Black or Brown Bin (Trash)
Place cart facing the street with hinges pointing toward your home by 7:00 AM. Carts require at least 1 foot of clearance on all sides.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable items must be clean, dry, and placed loosely in the blue cart. Never put your recyclables inside plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Mix food waste with yard trimmings in the green organics cart to comply with state mandates. Keep lids completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Coffee grounds
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
4 times per year
Placement
Items must be collected by a special truck. Allow 48 hours advance notice when calling Republic Services to schedule.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Bagged trash up to 40 lbs
- ✓ Bundled palm fronds (max 4 ft & 40 lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions
- ✕ Computers and monitors
- ✕ Pallets
- ✕ Construction and demolition items
Collections exceeding the annual limit of 4 free pickups may be subject to additional fees through the hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and recycling collections are delayed on the exact same schedule as regular trash during holiday weeks.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, your regular collection schedule remains unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Beach Clean, Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never put plastic grocery bags in your blue recycling bin. They get tangled in the specialized sorting machines and severely disrupt the recycling process.
Food Scraps Belong in the Green Cart
Thanks to California's SB 1383, all food waste must be composted. Do not throw your leftover food in the regular trash bin; instead, drop it in your yard waste cart.
Flatten Your Cardboard Boxes
To save cart capacity and prevent items from getting wedged during the automated pickup, always break down and flatten your cardboard boxes.
Seasonal Information
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December to JanuaryChristmas tree collection typically runs for a few weeks after the holidays. Trees must be completely bare, free of all ornaments or stands, and cut in half if they exceed 6 feet in height.
Summer Beach Season
May to SeptemberDuring the heavily trafficked summer months in Surf City, ensure your carts are placed at least 6 feet away from parked cars, as street parking becomes heavily impacted.
About Huntington Beach Waste Management
Complete Guide to Huntington Beach Trash & Recycling Services
Maintaining the pristine coastline of Surf City USA requires a highly efficient waste management system. The City of Huntington Beach partners with Republic Services to provide weekly automated trash, recycling, and organics collection for single-family homes and multi-family units. Ensuring your carts are placed curb-facing by 7:00 AM on your designated collection day helps keep our neighborhoods and iconic beaches clean.
Mandatory Organics Recycling and SB 1383 Compliance
California's SB 1383 law mandates that all Huntington Beach residents divert organic waste from local landfills. Your green cart is no longer just for yard trimmings; you must now mix in your food scraps, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper. By separating organics properly, Huntington Beach is able to generate renewable resources rather than harmful greenhouse gases.
Scheduling Your Bulky Item Pickups
Are you clearing out old furniture or broken appliances? Huntington Beach residents with weekly cart service are eligible for up to four free bulky item collections per calendar year through Republic Services. You can place up to 10 eligible items at the curb per scheduled pickup. Be sure to call and schedule your collection at least 48 hours in advance of your regular trash day.
Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Televisions, old cans of paint, batteries, and cleaning chemicals should never go into your residential carts. Fortunately, Huntington Beach hosts the Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center right on Nichols Lane. It is entirely free for local residents to drop off these dangerous materials safely from Tuesday through Saturday.
Free Compost Program at the City Yard
One of the unique perks for Huntington Beach locals is the free compost program. Residents can visit the City Yard on Gothard Street during weekdays to pick up nutrient-rich compost for their home gardens. The program operates on a self-serve basis, so remember to bring your own shovel and heavy-duty containers to load and haul your soil amendment.
Drop-off Facilities
Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
17121 Nichols Lane, Gate 6, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Materials Accepted
Huntington Beach City Yard Compost Station
17371 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach, CA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get free compost in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach residents can pick up free compost at the City Yard located at 17371 Gothard Street, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It is a self-serve station, so bring your own shovel and a sturdy container.
Does Huntington Beach provide bulky item pickup services?
Yes. Residents with standard weekly cart service are allowed four free bulky item collections annually, up to 10 items per pickup. You must call Republic Services at (714) 847-3581 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule the truck.
Where can I dispose of old paint and electronics locally?
You can safely drop off household hazardous waste like paint, cleaners, batteries, and e-waste at the Orange County HHW Collection Center located at Gate 6 of the Republic Services facility on Nichols Lane. The center is free for residents and open Tuesday through Saturday.
What happens if my trash isn't picked up on its regular day?
If your cart was missed, leave it at the curb and contact Republic Services within 24 hours (including Saturday morning). Missed pickups are generally collected the next business day.