If you require more than four pickups in a year, or if your items exceed the three-cubic-yard limit, additional collections can be scheduled for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a designated holiday falls on a weekday, collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Green organics carts are subject to the exact same holiday delay schedule as black trash and blue recycling carts.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay in your scheduled weekday service. Always place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Recyclables Must Stay Loose
Bagged recyclables are treated as trash at the sorting facility because plastic bags tangle in the machinery. Always empty your recyclables loosely directly into the blue cart.
Clear Bags for Food Scraps
Unlike the blue cart, the green organics cart allows you to contain your messy food waste (like meat and dairy) in a clear plastic bag to reduce odors and pests.
Beware of 'Tanglers'
Garden hoses, electrical cords, and clothing are massive hazards to recycling equipment. These items belong in your black trash cart, never the blue recycling cart.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
April & OctoberGardena hosts biannual community events, typically in the Spring and Fall, which include free residential paper shredding (up to 5 file boxes per tenant) at Rowley Park and neighborhood cleanups for multi-family complexes.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryDuring the winter holiday season, remember that metallic wrapping paper, ribbons, and tissue paper cannot be recycled and must go in the black trash cart. Check WM's schedule for post-holiday tree collection dates.
About Gardena Waste Management
Gardena's Transition to Waste Management (WM)
Effective May 1, 2026, the City of Gardena officially transitioned its residential and commercial waste hauling services from Waste Resources to Waste Management (WM). While the service provider has changed, residents can continue using their existing black, blue, and green carts. Collection days and rates remain exactly the same, but residents benefit from WM's advanced routing, reliable fleet, and robust online account management tools.
SB 1383 Compliance and the Clear Bag Rule
To comply with California's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, Gardena utilizes a strict three-cart system. A highly unique feature of Gardena's specific organics program under WM is the 'clear bag' rule. While most municipalities prohibit any plastic in the green cart, Gardena residents are specifically instructed to place their food scraps (including meat, dairy, and leftovers) into a clear plastic bag before putting them in the green organics container alongside loose yard waste.
Generous Bulky Item Collection Limits
Keeping Gardena's streets clear of illegal dumping is a top priority. Single-family households in the city are entitled to four free curbside bulky item or e-waste pickups per calendar year. Each scheduled pickup allows for the collection of up to three cubic yards of material, making it incredibly convenient to dispose of old furniture, appliances, or bagged mattresses. Residents must call WM by 2:30 p.m. the day before their regular service day to schedule.
Safe Disposal of Hazardous and Universal Waste
Items like lithium-ion batteries, fluorescent tubes, automotive fluids, and old paint pose severe fire and environmental risks and are strictly banned from all curbside carts. Gardena residents are encouraged to utilize Los Angeles County's S.A.F.E. Collection Centers, such as the nearby Hyperion facility, or attend periodic weekend Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) round-up events hosted locally to dispose of these dangerous materials responsibly.
Drop-off Facilities
S.A.F.E. Collection Center (Hyperion)
7660 W. Imperial Hwy, Gate B, Playa Del Rey, CA
Materials Accepted
Amerigas Gardena (Propane Tanks Only)
16800 S. Main St, Gardena, CA 90248
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the trash collection company in Gardena recently change?
Yes. Effective May 1, 2026, Waste Management (WM) officially took over residential and commercial waste hauling services from Waste Resources. However, collection days, rates, and cart colors remain the same for residents.
How do I dispose of food scraps in Gardena?
Under SB 1383, all food scraps must go into your green organics cart. According to WM guidelines for Gardena, residents should place food waste (including meat, dairy, and leftovers) into a clear plastic bag before putting it in the green container alongside loose yard waste.
How many free bulky item pickups do Gardena residents receive?
Residents get up to four (4) free bulky item or e-waste pickups per calendar year. Each pickup is limited to three (3) cubic yards of material. You must call WM at (310) 366-7600 by 2:30 p.m. the day before your regular service day to schedule it.
Does WM pick up trash on holidays in Gardena?
WM observes six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If the holiday falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day for the rest of that week. Weekend holidays do not cause a delay.