Black Bin (Trash)
All waste disposed of in the black toter should be securely bagged before being placed inside. Ensure the lid can close completely. Hot ashes or coals are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Composite items made of multiple materials
- ✓Juice and soy milk boxes with foil liners
- ✓Styrofoam meat trays and packaging
- ✓Disposable diapers
- ✓Pet waste and bagged kitty litter
- ✓Ceramics and Pyrex glass
- ✓Wet or soiled paper
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Make sure all recyclables are empty, clean, and dry (less than a teaspoon of liquid). Do not bag your recyclables; place them loosely in the blue bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum foil and metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Clean cardboard and uncoated paper
- ✓Hard plastic containers, tubs, and jugs
- ✓Envelopes and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Green waste
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Items labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags for organic waste. Place food scraps and green yard trimmings directly into the green or brown toter to be processed at the composting facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, pits, and shells
- ✓Coffee grounds
- ✓Meat, bones, and seafood
- ✓Dairy products (no liquids)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, paper cups)
- ✓Leaves and plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week OR up to four items once a month
Placement
You must contact Allied Waste (Republic Services) at 760-337-2418 to schedule your bulky item pickup. Place approved items at the curb by 6:00 AM on the scheduled day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ White goods and large appliances
- ✓ Large plastic or wood items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, oil, paint)
- ✕ Car batteries
- ✕ Hot ashes
This service is provided at no extra cost to contracted residential customers. Exceeding the frequency limits may incur a hauling fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a recognized holiday falls on or before your Wednesday collection day, service will be delayed by one day, pushing pickup to Thursday. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the regular Wednesday schedule is unaffected.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and yard waste collections observe the exact same holiday delays as regular landfill trash and recycling.
Republic Services' customer support and local administrative offices may also be closed on these observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the 'Biodegradable' Plastics
Products labeled 'biodegradable' or 'compostable' (like certain plastic cups or utensils) do not break down efficiently in Imperial's commercial composting facilities. They should always be placed in the black trash cart, never in the green or blue bins.
The Pizza Box Split
Greasy pizza boxes can ruin an entire batch of clean paper recycling. Tear the box in half: toss the greasy bottom portion into your green organics bin for composting, and place the clean top half in the blue recycling bin.
Tame the Tanglers
Items that can stretch or tangle—such as garden hoses, rubber bands, clothing, and plastic grocery bags—jam the gears at the local sorting facility. If you can push your finger through the plastic, it is too soft for the blue bin. Return clean plastic bags to participating supermarkets.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryPrepare for potential collection schedule shifts around Christmas and New Year's Day. When disposing of a natural Christmas tree, it must be completely stripped of all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands, and cut into manageable pieces to fit inside your green organics cart.
Summer
June - SeptemberDue to the extreme heat in the Imperial Valley, it is highly recommended to store your food scraps in a sealed container or bag in the freezer until Tuesday night. Tossing frozen food waste into your green cart helps minimize odors and prevents pests.
About Imperial Waste Management
Streamlined Wednesday Collection Schedule
In the City of Imperial, residential waste management is highly consolidated. All core curbside services—including the black landfill trash cart, the blue recycling toter, and the green organics container—are typically serviced on Wednesday mornings. Residents must ensure their carts are placed at the curb by 6:00 AM to guarantee collection by Allied Waste (Republic Services).
SB 1383 Compliance and Free Kitchen Pails
To help residents comply with California's aggressive SB 1383 short-lived climate pollutant mandate, the City of Imperial provides each household with a free 2-gallon countertop food scrap pail. These pails feature a snap-tight lid and a locking seal to minimize odors. Residents can pick up their complimentary pail at the Community Development Department located on South Imperial Avenue.
Generous Curbside Bulky Item Allowance
Unlike many municipalities that limit large item pickups to a few times a year, Imperial's franchise agreement offers remarkable flexibility. Residents can call to schedule the collection of one bulky item per week at no extra charge. If a larger cleanout is required, households can alternatively schedule a multi-item pickup of up to four bulky items once a month.
Free Landfill Access for Imperial Residents
Beyond standard curbside pickup, contracted City of Imperial residents benefit from complimentary waste drop-off at the Republic Services Imperial Landfill on Robinson Road. By presenting a valid ID and a matching city water bill, locals are permitted to dispose of excess trash or large loads up to six times per calendar year, bypassing standard tonnage fees.
Drop-off Facilities
Republic Services Imperial Landfill
104 E. Robinson Road, Imperial, CA 92231
Materials Accepted
Imperial Valley Resource Management Agency (IVRMA) HHW Facility
Various regional collection events (Check ivrma.org for schedule)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my regular trash pickup day in Imperial?
All residential collections—including the black trash, blue recycling, and green organics carts—are normally serviced on Wednesday mornings. Place your carts at the curb by 6:00 AM to ensure pickup.
How do I get my free kitchen food scrap pail?
The City of Imperial provides each household with one free 2-gallon countertop food scrap pail to assist with SB 1383 organics recycling. You can pick it up at the Community Development Department located at 400 S. Imperial Avenue.
What should I do with my old furniture or a broken appliance?
Imperial residents receive flexible bulky item pickups through Republic Services. You can schedule one large item for pickup every week, or group up to four items for a single monthly pickup at no extra charge. Call 760-337-2418 to arrange a collection.
Can I take large loads of trash directly to the landfill for free?
Yes. Contracted city residents can dispose of waste free of charge up to 6 times a year at the Imperial Landfill (104 E. Robinson Rd). You must present a valid ID and a matching city water bill upon arrival.