Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakeside
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Same day as trash pickup (weekly)
Yard Waste
Same day as trash pickup (weekly)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste collection is handled directly by EDCO Disposal. You can manage your account and set up automatic payments through their online portal.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Gray Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb on your designated collection day. Ensure the lid is fully closed to prevent litter from blowing into the street or local waterways.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and horse manure (bagged)
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Plastic grocery bags
- ✓Ceramics and window glass
- ✓Treated wood
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the blue cart. Never bag recyclables in plastic. Rinsing is not required as long as containers are empty of food and liquids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper (junk mail, newspaper, magazines)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, jars)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✕Batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place any plastic, dirt, rocks, or pet waste in the green cart. Use only paper bags if you wish to wrap food scraps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree branches and brush
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, produce)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free pickups per year
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regularly scheduled service day, but only after you have confirmed the appointment with EDCO.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (White goods)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Car bodies or automotive parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Items requiring more than two people to lift
Exceeding your limit of two annual pickups or three items per pickup will incur standard bulky item disposal fees. Call EDCO at (619) 287-7555 for an exact quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling carts follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the trash cart.
Holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday DO NOT delay waste removal services for the remainder of the week.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fire Season
May to OctoberAs temperatures rise and Santa Ana winds threaten the region, property owners are required to maintain defensible space. Cut back dry brush and place it directly into your green organics cart without bagging.
Winter Storms
December to MarchDuring heavy rain events, residents often use sandbags. After the wet season, empty clean sand in your yard or take it to a landfill. Empty, degraded sandbags belong in the gray trash cart.
Local Tips & Community Info
Curbside Waste Collection for Lakeside Residents
As an unincorporated community within San Diego County, Lakeside relies on franchised waste haulers—predominantly Waste Management (WM) and EDCO—to maintain clean and sanitary neighborhoods. Because the region features a unique blend of dense suburban streets and sprawling equestrian properties, collection logistics rely on residents adhering to strict schedules. Homeowners must ensure their designated refuse carts are rolled out to the edge of the street no later than 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled service day. Route drivers operate on tight timelines, and setting bins out late often results in a missed pickup.
The Three-Cart System: Trash, Recycling, and Organics
In compliance with statewide environmental legislation, including California Senate Bill 1383, Lakeside households are required to separate their daily waste into three distinct categories. The blue container is strictly reserved for clean, dry recyclables such as cardboard boxes, paper, glass bottles, and rigid plastics. The green cart is designated for organic materials, meaning all yard trimmings, leaves, and kitchen food scraps must be placed inside. Keeping non-organic garbage out of the green and blue bins is essential, as contaminated carts may be tagged, refused for collection, or subject to extra processing fees.
Disposing of Bulky Household Items
Over the years, properties naturally accumulate oversized items that cannot safely fit inside a standard curbside receptacle. Fortunately, franchised haulers operating in Lakeside provide residential customers with complimentary bulky waste collections annually. Instead of abandoning broken couches, old mattresses, or large home appliances on dirt shoulders—which is classified as illegal dumping—you must contact your waste provider to schedule a special pickup. These appointments require a minimum 48-hour advance notice, and the specialized truck will typically collect the items alongside your normal weekly trash service.
Cart Spacing and Wildlife Deterrence
Given Lakeside's close proximity to rugged open spaces, hiking trails, and foothills, unsecured garbage can easily attract local wildlife, including raccoons, coyotes, and stray dogs. It is a local requirement that all cart lids are firmly shut when staged at the curb. Furthermore, when placing your containers out for the automated side-loader trucks, leave a minimum clearance of two to three feet between each bin. They should also be kept clear of parked cars, mailboxes, and low-hanging tree branches to prevent property damage during the mechanical lifting process.
Drop-off Facilities
Sycamore Canyon Landfill
8514 Mast Blvd, Santee, CA 92071
Materials Accepted
EDCO Station (La Mesa)
8184 Commercial St, La Mesa, CA 91942
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my recyclables inside plastic garbage bags?
No. Plastic bags jam the sorting machinery at the recycling facility. All recyclable items in Lakeside must be placed loosely into the blue cart. The only exception is shredded paper, which should be placed in a clear plastic bag or paper bag to prevent it from blowing away.
How do I safely dispose of electronic waste (e-waste)?
Televisions, computers, printers, and other electronics contain toxic metals and are banned from regular trash carts. Lakeside residents can schedule an e-waste pickup with their franchised hauler, or drop these items off at designated San Diego County household hazardous waste collection facilities.
Are trash routes delayed during extreme weather or Red Flag warnings?
During severe Santa Ana wind events or Red Flag fire warnings, waste collection may occasionally be delayed for safety reasons, especially in remote or steep areas of Lakeside. Your hauler will notify you via email, phone, or their website if routes are suspended.