Burgundy, Dark Red, or Gray Bin (Trash)
Do not overload the cart; lids must close. Keep containers out of public view no later than 12 hours after collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Palm fronds (must go in trash, not green bin) [2.1.6]
- ✓Pet waste and litter
- ✓Painted wood
- ✓Dirt and soil (small amounts)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items should be empty, clean, and dry. Place recyclables loosely in the blue cart without bagging them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper tubes [2.1.2]
- ✓Junk mail, magazines, and catalogs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓Plastic milk jugs and beverage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags [2.1.6]
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronic items
- ✕Universal waste (batteries/light bulbs)
Yard Waste Bin
Palm fronds and tree stumps are prohibited. Food waste may be bagged in clear plastic to reduce odors, as Burrtec machinery separates it later.
Accepted Items
- ✓Lawn clippings, weeds, and leaves [1.1.2]
- ✓Pruned cuttings and small branches
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper
- ✓Food waste enclosed in clear plastic produce bags
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly; up to four (4) items per week per residential household.
Placement
Set items at the curb no more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled pick-up to prevent visual nuisances and illegal dumping. Items must be out by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and mattresses [2.1.3]
- ✓ Large and small household appliances
- ✓ Rolled and bundled carpet (under 4 feet)
- ✓ Televisions, computers, and monitors
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris and dirt [2.1.6]
- ✕ Hazardous materials (oil, chemicals, paint)
- ✕ Medical sharps
- ✕ Televisions over 37 inches (requires special handling consultation)
The weekly four-item pickup service is provided completely free of charge to La Quinta residential customers.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection services will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
No exceptions. Green organic barrels follow the same one-day holiday delay as trash and recycling.
If a designated holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no interruption or delay to the standard weekday service schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Battery Taping and Baggies
Never throw batteries in your burgundy or blue bins. In La Quinta, you can actually schedule a free at-home Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) pickup for batteries. Tape the terminal ends with clear or masking tape, place them in a clear Ziploc-style bag, and call Burrtec to schedule a safe pickup.
Keep E-Waste Out of the Barrels
Old televisions, laptops, printers, and tangled cords are considered universal waste. Do not hide them in your regular burgundy or gray trash cart. Instead, utilize La Quinta's generous bulky item program and call Burrtec to schedule a free electronic waste collection directly from your curb.
Skip the Opaque Black Bags for Organics
While Burrtec uniquely allows you to use plastic bags for your kitchen food scraps, you must use clear plastic bags (like produce bags) so drivers and sorting machinery can visually identify the organic contents. Never use opaque black trash bags inside the green barrel.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryBurrtec offers an annual curbside Christmas tree recycling program from December 26th through January 7th [2.1.2]. Place your bare tree at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half, and all lights, tinsel, and metal stands must be removed.
Spring/Fall
May & DecemberThe City of La Quinta hosts free, bi-annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Shredding events in the City Hall South Parking Lot. These events are perfect for securely destroying financial documents and safely dropping off chemicals without scheduling a home pickup.
Summer
June - SeptemberDuring peak Coachella Valley heat, odors from the green organics cart can attract pests quickly. Utilize the city-approved method of sealing food scraps in a clear plastic produce bag or store scraps in your freezer until the night before your collection day.
About La Quinta Waste Management
La Quinta's Weekly Burrtec Residential Collection
The City of La Quinta holds an exclusive franchise agreement with Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services, LLC for all residential trash, recycling, and organics collection [1.1.2]. Single-family homes utilize a standardized three-barrel system to handle standard refuse, commingled recyclables, and green waste. Burrtec operates routes Monday through Friday, and residents must ensure carts are rolled to the curb by 6:00 a.m. to avoid missed pickups.
Transitioning to SB 1383 Standardized Cart Colors
To eliminate recycling confusion, La Quinta is actively rolling out California's SB 1383 standardized cart colors. While many long-time residents still utilize the traditional burgundy or dark red barrels for landfill waste, Burrtec is gradually replacing these with standard gray carts as they reach the end of their lifespan. If your burgundy cart cracks or loses a wheel, Burrtec will issue a newly colored and labeled gray replacement upon request.
A Unique Approach to Kitchen Food Scraps
Unlike many municipalities that strictly ban petroleum plastics in the organics cart, Burrtec offers a unique convenience for La Quinta residents: you can line your indoor kitchen food pail with standard clear plastic bags or reused grocery produce bags. When you toss these clear bags into your outdoor green barrel, Burrtec's specialized composting facility will mechanically open and remove the plastic before processing the food waste. This significantly reduces odors and pest issues in the extreme Coachella Valley climate.
Exceptional Weekly Bulky Item Allowances
La Quinta offers one of the most generous bulky item programs in Riverside County. Single-family residents can request the free curbside pickup of up to four large, bulky items every single week on their regular trash collection day. Whether you are clearing out an old sofa, replacing a mattress, or upgrading a television, you simply need to contact Burrtec's customer service department in advance to secure your weekly appointment.
Drop-off Facilities
87011 Landfill Rd, Coachella, CA 92236
Materials Accepted
Desert Arc Recycling Center
45875 Commerce St, Indio, CA 92201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put palm fronds in my green organic waste barrel?
No. Palm fronds are extremely fibrous and cannot be properly processed by Burrtec's commercial composting facilities. In La Quinta, all palm fronds, cactus clippings, and tree stumps must be disposed of in your burgundy/gray landfill trash barrel.
How often can I schedule a bulky item pickup with Burrtec?
La Quinta single-family residents can take advantage of weekly bulky item pickups. You are permitted to place up to four large items (including furniture and e-waste) at the curb on your normal trash day every week, entirely free of charge. However, you must call Burrtec in advance to schedule the pickup.
Do I have to buy expensive compostable bags for my kitchen food scraps?
No. Burrtec's processing facility for La Quinta actually prefers that you use standard clear plastic bags (like the ones used for produce at the grocery store) to line your kitchen pail. Bagging food waste reduces odors, and the composting facility has machinery designed to rip open and remove the clear plastic before the organic matter is composted.
What should I do if my burgundy trash cart breaks?
If your traditional burgundy or dark red trash barrel cracks or loses a wheel, call Burrtec customer service at (760) 340-2113. Because the state is transitioning to standardized colors under SB 1383, Burrtec will replace your damaged burgundy barrel with a new, properly labeled gray cart.