Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lemon Grove
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone (collected weekly on trash day)
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are provided and billed directly by EDCO Disposal under contract with the City of Lemon Grove.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
A 20% Senior Discount is offered to qualified heads of household aged 62 or older with a total annual income under $30,000.
Gray Bin (Trash)
Use the 64-gallon gray trash cart for non-recyclable household garbage. Ensure the lid is completely closed to control odors and prevent desert pests or high winds from scattering trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓diapers
- ✓pet waste
- ✓plastic grocery bags
- ✓broken window glass and mirrors
- ✓ceramics and drinking glasses
- ✓chip and snack bags
- ✓rubber hoses
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables completely loose inside your blue cart. All items must be empty, clean, and dry. Never bag your recyclables, as loose plastic bags jam automated sorting facility rollers.
Accepted Items
- ✓clean aluminum and steel cans
- ✓glass bottles and food jars
- ✓cardboard and corrugated boxes
- ✓mixed paper and directories
- ✓beverage cartons and juice boxes
- ✓rigid plastic bottles and containers #1-7
Do NOT Include
- ✕plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕lightbulbs and mirrors
- ✕batteries
- ✕styrofoam packaging peanuts
Yard Waste Bin
Place organic matter loosely inside the green cart. Do NOT use any plastic or 'compostable/biodegradable' bioplastic bags, as they ruin the anaerobic digestion process. Wrapping food scraps in dry newspapers or paper bags is fully acceptable.
Accepted Items
- ✓grass clippings and leaves
- ✓brush and tree branches
- ✓weeds and hedge trimmings
- ✓meat, dairy, bones, and eggshells
- ✓fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓food-soiled paper towels and napkins
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by resident request
Placement
Place scheduled bulk items directly curbside at your property line on your assigned collection day, keeping them clear of regular carts and public pathways.
Accepted
- ✓ mattresses and box springs
- ✓ household furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ large appliances (stoves, washers, dryers)
- ✓ water heaters
- ✓ televisions and monitors
Not Accepted
- ✕ construction and remodeling materials (concrete, lumber, drywall)
- ✕ dirt, sand, and heavy rocks
- ✕ household hazardous waste
- ✕ liquids and chemicals
A nominal fee per item is charged to your account. The city also partners with EDCO to host annual or semi-annual community clean-up drop-off events where residents can dispose of bulk waste at low or no cost.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), trash collection for that day and all subsequent collection days in that week will be delayed by exactly one day. Regular pickup schedule resumes the following week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services are subject to the same weekday holiday schedule delay.
Holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday DO NOT delay collection services during the week; carts will be emptied on your normal service day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Dry Climate Fire Mitigation
June - OctoberSan Diego's arid summer and autumn seasons carry high wildfire risks. Residents are urged to routinely clear dead vegetation, brush, and low hanging tree branches around their properties and process them through the green organic cart.
Post-Holiday Christmas Tree Recycling
December - JanuaryReal Christmas trees can be recycled after the holidays. Remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, and stands before cutting the tree to fit completely inside the green cart. Flocked trees cannot be recycled and must go in the trash.
Local Tips & Community Info
Lemon Grove's Solid Waste Provider
Residential refuse and recycling services in the City of Lemon Grove are exclusively operated by EDCO. This family-owned waste collection company partners with the municipality to ensure clean streets and proper landfill diversion. EDCO manages the distribution of specialized carts for standard garbage, recyclables, and organic materials. By streamlining neighborhood routes, they help reduce emissions and traffic while maintaining a highly efficient weekly pickup schedule for all local households.
Cart Positioning and Morning Deadlines
To avoid missing your weekly pickup, all EDCO containers must be wheeled out to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your specific service day. Proper spacing is crucial for the automated mechanical arms used by the collection trucks. Make sure there is a minimum of two feet of clearance between each cart, and keep them well away from low-hanging tree branches, parked cars, and utility poles. The arrows on the cart lids should point directly toward the street. Once emptied, residents are expected to pull their bins back onto their property by the end of the day to keep sidewalks clear.
Mandatory Organics Recycling Program
Lemon Grove complies fully with California's SB 1383 mandate, meaning every resident must separate organic material from normal trash. Your green organics cart is designed to hold both yard trimmings and food scraps. This includes grass clippings, leaves, meat, dairy, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes. Mixing these items co-mingled in one bin allows EDCO to transport them to an anaerobic digestion facility rather than a landfill, which significantly cuts down on harmful greenhouse gases.
Scheduling Bulky Item Collections
When you need to get rid of oversized items that simply will not fit into your grey refuse cart, EDCO offers specialized bulk pick-up services. Lemon Grove residents can schedule the removal of old appliances, broken furniture, mattresses, and bundled branches. It is important to call EDCO's customer service team in advance to arrange this service, as trucks will not automatically collect heavy items left on the sidewalk. E-waste, such as old televisions and computers, can also be collected but must be noted during your scheduling call.
Impact of Holidays on Pickups
Your regular collection day may shift depending on the calendar. EDCO observes six primary holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If any of these holidays falls on a weekday, service for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by exactly one day. For example, a Thursday pickup will move to Friday. If the holiday lands on a weekend, your standard collection schedule will not experience any interruptions.
Drop-off Facilities
EDCO Lemon Grove Office & Drop-Off Station
6700 Federal Boulevard, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Materials Accepted
El Cajon Household Hazardous Waste Facility
950 O'Connor Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my EDCO bins out in Lemon Grove?
All trash, recycling, and green waste carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day, with at least two feet of space between each bin.
Can I put food waste in the green yard trimmings cart?
Yes. Under the current organics recycling rules, all food scraps, including meat and dairy, must be co-mingled with your yard waste in the green EDCO cart.
How do I throw away a mattress or large furniture?
You must contact EDCO directly to schedule a bulky item pickup. Do not leave large items on the curb without making a prior appointment with their customer service department.