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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Recycle and Green Bins
Plastic bags are single-use contaminants that damage machinery. Recyclables in the blue bin and organics in the green bin must be placed entirely loose; paper bags are the only acceptable liner.
Clean, Dry, and Empty Only
Any liquid residue or food waste remaining in jars, cans, or bottles ruins clean paper and cardboard in the recycling truck. Always scrape, empty, and rinse containers before discarding them.
No Pet Waste in Organics
While food leftovers and paper towels belong in the green organics bin, dog and cat waste or kitty litter carry pathogens and must always be bagged and placed in the gray landfill cart.
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.
About Lemon Grove Waste Management
Lemon Grove's Environmental Zero Waste Mission
Known for having 'the best climate on earth,' the City of Lemon Grove takes environmental resource conservation seriously. Partnering with EDCO Disposal, Lemon Grove runs on a three-bin waste separation program tailored to optimize diversion rates and hit state-mandated landfill reduction targets. Every resident's daily choices in sorting garbage, recyclables, and organics directly preserve San Diego County's unique coastal watershed.
Weekly Curbside Roll-Out Guidelines
Carts must be rolled out to the curb either the night before or by 6:00 AM on your scheduled weekly collection day. To ensure automated arm collectors can safely reach your bins without blocking local traffic or bike paths, keep a minimum of two feet of space between carts, and at least three feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, utility poles, and street trees.
Sustainably Composting Food Scraps and Yard Waste
Under California's SB 1383 mandate, organic material cannot be sent to local landfills. Lemon Grove residents utilize green organics carts to combine food waste—including fruit, vegetables, meat, bones, and leftovers—with standard yard trimmings and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes. This collected biomass is processed at EDCO's advanced Anaerobic Digestion facility, converting your kitchen scraps into eco-friendly renewable natural gas and compost.
Responsible Recycling and Local Hazardous Waste Options
Placing hazardous items into curbside carts is strictly prohibited and carries legal penalties. Lemon Grove provides convenient recycling options for difficult materials. Household batteries and unwanted electronic devices can be dropped off for free at EDCO's collection station on Federal Boulevard. Residents also have access to free household hazardous waste disposal by calling EDCO directly to book an appointment.
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
How do I dispose of everyday household batteries in Lemon Grove?
Household batteries are strictly banned from your curbside garbage and recycling bins. You can drop them off for free at the EDCO facility located at 6700 Federal Boulevard, Lemon Grove.
Does Lemon Grove provide free curbside bulk trash collection?
Unlike some cities, standard residential service in Lemon Grove does not include unlimited free curbside bulk pickups. EDCO collects scheduled large items for a nominal fee per item. Alternatively, residents can participate in periodic community bulk drop-off cleanup events organized by the City.
Can I use compostable or biodegradable bags to line my green bin?
No. Compostable, biodegradable, or any type of plastic bags are banned from Lemon Grove green bins because they don't break down cleanly in EDCO's Anaerobic Digestion system. You should place all food scraps and yard waste loose, or wrapped in standard newspaper or a paper grocery bag.
What is the holiday schedule policy for Lemon Grove waste collections?
Collections are delayed by one day only if the holiday falls on a weekday. If a holiday (such as Independence Day or Christmas) falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no change, and your trash will be picked up on its normal weekday schedule.