Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for La Quinta
Collections in California municipal routes run weekly (Mon-Fri). Your specific collection day is determined by your local neighborhood route.
State Mandate
Follow SB 1383 guidelines for food waste.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling collection is contracted through Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services, which also provides free weekly curbside pickup for up to four bulky items by advance appointment.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizen discounts are available for qualifying heads of household aged 65 and older through Burrtec.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Managing Your Waste in the Gem of the Desert
For residents of La Quinta, maintaining the stunning aesthetics of the Coachella Valley is a shared responsibility. The city contracts exclusively with Burrtec Waste Industries to provide comprehensive curbside collection. Given the unique desert environment and occasionally high winds, following the established municipal guidelines for refuse, recycling, and organics is essential. Services are scheduled on specific weekdays based on your neighborhood zone, ensuring the community stays spotless year-round.
Curbside Setup and Wind Advisories
To ensure your bins are properly serviced, Burrtec requires that all containers be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Because La Quinta frequently experiences strong desert winds, it is highly recommended to securely bag your standard trash to prevent loose debris from blowing into the streets and nearby golf courses. Place your carts side-by-side with at least three feet of clearance between them. Additionally, city ordinance dictates that bins must not be left on the street for more than 24 hours to preserve neighborhood beauty.
Navigating the Recycling Program
The blue recycling container is dedicated to processing clean materials and keeping them out of local landfills. You should place items like broken-down cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and clean plastic containers directly into this cart. Unlike your regular trash, recyclables must remain completely unbagged. Film plastics, grocery bags, and tangled cords are strictly prohibited, as they cause significant damage to the sorting equipment at Burrtec’s regional processing facilities.
Organics, Food Scraps, and Desert Landscaping
In compliance with state environmental laws, La Quinta utilizes a green organics cart for both yard debris and kitchen food waste. You must dispose of vegetable clippings, meat, bones, and soiled paper products in this bin. Due to the specific desert landscaping in the area, it is important to note that while grass and standard leaves are perfect for the green bin, heavy palm fronds and large cactus trimmings often require special handling. Check Burrtec's specific size restrictions before tossing sharp or bulky desert plants into the organics cart.
Requesting a Bulky Item Pick-Up
Got an old mattress or a broken washing machine? La Quinta residential accounts include the perk of free bulky item collections throughout the year. You can schedule up to four separate pickups annually, with a maximum of five items per appointment. This service must be scheduled directly through Burrtec's customer service office at least 48 hours prior to your normal trash day. Electronic waste, like old televisions and computer monitors, is also eligible for this convenient curbside retrieval.
Holiday Collection Adjustments
Burrtec operations halt for six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, service will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week. If the holiday lands on a weekend, your regular pickup schedule remains completely unaffected, and you should set your bins out on your normal service day.
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.