Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for La Mesa
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services in La Mesa are provided directly by EDCO Disposal under an exclusive city franchise agreement.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
EDCO provides a Senior Discount and a Silver Bag Program for qualifying residents aged 62 and older.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Place your 64-gallon gray cart out by 6:00 a.m. on your service day. Keep a minimum of 2 feet of distance between carts and 3 feet from parked cars, mailboxes, and trees.
Accepted Items
- ✓Broken glass, ceramics, and mirrors
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Chip and snack bags
- ✓Plastic grocery bags
- ✓Rubber or garden hoses
- ✓Vacuum bags
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables; keep all items loose in the blue cart. Ensure all beverage and food containers are completely empty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (bottles, jugs, and tubs)
- ✓Clean paper, newspaper, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard and cereal boxes
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean Styrofoam packaging blocks (no peanuts)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✕Electronic waste and batteries
- ✕Clothing and shoes
Yard Waste Bin
Never use plastic bags of any kind (including certified compostable or biodegradable bags) as they contaminate the Anaerobic Digester. Wrap food scraps in newspaper or use an uncoated paper bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, brush, weeds, and leaves
- ✓Palm fronds and small branches
- ✓Cooked and raw meat, poultry, and seafood (including bones)
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and coffee grounds
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, tea bags)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice a year free drop-off (coupons provided), or upon request for a fee
Placement
For curbside service, you must call EDCO at (619) 287-7555 to schedule and pay for your bulky item pickup before placing items at the curb.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Water heaters and large appliances
- ✓ General large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Wet garbage
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Explosives
- ✕ Commercial or business waste
Curbside pickups incur a fee. However, residents can use their bi-annual coupons to drop off bulky items for free at the EDCO Station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, EDCO waste removal services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
This one-day delay applies to all collection carts, including trash, recycling, and organics.
Holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday do not delay waste removal services for the regular weekday schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
May to OctoberTake advantage of the free self-serve community compost pile located at the Public Works Operations Yard (8152 Commercial Street) available from dawn until dusk during these dry months.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryEDCO collects Christmas trees placed in or next to your green organics cart. Trees must be completely free of ornaments, lights, stands, and tinsel. Flocked trees cannot be composted and must be placed in the trash.
Local Tips & Community Info
EDCO Waste Services for La Mesa Residents
La Mesa households rely on EDCO Disposal to manage their weekly garbage, recycling, and organic waste. Operating under a city-approved franchise agreement, EDCO supplies single-family homes with three distinct, color-coordinated receptacles designed for automated street collection. This dedicated three-cart system is a cornerstone of the city's commitment to sustainability and localized climate action plans, helping divert reusable materials away from regional landfills. If you have recently moved to the 'Jewel of the Hills' and need to establish a new trash account, or if you need to request a replacement for a cracked barrel, you must contact EDCO's customer service team directly via their regional dispatch line.
Morning Container Placement and Spacing
To facilitate a seamless neighborhood pickup route, residents need to follow specific spatial rules when setting out their bins. Your carts should be on the street by 6:00 a.m. on your assigned collection day, as EDCO trucks begin their residential routes early. Make sure the wheels are firmly pressed against the street curb, with the lid hinges pointing toward your home. Crucially, the automated mechanical arms on the collection vehicles require at least two feet of clearance on all sides of each cart. Keep them distanced from parked cars, low-hanging branches, and mailboxes, and remember to roll the empty containers back to a concealed area on your property by nightfall.
Navigating the Green Organics Mandate
In accordance with California’s state-wide SB 1383 regulations, La Mesa strictly enforces the separation of organic matter from standard refuse. Your green container is meant for a mix of yard trimmings (like weeds, grass, and branches) and everyday kitchen food scraps. This includes coffee grounds, eggshells, meat bones, and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes. It is absolutely vital that you do not place traditional plastic bags into this green bin, as they will ruin the resulting compost. If you wish to contain your kitchen scraps before tossing them outside, use paper bags, newspaper wrapping, or certified BPI compostable bags.
Blue Bin Recycling Best Practices
Recycling in La Mesa is straightforward as long as you keep your materials clean, dry, and loose. The blue cart accepts an array of everyday items, including flattened corrugated cardboard, tin cans, glass bottles, and rigid plastics. One major contaminant that frequently ruins recycling batches is tangled plastic film. Grocery bags, shrink wrap, and plastic shipping mailers must never be tossed into the blue bin. If you have excess plastic film, drop it off at designated retail recycling bins around the city, or throw it into the gray trash cart.
Scheduling E-Waste and Bulky Item Removals
You do not need to haul your broken refrigerators or old couches to the dump yourself. EDCO offers residential customers in La Mesa the ability to schedule bulky item pickups for large, heavy household objects that exceed the capacity of a standard bin. This service also covers electronic waste like obsolete laptops and CRT televisions, ensuring toxic metals are handled safely. Pickups must be coordinated ahead of time through the EDCO website or by phone; placing heavy junk on the curb without a scheduled appointment is considered an illegal dumping violation.
Impact of Holidays on Collection Routes
When a major federal holiday rolls around, your weekly trash schedule might shift. EDCO recognizes six primary holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these holidays falls on a standard weekday, all subsequent neighborhood collections for that week will be delayed by 24 hours. For instance, a Tuesday pickup will slide to Wednesday. Furthermore, during the weeks following December 25th, the city offers dedicated curbside Christmas tree recycling—just ensure your tree is completely bare of tinsel, stands, and ornaments.
Drop-off Facilities
EDCO Station - Public Disposal Site & Buyback Center
8184 Commercial Street, La Mesa, CA 91942
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use compostable bags for my food waste in La Mesa?
No. EDCO strictly prohibits all types of plastic bags, including those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable,' in the green organics cart. They cannot break down in the anaerobic digester. You should use a paper bag or wrap your scraps in newspaper instead.
Are palm fronds accepted in my green yard waste cart?
Yes. Unlike many other municipalities, La Mesa and EDCO accept palm fronds in the green organics container along with other standard yard trimmings and food waste.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
EDCO mails La Mesa residents a coupon twice a year (January and July) that allows for free bulky item disposal at the EDCO Station. Alternatively, you can call EDCO to schedule a curbside pickup for a small fee.
What should I do with my old batteries and electronics?
Do not throw batteries or electronics in your curbside carts. You can drop them off for free at the EDCO Station on Commercial Street. The city also hosts multiple free Household Hazardous Waste collection events throughout the year.