Black Bin (Trash)
Trash should be bagged to prevent litter. Do not overfill the cart; the lid must close fully, and the cart should weigh no more than 200 lbs (95-gallon) or 150 lbs (65-gallon).
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Products labeled compostable or biodegradable
- ✓Palm fronds, cacti, and succulents
- ✓Treated or painted wood
- ✓Pet waste and diapers
Blue (Formerly Purple) Bin (Recycling)
Place all items loosely in the blue cart; never bag your recyclables. Flatten all cardboard boxes to maximize cart space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (empty)
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, strings)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Keep materials loose; do not use plastic bags, even those marketed as "compostable" or "biodegradable," as they cannot be processed by the local facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, pizza boxes)
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
12 free special collections per year for city-serviced accounts
Placement
Place approved items at the curb or in the alley at your standard collection point by 6:00 a.m. EES employees are not permitted to enter private property to retrieve items.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed or taped)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors)
- ✓ Tires (maximum 5 per pickup, 16 inches or smaller)
- ✓ Tree branches and yard debris bundles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Rocks, concrete, and dirt
- ✕ Hot ashes
- ✕ Items exceeding 72 inches by 48 inches
The 12 annual pickups are completely free. However, certain hazardous or difficult-to-handle items may require a regulatory fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a weekday, collection for the holiday and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day, ending on Saturday. All other holidays maintain regular service schedules.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular refuse.
When Christmas and New Year's Day fall on a Saturday, collection will occur the Friday before the holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Palm Fronds Are Trash
Never put palm fronds, cacti, or succulents into your green organics cart. These plants are too fibrous and tough to break down properly in municipal composting facilities. Always toss them in the black trash cart.
Bio-Plastics Don't Compost Here
Items labeled "compostable" or "biodegradable" (such as eco-friendly cutlery, cups, or trash bags) must go into your black refuse cart. The commercial composting sites used by Long Beach cannot break these down.
Keep Glass Loose in the Blue Cart
Long Beach accepts empty, clean, and dry glass bottles and jars in the blue recycling cart. Make sure they are loose—never bag them, as bagged items are sent straight to the landfill.
Seasonal Information
Summer
June - SeptemberDuring hot summer months, cart fires are a serious risk. Never throw hot charcoal or ashes into any of your carts. Always allow ashes to cool completely in a metal container for several days before placing them in the black refuse cart.
Winter
December - JanuaryChristmas and New Year's Day are the only two holidays that cause a one-day delay in trash collection. Plan accordingly if your collection day falls on or after these dates.
About Long Beach Waste Management
Adapting to the Purple-to-Blue Recycling Cart Transition
In early 2026, the City of Long Beach began transitioning its residential recycling carts from purple to blue to align with California's statewide color standards under SB 1383. If you still have a purple cart, it will be automatically replaced with a new blue one on your regular service day. Regardless of the color, all carts must be set out in the alley or curbside by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, with lids fully closed and handles facing your home.
Navigating the Long Beach Organics Program
To comply with California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, Long Beach requires all single-family homes to use the green cart for both yard debris and food scraps. Residents can dispose of coffee grounds, meat, cheese, bones, and food-soiled paper products like greasy pizza boxes in the organics bin. To combat odors and pests, the city recommends freezing food scraps before collection day or wrapping them in used paper before tossing them in the cart.
Maximizing Your Free Special Collections
Long Beach provides an exceptionally generous bulk waste removal program compared to neighboring municipalities. Every city-serviced residential account is entitled to 12 free special collections per year for oversized items like mattresses, furniture, and appliances. Residents can even elect to use two of these free pickups on the same day if they have a large volume of waste. All special pickups must be scheduled in advance through the Environmental Services Bureau.
Uninterrupted Service on Most Major Holidays
Unlike many local waste programs that delay pickup for numerous holidays, Long Beach operates on an almost uninterrupted schedule. Refuse and recycling services run normally on holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. The only two holidays that trigger a one-day service delay are Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1).
Drop-off Facilities
EDCO Recycling & Transfer / Environmental Center
2755 California Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my collection day change for Thanksgiving in Long Beach?
No. The City of Long Beach only observes collection delays for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. For Thanksgiving and all other major holidays, you should place your carts out on your normal collection day.
Why is the city changing my recycling cart from purple to blue?
The transition from purple to blue recycling carts is required to comply with California’s SB 1383 law, which mandates uniform, state-wide cart colors for waste streams. There are no changes to the actual recycling rules or your service fees.
Can I throw palm fronds in the green organics cart?
No. Palm fronds, along with cacti and succulents, cannot be processed by the city's composting partners. You must place these items into your black refuse cart, or schedule a special collection for very large fronds.
How do I request a bulky item pickup for an old mattress?
City-serviced residents receive 12 free special collections annually. You can schedule a pickup for your old mattress by calling the Environmental Services Bureau at (562) 570-2876 or submitting a request online through the city's Special Collection portal.