Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Imperial Beach
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Weekly on regular collection day
Yard Waste
Weekly on regular collection day
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Waste and recycling services are contracted exclusively through EDCO Disposal. Residential customers also receive two free bulky item pickups per calendar year upon request.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
EDCO offers a 20% Senior Discount on basic service for qualifying head-of-household residents aged 62 or older with annual household income under $30,000.
Gray Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged securely before placement in the gray cart. Do not place any hazardous waste, electronics, or recyclable materials in this bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household waste
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Broken ceramics
- ✓Treated wood (small amounts)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all commingled recyclables loosely in the blue cart. Never put recyclables inside plastic garbage bags, as this causes severe issues at the EDCO sorting facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Cardboard and broken-down boxes
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (Types 1-7)
- ✓Newspaper and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Single-use plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✕Food-soiled paper and plates
- ✕Window glass or mirrors
Yard Waste Bin
Use the green cart for all organics. No plastic bags, biodegradable bags, or dirt/rocks are allowed. Kitchen food scraps should go directly into the green cart alongside yard debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Branches and prunings
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Meat, dairy, and bones
- ✓Food-soiled paper (e.g., pizza boxes)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two FREE curbside bulky item pickups per year
Placement
On your scheduled collection day, place the accepted large items at the curb or the end of your driveway by 6:00 a.m. Ensure they are clear of vehicles and your regular carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators and large appliances
- ✓ Televisions and e-waste
- ✓ Water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, rock, or concrete
- ✕ Liquid paint
If you need more than your two allotted free pickups annually, or if you are a commercial property with different limits, additional bulk collections can be arranged for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday). If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no service delay.
Yard Waste Exception
Your green organics cart and blue recycling cart will follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your gray trash cart.
Minor holidays like Veterans Day, Presidents' Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day do NOT cause any delays in EDCO waste removal services. Place your bins out on your normal scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter/Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryEDCO provides special curbside Christmas tree recycling following the holidays. Ensure that all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and tree stands are completely removed before placing your natural tree out on your collection day.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning is a great time to clear out the garage, but remember that old paint, pesticides, and automotive fluids are illegal to throw in your trash. Take these to the South Bay HHW facility in nearby Chula Vista.
Summer
July to SeptemberHigh coastal temperatures can cause your green organics cart to smell. To combat odors and pests, store your food scraps in a container in your freezer during the week and dump them into the green bin on the morning of pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Sanitation Guidelines for Imperial Beach
Coastal living in Imperial Beach requires a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and clean streets. The City of Imperial Beach maintains an exclusive franchise agreement with EDCO to manage all residential solid waste and recycling collection. Because preserving our oceanfront environment is a major priority, every household must adhere to the structured three-cart system. This setup is specifically designed to maximize recycling rates, reduce landfill dependence, and ensure the community complies with California’s statewide waste diversion goals.
Best Practices for Cart Placement
To guarantee smooth service from EDCO’s automated collection trucks, proper bin positioning is essential. Residents should roll their carts out to the curb or designated alleyway by 6:00 a.m. on their specific collection morning. Ensure that the wheels rest against the curb and the lid hinges face your property. You must leave at least a two-foot gap between the recycling, organics, and trash containers so the mechanical arm can safely lift them. Furthermore, local rules ask that you bring your empty bins back onto your property by sunset on collection day to keep neighborhood sidewalks clear.
Sorting Your Debris Correctly
Separating your waste is more important than ever. The green cart is designated exclusively for organic materials, meaning your lawn trimmings and kitchen food scraps should go directly into this bin without plastic bags. The blue recycling cart handles standard recyclables like cardboard, glass jars, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. All non-recyclable household garbage, such as foam packaging, broken ceramics, and pet waste, must be placed inside the grey or black landfill cart. Heavily contaminated bins may be rejected by the driver.
Handling Bulky Items and E-Waste
Disposing of oversized furniture or broken electronics shouldn't involve abandoning them in alleyways. EDCO offers convenient curbside bulky item pickups for Imperial Beach households. If you have an old mattress, a broken appliance, or bulky e-waste like televisions, you can contact EDCO directly to schedule a special collection. Always arrange this pickup ahead of your standard trash day, as separate specialized trucks are dispatched to handle these large loads.
Recognized Holidays and Schedule Shifts
Throughout the year, EDCO alters its collection routes for major national holidays. These include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your standard collection day falls on or after one of these dates during the workweek, your pickup will be delayed by exactly one day. For instance, Thursday customers will be serviced on Friday, and Friday routes will slide to Saturday. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the weekday schedule remains unaffected.
Drop-off Facilities
South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company handles trash pickup in Imperial Beach?
EDCO is the exclusive franchise hauler contracted by the City of Imperial Beach to provide all residential solid waste and recycling services.
How do I request a bulky item pickup?
Residents can schedule a bulky item collection for furniture and appliances by calling EDCO customer service directly or submitting a request through the EDCO website or mobile app.
Can I put my food scraps in the yard waste cart?
Yes. Following state organic waste mandates, Imperial Beach residents must place all kitchen food scraps and yard trimmings together inside the green organics cart.