Black Bin (Trash)
All refuse must be placed completely inside the container with the lid closed. Do not overload or leave items beside the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Compostable plant-based plastics
- ✓Palm fronds, cacti, and yucca leaves
- ✓Bathroom waste and diapers
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Chip bags and snack wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loose in the cart. All containers must be completely empty of food and liquids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Clean pizza boxes
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Beverage jugs and plastic bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
- ✕Garden hoses and tanglers
Yard Waste Bin
Do not include any bio-plastics, pet waste, or palm fronds. Materials must be completely free of petroleum-based plastics.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Branches, hedge trimmings, and untreated wood
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread, veggies)
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓100% fiber-based food-soiled paper (no wax/plastic liners)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Request required)
Placement
Ensure items are placed securely at the curb away from vehicles and mailboxes on your confirmed, scheduled pickup date.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Large bundles of green waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition waste (asphalt, concrete, drywall)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, batteries, paint)
- ✕ Electronic waste (unless specifically scheduled)
Single-family residential customers typically receive standard bulky item allocations; however, limits and potential fees for excessive loads apply. Commercial units require customized quotes.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holidays create a one-day delay in collection service for the remainder of the week if the holiday falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
All bins, including organics and recycling, follow the exact same holiday delay schedule.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, waste collection services will not be delayed.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Desert Plants Belong in the Trash
Unlike standard grass clippings, fibrous desert plants like cacti, succulents, yucca leaves, and palm fronds cannot be easily broken down into compost. Athens requires these to be placed in the black trash cart, not the green bin.
Ditch the Bio-Plastics
Even if a cup or utensil is labeled '100% compostable' or 'plant-based plastic,' it goes in the black trash cart. The local commercial composting facilities cannot break down these materials fast enough to process them with regular food waste.
Keep Pizza Boxes Clean or Tear Them
If a pizza box is heavily saturated with grease or cheese, it should be placed in the green organics cart as food-soiled paper. Only clean, unsoiled cardboard boxes can be placed in the blue recycling cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryAthens Services collects holiday trees from the day after Christmas through the second week of January on your normal pickup day. Trees with flocking, ornaments, or fire retardants cannot be composted and are not accepted.
Summer
July - SeptemberDuring peak San Gabriel Valley heatwaves, food scraps in your green organics cart can quickly generate odors. Freeze meat and dairy scraps in a reusable container indoors and wait until collection morning to dump them into your green cart.
Fall
August - OctoberThe City of Glendora frequently hosts Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Residential Drop-Off Days (often at the Citrus College Stadium lot) in late summer or fall. Proof of Glendora residency is required to safely dispose of paint, oil, and batteries.
About Glendora Waste Management
Navigating Glendora's Automated Three-Cart System
To meet California's stringent SB 1383 requirements for waste diversion, the City of Glendora officially transitioned to an automated cart-based collection system in 2022. Handled exclusively by Athens Services, residents are now provided with standardized containers: a black cart for landfill refuse, a blue cart for recyclables, and a green cart dedicated to organics and yard trimmings. This modernization effort aims to heavily reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by keeping organic matter out of standard landfills.
The Truth About 'Compostable' Plastics in Athens' System
One of the most confusing aspects of the organics recycling mandate is how to handle bio-plastics. While many utensils and cups are marketed as 'plant-based' or 'compostable,' Athens Services strictly prohibits these materials in the green organics cart. In Glendora, all 'compostable' plastics, juice pouches, and bio-plastic liners must be thrown into the black landfill cart. The green cart is reserved strictly for 100% fiber-based paper and actual food or yard scraps.
Handling Hard-to-Process Yard Waste
Southern California landscaping often includes desert and tropical plants that standard composting facilities cannot process efficiently. If you have palm fronds, cacti, succulents, or yucca leaves, do not place them in your green yard waste cart. Because of their dense, fibrous nature, Athens requires Glendora residents to place these specific plant types directly into the black trash cart.
Senior Citizen Discount Program
The City of Glendora offers financial assistance to eligible elderly residents managing their utility bills. Ratepayers aged 62 or older who meet the HUD Very Low-Income limits and occupy the residence as their primary home can apply for a 10% discount on their monthly residential solid waste service rates. Applications are processed through the City of Glendora Public Works Department.
Drop-off Facilities
Los Angeles County Permanent S.A.F.E. Centers
Various locations across LA County (e.g., Nicole Bernson S.A.F.E. Center)
Materials Accepted
Citrus College Stadium Parking Lot (Periodic HHW Events)
Stadium Way and Barranca Ave, Glendora, CA 91741
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Glendora allow 'compostable plastics' in the green organics cart?
No. Athens Services strictly requires that all 'compostable' or 'plant-based' plastics (like bio-plastic cups, utensils, and juice pouches) be placed in the black landfill cart. The green cart is only for actual food scraps, yard waste, and 100% fiber-based paper.
How do I dispose of palm fronds and cacti in Glendora?
Fibrous desert plants like palm fronds, yucca leaves, cacti, and succulents cannot be processed by Athens' commercial composting facilities. You must place these specific types of yard waste into your black trash cart, not the green organics cart.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Glendora?
Residents can schedule a bulky item pickup for furniture and appliances by submitting an online request through the Athens Services portal or by calling (888) 336-6100. Do not place items on the curb until Athens confirms your pickup date.
Does the City of Glendora offer a senior discount for trash service?
Yes. Glendora residents aged 62 or older who meet HUD Very Low-Income limits and are the primary account holder can apply for a 10% discount on their Athens Services bill. Applications are managed through the Glendora Public Works Department.