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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Keep materials loose inside your blue or brown recycling cart. Plastic bags jam up the sorting machinery at the recycling facility and should be thrown in the black trash cart instead.
Keep Palm Fronds in the Trash
Due to their tough, fibrous nature, palm fronds cannot be processed at the organics composting facility. Always place palm fronds in your black landfill cart.
Batteries Do Not Belong in the Bin
Discarding electronics or batteries in your household carts is illegal and poses a severe fire hazard. Call CR&R to schedule a special e-waste pickup or take them to a designated drop-off center.
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.
About Laguna Niguel Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management in Laguna Niguel
The City of Laguna Niguel operates under an exclusive franchise agreement with CR&R Environmental Services for all residential and commercial waste collection. Households are equipped with an automated three-cart system to effortlessly separate municipal solid waste, mixed recyclables, and organic materials. By requiring proper sorting at the source, Laguna Niguel actively promotes landfill diversion and aligns with state-mandated environmental goals.
Mandatory Organics Recycling (SB 1383)
In compliance with Senate Bill 1383, Laguna Niguel mandates organic waste recycling for all residents and businesses. Homeowners utilize their green automated cart to co-mingle yard trimmings and kitchen food scraps. These combined organics are transported to CR&R's Regional Organics Anaerobic Recovery (ROAR) Facility, where they are sustainably transformed into renewable natural gas and nutrient-rich compost, drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Proper Disposal of Hazardous and Electronic Waste
Protecting Orange County's groundwater means keeping hazardous materials out of standard collection carts. E-waste (anything with a circuit board or battery) and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)—such as paints, solvents, and pesticides—are strictly prohibited from curbside bins. Residents can arrange special curbside e-waste pickups through CR&R or drop off HHW at the nearby Orange County Collection Center in San Juan Capistrano.
California CRV Redemption Innovations
Laguna Niguel strongly encourages the recycling of California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers. In addition to standard blue cart recycling, residents can utilize the 'Recycle From Home' program. This innovative service picks up eligible CRV items right from your doorstep or driveway and pays you electronically, making it incredibly convenient to earn cash while supporting local sustainability initiatives.
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.