Black Lid Bin (Trash)
All landfill trash should be bagged and tied before being placed in the cart. The lid must close completely, and carts should be set out by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flimsy plastic bags and film
- ✓Polystyrene foam cups and containers
- ✓Compostable serveware (plates, forks, cups)
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Textiles and heavily soiled rags
Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. All items must be empty, clean, dry, and placed completely loose inside the blue-lid cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and plastic to-go cups
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags or film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Foam containers
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Place organic material directly into the green-lid cart. Do not use plastic bags. To reduce odor, you may collect kitchen food scraps inside a standard paper bag before tossing it into the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Twigs and small branches
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper products
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Three free pickups per calendar year
Placement
Place your scheduled bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day, ensuring they are separated from your standard automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Up to 20 bags of trash or green waste
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or rock
If you exceed your three free annual pickups or need to dispose of items that exceed standard weight and size limits, additional collections can be arranged with WM for a supplementary fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Your blue recycling and green organics carts will follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your black trash cart.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays to your standard weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Compostable Plastics Out of the Green Cart
Although they say 'compostable,' bioplastic serveware (like compostable forks, cups, and takeout boxes) cannot break down efficiently in WM's commercial organics facility [5.2.1]. These items must go into the black trash cart.
Loose Recyclables Only
Never place your clean recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag. The automated sorting gears at the recycling facility cannot open bags, meaning your good recyclables will be sent straight to the landfill as contamination.
No Batteries in Any Cart
Household batteries, both single-use and rechargeable lithium-ion, cause devastating fires inside collection trucks. They are strictly banned from all curbside carts and must be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste center.
Seasonal Information
Winter/Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryWM collects and recycles live holiday trees for the first three weeks following December 25th. Place the tree at the curb on your normal collection day. Trees over six feet must be cut in half. Flocked trees are collected as trash and cannot be composted.
Summer
June to SeptemberWarm Southern California temperatures can quickly cause odors and pests in your green organics cart. Minimize this by freezing meat and dairy scraps in a reusable container during the week, emptying it into the green cart only on the morning of pickup.
Fall
October to NovemberDuring peak Santa Ana winds, make sure all cart lids are pressed tightly closed and place the containers at least three feet away from parked vehicles and mailboxes so WM's automated arm can safely grab them without knocking them over.
About Ladera Ranch Waste Management
Unincorporated Orange County Franchise
Because Ladera Ranch is a master-planned community in unincorporated Orange County, its waste and recycling services are managed under a specific county franchise agreement with Waste Management (WM). This agreement guarantees residents standardized weekly collections utilizing a three-cart system: a black-lid cart for landfill waste, a blue-lid cart for mixed recyclables, and a green-lid cart for organics.
SB 1383 Organics and the 'Layer, Freeze, Freshen' Method
In compliance with California’s SB 1383 climate mandates, Ladera Ranch residents must separate all food scraps and food-soiled paper from regular trash. WM recommends three simple tips for your green organics cart: 'Layer it' by placing yard trimmings at the bottom to absorb moisture, 'Freeze it' by keeping smelly meat and dairy scraps in the freezer until collection day, and 'Freshen it' by sprinkling baking soda inside the cart to neutralize odors.
New Acceptable Items for the Blue Cart
WM has recently expanded its recycling program in Orange County. Residents of Ladera Ranch can now place empty plastic and paper to-go cups directly into their blue-lid recycling carts. As always, ensure these cups are entirely empty of liquids and ice to prevent ruining the surrounding cardboard and paper products.
Senior and Low-Income Rate Discounts
Ladera Ranch residents who meet specific criteria may be eligible to receive approximately 10% off their standard waste collection bill. Seniors aged 65 or older who are the head of the household and opt for smaller 35-gallon containers for all three streams automatically qualify. Low-income households enrolled in programs like CARE or California Lifeline are also eligible.
Free Mattress Recycling at Local Landfills
In addition to the curbside bulky item program, residents looking to dispose of old mattresses immediately can take advantage of the free mattress recycling program. Most standard mattresses, box springs, and futons are accepted at no charge at the nearby Prima Deshecha Landfill in San Juan Capistrano, operated by OC Waste & Recycling.
Drop-off Facilities
Prima Deshecha Landfill & Household Hazardous Waste Center
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the trash collector for Ladera Ranch, CA?
Because Ladera Ranch is an unincorporated community in Orange County, residential waste, recycling, and organics services are provided by Waste Management (WM) under an exclusive county franchise agreement.
How do I get rid of old furniture or appliances in Ladera Ranch?
WM provides Ladera Ranch residents with three free curbside bulky item pickups per calendar year. You can place up to four large items (or 20 bags of trash) out per pickup. You must schedule this service with WM at least two business days before your regular collection day.
Does food waste really go in the green yard waste bin?
Yes. California State Law (SB 1383) mandates that all food scraps—including meat, dairy, vegetables, and food-soiled paper—must be placed into the green organics cart to be composted or turned into renewable energy.
Will my trash pickup be delayed on holidays?
WM observes six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If any of these holidays fall on a weekday, service will be pushed back one day for the rest of the week.