Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ladera Ranch
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as regular trash pickup (weekly)
Yard Waste
Same day as regular trash pickup (weekly)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services in Ladera Ranch are provided by Waste Management under Orange County's franchise agreement and are billed directly by WM.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% discount is available for senior citizens (age 65 and older who downsize to a 35-gallon cart) and eligible low-income residents enrolled in CARE/FERA or California Lifeline.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Ladera Ranch Waste Disposal Information
In the master-planned community of Ladera Ranch, keeping our beautifully landscaped neighborhoods free of litter is a shared priority. Solid waste, recycling, and green waste services are managed by Waste Management of Orange County. Because Ladera Ranch is an unincorporated area, the county relies on franchise haulers to maintain strict adherence to California's complex environmental laws. Participating actively in proper waste separation ensures our local trails, parks, and streets stay immaculate.
Early Morning Cart Placement Protocol
To guarantee smooth operations for Waste Management drivers, all residential carts must be wheeled to the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your specific collection morning. Keep the wheels of the carts facing your residence, with the lids tightly shut to prevent wildlife access. It is required to leave at least a two-foot gap between the black, blue, and green bins so the automated truck arm can lift them without knocking the others over. Once emptied, all carts must be moved out of public view by the end of the day.
Complying with Organic Waste Regulations
California legislation mandates that all households separate their organic materials from the main garbage stream to reduce methane gas emissions from landfills. Your green cart in Ladera Ranch is designated for all organic refuse, which encompasses grass clippings, tree prunings, and all food scraps. From leftover pizza to meat bones and coffee filters, these kitchen scraps must go directly into the organics bin. To minimize odor, consider layering your yard trimmings over your food scraps or storing scraps in the freezer until the morning of your pickup.
Managing Household Recycling
The blue recycling cart is meant only for dry, unsoiled materials that can be easily processed into new goods. Acceptable items include clean cardboard boxes, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and rigid plastic containers. It is incredibly important that you do not place recyclables inside plastic garbage bags; they must be tossed loosely into the bin. Items like Styrofoam, greasy pizza boxes, and tanglers such as garden hoses belong in your black landfill cart.
Scheduling Large Item Pickups
When a standard black container is too small to handle your waste—such as during a home remodel or when replacing a broken appliance—you do not have to leave these items sitting in your driveway. Waste Management offers Ladera Ranch residents the ability to schedule customized bulky item collections throughout the year. You must contact their Orange County dispatch center in advance to set up an appointment, as route drivers will bypass large furniture, mattresses, or bundled wood that is not pre-registered.
Collection Changes Due to Holidays
Waste Management observes the standard major holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday before your normal trash day, your neighborhood's collection will be delayed by one calendar day for the remainder of that week. Normal pickup schedules resume on the Monday following the holiday week.
Drop-off Facilities
Prima Deshecha Landfill & Household Hazardous Waste Center
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company collects the trash in Ladera Ranch?
Waste Management of Orange County serves as the designated waste and recycling hauler for the Ladera Ranch community.
What is the rule for placing bins at the curb?
All trash and recycling carts must be out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, with at least a two-foot gap between each bin to allow the automated trucks to lift them.
Are Ladera Ranch residents required to recycle food waste?
Yes. Per state law, all food scraps—including meat, dairy, and bones—must be separated and placed into your green organics cart alongside your yard waste.