Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Laguna Niguel
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as trash pickup
Yard Waste
Same day as trash pickup
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste services are provided under an exclusive franchise agreement with CR&R Environmental Services, which directly bills residents.
Billing Cycle
Monthly or Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% Senior Discount is available for single-family residential customers where the head of household is 65 years of age or older.
Black Bin (Trash)
Carts must be at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on collection day with handles facing the house. Maintain 1 foot of space between carts and 3 feet from any obstructions like vehicles or fire hydrants. Lids must be closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Waxed paper
- ✓Plastic-coated products
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Ceramics and Pyrex
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Flimsy/flexible plastic and plastic film
- ✓Mixed products (plastic/metal combined)
Blue or Brown Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the recycling cart; never bag them. Flatten all cardboard boxes to prevent blockages, and lightly rinse food jars and containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Empty aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Empty aerosol cans
- ✓Juice containers and drink bottles
- ✓Clean food containers
- ✓Loose jar lids
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Cardboard, paper, and newspaper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Items in plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Window glass
- ✕Ceramics
- ✕Pyrex
- ✕E-waste
Yard Waste Bin
Drain excess liquids from food scraps before placing them in the container. Place yard waste at the very bottom to absorb liquids, and alternate layers of yard waste and food scraps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Flowers, hedge clippings, and weeds
- ✓Tree branches and trunks
- ✓Untreated lumber
- ✓Food preparation scraps and table scraps
- ✓Spoiled food (meat, fish, dairy, fruits, veggies, bread, pasta)
- ✓Coffee grounds
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two times per year
Placement
You must schedule your pickup in advance by calling CR&R Customer Service at (877) 728-0446. Do not place items on the curb until your scheduled date.
Accepted
- ✓ Refrigerators
- ✓ Sofas
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household Hazardous Waste
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Dirt or concrete
- ✕ Construction debris
The first two pickups per year are included in your standard residential service. Additional pickups may be arranged for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls during the work week, collection for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there are no delays to your normal pickup schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
The holiday delay applies to all collection services, including recycling, organics, and street sweeping.
For example, if a holiday falls on a Monday and your normal day is Thursday, your pickup that week will be shifted to Friday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryFor holiday tree disposal, remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands. Place the unbagged tree in or beside your green waste cart. Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half.
Rainy Season
November to MarchThe local Household Hazardous Waste drop-off center at the Prima Deshecha Landfill temporarily closes on rainy days. Always verify the weather and call ahead before hauling hazardous materials.
Local Tips & Community Info
Laguna Niguel Waste Management Overview
Keeping Laguna Niguel beautiful is a community effort, and local waste disposal is exclusively managed by CR&R Environmental Services. CR&R is responsible for handling all residential garbage, recycling, and organic green waste across the city. By following local franchise agreements, residents can ensure that refuse is properly diverted from landfills and that local neighborhoods remain clean. If you are new to the area, getting familiar with the specific cart guidelines, bulky item rules, and local environmental initiatives is the perfect starting point for your household.
Curbside Cart Placement and Collection Times
To guarantee your bins are emptied, all residential carts must be wheeled out to the curb no later than 6:30 AM on your designated collection morning. CR&R requires that you place the bins side-by-side with at least one foot of space between them. Additionally, keep them at least three feet away from parked vehicles, mailboxes, and fire hydrants. The wheels and handles should face your home, and all lids must be fully closed to prevent litter from blowing into the street. Be sure to retrieve your empty containers within 12 hours after the truck has completed its route.
Proper Sorting for Recyclables and Green Waste
Laguna Niguel strongly encourages waste reduction through its blue and green cart programs. The blue cart is meant for standard recyclables like cardboard, glass bottles, and plastics labeled with codes 1 through 7. To prevent contamination, residents should use leftover dishwater to quickly rinse food residue from containers before tossing them in. Your green cart is strictly for yard trimmings and organic material. Keeping non-compostable items out of the green waste bin is critical for the city to meet state sustainability regulations and keep our environment healthy.
How to Request a Bulky Item Pickup
Disposing of old furniture, large appliances, or extra bags of green waste is simple for Laguna Niguel homeowners. Every residential customer is permitted two free curbside bulky item collections per calendar year through CR&R. This service is ideal for items that simply will not fit inside your automated carts, such as couches, desks, and mattresses. To arrange a pickup, you must contact CR&R customer service by phone ahead of time. Dumping oversized items on public property without scheduling an appointment is strictly prohibited and can result in local fines.
Seasonal Tree Disposal and E-Waste Guidelines
Certain materials require special handling and should never go in your regular trash. Electronic waste, including old cell phones, monitors, and printers, contains circuit boards and batteries that are illegal to dump in automated carts. Fortunately, CR&R will legally dispose of e-waste if you arrange a special pickup. During the winter holidays, the city also offers curbside Christmas tree collection. Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half, and all lights, tinsel, and stands must be removed before placing the unflocked tree in or next to your green waste cart.
Drop-off Facilities
Prima Deshecha Landfill / County of Orange HHW Collection Center
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my trash carts out in Laguna Niguel?
All automated carts should be placed at the curbside no later than 6:30 a.m. on your designated collection day. They must be removed from the curb within 12 hours after service is completed.
How do I dispose of old motor oil?
Laguna Niguel has State Certified Used Oil Collection Centers, such as Econo Lube N' Tube on Forbes Road and the Laguna Niguel Service Center on Cape Drive. You can safely drop off used motor oil at these locations.
Can I throw food waste in my regular trash cart?
No. Under SB 1383 and the city's Organics Recycling Program, food scraps like meat, vegetables, and coffee grounds must be co-collected with your yard trimmings in the green organics cart.
What is the Recycle From Home program?
It is a residential pickup service that allows you to schedule collection for California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers right from your driveway. The service picks up your items and pays your redemption funds electronically.