Black Cart Bin (Trash)
All regular garbage must be bagged loosely inside the black cart. Carts must be placed at the curb after 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup and removed by 8:00 p.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Cactus and succulents
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Treated wood and hoses
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables; all items must be completely clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and clean pizza boxes
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (#1 - #7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Bubble wrap
- ✕Soiled paper products
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard trimmings loosely in the green cart. Food waste must be placed inside a sealed plastic bag before being added to the green cart to comply with local SB 1383 guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves, small branches, and twigs
- ✓Untreated wood
- ✓Bagged food scraps (meat, dairy, bread, vegetables)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 4 free collections per year included with residential service.
Placement
Place bulky items at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your confirmed collection day. Do not block sidewalks or neighborhood traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and tables
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Excess green waste bundles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Paints and used motor oil
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, and concrete
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Auto parts and tires
La Crescenta-Montrose homes receive four free bulky item pickups annually. Additional items or pickups beyond this limit will be subject to a fee according to the current Burrtec rate sheet.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after a weekday holiday, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling collections run on the same delayed schedule as regular trash.
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekend, there are no disruptions and your regular pickup schedule remains unchanged.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Cactus Out of the Green Cart
Unlike regular grass and leaves, cactus plants disrupt the composting process due to their dense water retention and spikes. Always place dead cactus and succulents directly into your black trash cart.
Reuse Bread and Produce Bags
You do not need to purchase expensive compostable bags for your food waste. Burrtec encourages residents to repurpose everyday plastic packaging, like old bread bags or grocery produce bags, to tie off food scraps before tossing them in the green bin.
E-Waste is a Fire Hazard
Never place batteries, old cell phones, or electronics in your curbside carts. These items can spark dangerous fires inside the collection trucks. Schedule a special e-waste pickup with Burrtec or drop them off at a designated Household Hazardous Waste event.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MayPrepare your foothill gardens for summer by taking advantage of Burrtec's annual Compost and Mulch Giveaway events, provided as a benefit to La Crescenta-Montrose residents under the franchise agreement.
Summer
June - AugustSummer heat accelerates food waste decomposition and attracts wildlife. Always ensure your food waste bags are tightly sealed, and consider freezing highly aromatic scraps until collection morning to deter bears and pests.
Fall
September - NovemberDuring peak wildfire season, clear dry brush and pine needles from your property. You can utilize your four free annual excess green waste collections to dispose of large amounts of flammable yard debris.
Winter
December - FebruaryHoliday trees are collected curbside from December 26th through mid-January. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half, and all lights, tinsel, and plastic stands must be completely removed.
About La Crescenta-Montrose Waste Management
Unincorporated LA County Franchise System
Because La Crescenta-Montrose is an unincorporated community, its residential waste collection is managed under the Los Angeles County Residential Franchise System [1.2.2]. Under this exclusive agreement, Burrtec Waste Industries provides standardized weekly trash collection, high-diversion recycling, and organics services specifically tailored to the community's environmental goals.
The Unique Bagged Food Waste Requirement
Unlike most California cities that strictly forbid plastic in the green cart, the Burrtec program for La Crescenta-Montrose requires residents to secure their food waste inside a tied plastic bag before placing it in the organics barrel. This unique procedure contains odors, prevents messes in the carts, and keeps local foothill wildlife from being attracted to the organic waste.
Bear-Resistant Carts for Foothill Properties
Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, neighborhoods in La Crescenta-Montrose often experience visits from foraging bears and other wildlife. To combat scattered trash and protect local fauna, Burrtec offers specialized Bear-Resistant Refuse Carts for residential properties upon request.
Quarterly Bulky Item and Excess Waste Collection
The local franchise agreement provides significant benefits for home cleanouts. Residents receive up to four free on-call collections per year for bulky items, excess trash, or excess green waste that does not fit into the standard carts. To utilize this service, you must call Burrtec at least 24 hours prior to your normal collection day.
Drop-off Facilities
Scholl Canyon Landfill
7721 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (Public access via 3001 Scholl Canyon Rd, Glendale)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does La Crescenta-Montrose require food waste to be bagged?
Yes. Unlike most California jurisdictions, Burrtec requires residents in this area to seal their food scraps (like meat, dairy, and veggies) inside a plastic bag before placing them into the green organics barrel to reduce odors and deter wildlife.
How do I deal with bears getting into my trash?
Burrtec offers special Bear-Resistant Refuse Carts for residents living near the foothills. Contact their customer service to swap your standard black cart for a bear-resistant model to keep wildlife safe and your property clean.
Can I get rid of an old mattress for free?
Yes, single-family homes under the LA County franchise agreement get up to four free bulky item collections per year. You must call Burrtec at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the pickup for your normal trash day.
Where should I throw away cactus plants?
Cactus and succulents should never go in the green yard waste cart. They retain water and have spikes that disrupt the regional composting process, so they must be thrown directly into your black trash cart.