Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Irvine
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on the same day as trash in the green organics cart)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential collection services are contracted through Waste Management (WM) and billed directly to residents on a quarterly basis. Irvine single-family households receive up to four free bulky item pickups per calendar year.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen discounts are available for qualifying residents aged 65 and older who own or lease their home, and low-volume rate options are also offered.
Black Bin (Trash)
All landfill-bound waste should be bagged to prevent litter. Carts must not be overfilled; the lid must close tightly, and the cart should weigh no more than 100 pounds to prevent damage to the collection trucks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam containers and packaging)
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Garden hoses and broken ceramics
- ✓Palm fronds and cactus trimmings
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the blue cart. Break down all cardboard boxes to conserve space in your cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard and cereal boxes
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and rigid containers (CRV #1-#7)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film wrap
- ✕Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✕Electronic waste and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Textiles or clothing
Yard Waste Bin
Keep organic waste loose in the green cart, or collect it in standard paper bags. Do NOT place plastic bags or 'compostable/biodegradable' plastics in this cart, as they disrupt the commercial composting process.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Kitchen food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, vegetables, bread)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, coffee filters, paper towels)
- ✓Small branches and prunings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free pickups per calendar year (Four pickups for Great Park Neighborhoods)
Placement
Place approved bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day once your appointment is confirmed. Placing items out without an appointment is considered illegal dumping.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers)
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, sandbags, and rocks
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
Placing more than 4 items out for collection will count as an additional bulky item pickup. Once your free yearly allotment is exhausted, additional pickups can be scheduled for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday-Friday), collection services scheduled on or after that holiday will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. For example, a Thursday pickup will move to Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
Your blue recycling and green organics carts follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard trash collection.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, or if a holiday is not listed above (such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Veterans Day), there are no delays and service will occur on your normally scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Rainy Season
November - MarchThe Irvine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at Oak Canyon automatically closes during rainy weather. Always check the forecast or call ahead before loading your vehicle with hazardous materials.
Winter
Late December - JanuaryWaste Management collects clean, un-flocked Christmas trees at the curb following the holidays. Trees must have all lights, tinsel, and stands removed. If a tree is exceptionally large, it should be cut into smaller sections.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Waste Management (WM) Services in Irvine
In the master-planned community of Irvine, residential waste collection is expertly handled by Waste Management (WM). The city utilizes a distinct three-cart system designed to streamline sustainability. Residents are assigned a blue-lidded cart for standard garbage, a gray cart for loose recyclables, and a green cart for organics. To guarantee successful collection, you must have your bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Always place the carts with the wheels touching the curb and handles facing your property, leaving a three-foot gap between each container to accommodate the automated lifting arms of the WM trucks.
Organics and Food Waste Compliance
Irvine strongly enforces California's SB 1383 regulations to reduce landfill methane emissions. Your green organics cart is no longer exclusively for yard trimmings. Every household is required to toss food scraps—including fruit peels, coffee grounds, and meat bones—directly into the green bin alongside grass clippings and leaves. Avoid using plastic bags for your organic waste, as it contaminates the composting process. By making this simple adjustment in your kitchen, you play a vital role in helping Irvine reach its ambitious climate and zero-waste goals.
Scheduling Your Free Bulky Item Pickups
When it's time for a major spring cleaning, Irvine residents benefit from an exceptionally generous bulky item program. Most households are entitled to two complimentary bulk pickups per calendar year, while residents in the Great Park Neighborhoods receive up to four. Each appointment allows you to dispose of up to four large items, such as couches and mattresses, or 20 tightly tied bags weighing less than 50 pounds each. Uniquely, electronic waste like televisions and computer monitors is also accepted. You must call WM at (949) 642-1191 at least 48 hours in advance to reserve your spot.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Center Access
Paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, and old lithium batteries pose severe environmental risks and should never be tossed into your curbside bins. Fortunately, the Irvine Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center provides a safe, free alternative. Located at 6411 Oak Canyon, the drive-through facility is open to the public from Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You do not need to exit your vehicle; simply pop your trunk, and the staff will safely unload your hazardous materials. Just note that the center closes during severe rainy weather and major holidays.
Observed Holidays and Service Disruptions
WM observes six major holidays annually: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these holidays lands on a weekday, all collection routes scheduled for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by precisely one day. For example, a Monday holiday means Monday routes are collected on Tuesday, and Friday routes wrap up on Saturday. If the holiday falls on a weekend, your standard collection routine will not change. Staying aware of this schedule ensures your carts aren't left out prematurely.
Drop-off Facilities
Irvine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618
Materials Accepted
Frank R. Bowerman Landfill
11002 Bee Canyon Access Rd, Irvine, CA 92602
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use compostable plastic bags for my food scraps in Irvine?
No. Waste Management requests that you do not place plastic bags, including those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable', inside the green organics cart. You should keep your organic waste loose, line your kitchen pail with newspaper, or use a standard brown paper bag.
What holidays actually delay trash pickup in Irvine?
Waste Management only delays collection by one day for six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays during the week, it will be delayed. All other holidays do not affect the schedule.
How do I get rid of an old couch or TV in Irvine?
Irvine residents receive two free bulky item pickups per year (four if you live in the Great Park Neighborhoods), with a limit of 4 items per appointment. E-waste like TVs is accepted. You must schedule the pickup in advance by calling Waste Management at 949-642-1191 or requesting it through your online WM account.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste like old paint and batteries?
You can drop off household hazardous waste for free at the Irvine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center located at 6411 Oak Canyon. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but automatically closes during rainy weather and on major holidays.