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
!Contamination Tips
No 'Compostable' Plastics in the Green Cart
Even if a plastic bag is marketed as 'certified compostable' or 'biodegradable,' it is strictly banned from the green organics cart in La Mesa because it cannot break down in EDCO's anaerobic digester. Always use a plain paper bag instead.
Properly Recycle Shredded Paper
While most clean paper should be placed loosely into the blue recycling cart, shredded paper is the exception. To prevent it from blowing away and creating litter, you must seal shredded paper inside a paper bag before tossing it into the blue cart.
Styrofoam Blocks vs. Packing Peanuts
Solid Styrofoam (polystyrene) packaging blocks and clean food containers can actually be recycled in your blue EDCO cart. However, loose Styrofoam packing peanuts are not accepted and must go into the gray trash cart.
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.
About La Mesa Waste Management
Exceeding State Diversion Mandates
The City of La Mesa has proudly surpassed California’s mandated 50 percent waste diversion rate, meaning more than half of the city’s refuse is diverted from local landfills through recycling, composting, and proper hazardous waste management. This milestone reflects a strong partnership between La Mesa residents, the city government, and its exclusive franchise hauler, EDCO. The city’s Climate Action Plan pushes this goal even further, aiming for a 75 percent diversion rate to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.
Advanced Anaerobic Digestion for Organic Waste
To comply with Senate Bill 1383, La Mesa residents utilize a commingled organics recycling program. Yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper are all collected in the green organics cart. EDCO transports these materials to a state-of-the-art Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility, where microorganisms break down the organics in an oxygen-free environment. This natural process converts the city's food and yard waste into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) that fuels collection trucks, as well as nutrient-rich bio-fertilizer for agricultural use.
Free Community Compost and Mulch Programs
As a direct benefit of the city's organic recycling efforts, La Mesa residents and businesses have access to free, self-serve compost and mulch. During the dry months (typically May through October), a free compost pile is replenished at the Public Works Operations Yard on Commercial Street. Residents just need to bring their own shovels and sturdy containers. Similarly, free self-serve mulch is available year-round at the EDCO/Ramona Disposal site, helping local gardeners conserve water and inhibit weed growth.
Accessible Household Hazardous Waste Services
Proper disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronic waste is made incredibly accessible in La Mesa. While standard drop-off events are held multiple times a year, the city also accommodates vulnerable populations. Residents with physical limitations who cannot drive to drop-off centers are eligible for the City of La Mesa’s home pickup program for HHW and e-waste, completely free of charge. Others can utilize the EDCO Station on Commercial Street during specific operating hours to safely drop off computers, TVs, cooking oil, and batteries.
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.