Black Bin (Trash)
Bag all garbage before placing it in the black barrel to minimize litter and odors. Hazardous materials, food waste, and e-waste are strictly prohibited in the trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clothing and diapers
- ✓Dishware and flower pots
- ✓Pet waste and hoses
- ✓Pizza boxes
- ✓Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✓Wipes and plastic toys
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. Ensure all containers are clean and dry, and flatten cardboard boxes to maximize space inside the blue barrel.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Cardboard and cartons
- ✓Junk mail and newspaper
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Wrapping paper and tissue boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Diapers
- ✕Clothing
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Hoses
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste should remain loose. However, all food waste and food-soiled paper must be secured in a plastic-lined bag before being placed in the green barrel alongside your yard trimmings.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and prunings
- ✓Untreated wood and small branches
- ✓Bagged food waste (fruits, meats, dairy, bread)
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 4 free collections per 12-month period
Placement
Call Burrtec in advance to schedule. Place the items on the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regularly scheduled trash collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Water heaters and refrigerators
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (e-waste)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt and rocks
- ✕ Concrete
- ✕ Vehicle tires
Additional bulky item pickups beyond the 4 free annual appointments can be arranged for an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Green barrel service follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no service interruption and regular weekday pickup remains on schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Don't Bag Blue Bin Items
While you must bag your food waste in the green cart, all recyclables in the blue cart should be kept loose. Plastic bags jam the sorting facility equipment.
Flatten Your Cardboard
Spring cleaning or online shopping can fill up your blue barrel fast. Always flatten and break down your cardboard boxes to create more room for other recyclables.
No Wipes Down the Pipes (or in Blue/Green Bins)
Disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, and paper towels cannot be recycled or composted. Throw them exclusively in your black trash barrel.
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
December - JanuaryFor roughly one week beginning December 26, Burrtec will collect excess holiday trash and recyclables placed in bags alongside your regular containers.
Winter
December - JanuaryPlace unflocked Christmas trees at the curb on your normal collection day for up to two weeks after Christmas. Remove all lights and stands, and cut trees over 6 feet in half.
About Montclair Waste Management
Senate Bill 1383 and the Unique Bagged Food Waste Program
To meet California’s SB 1383 mandates, Montclair has introduced an organics recycling program with a unique requirement. While many cities ask for loose food scraps, Burrtec explicitly instructs Montclair residents to collect their food waste and food-soiled paper in a secured, plastic-lined container or bag before placing it into the green yard waste barrel. This distinct method helps keep the carts clean while ensuring that household organics are safely diverted from the local landfill.
Generous Bulky Item Collection
Getting rid of old furniture or broken appliances is remarkably convenient for Montclair homeowners. Burrtec provides single-family residential customers with up to four free bulky item collections every 12 months. You can place up to five large items, including electronic waste, at the curb per scheduled pickup. Always remember to call Burrtec Customer Service in advance to arrange the collection for your regular trash day.
Strict Contamination Monitoring and Fees
Burrtec and the City of Montclair actively monitor curbside bins for proper sorting to minimize landfill waste. If improper items—such as regular trash in the blue recycling bin or unapproved materials in the organics cart—are discovered, a contamination tag will be attached to the lid. Following an initial warning notice, subsequent violations can result in contamination fees and the cart being serviced as regular trash, which harms the city’s environmental diversion efforts.
Post-Holiday Excess Waste Recovery
The holiday season often generates a surplus of wrapping paper, gift boxes, and packaging. To accommodate this seasonal spike, Montclair allows residents to place excess holiday trash and recyclables in bags next to their regular barrels for approximately one week starting the day after Christmas. This helpful service ensures that your post-holiday cleanup doesn't overwhelm your standard blue and black bins.
Drop-off Facilities
Upland City Yard (Household Hazardous Waste)
1370 N. Benson Avenue, Upland, CA
Materials Accepted
Ontario HHW Facility
1430 S. Cucamonga Avenue, Ontario, CA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to bag my food waste in Montclair?
Yes. Unlike many other cities, Montclair's Burrtec program requires you to collect food scraps and food-soiled paper in a plastic-lined container or bag, secure it, and place that bag directly into your green organics barrel alongside your loose yard waste.
How many bulky item pickups do I get?
Residents in Montclair receive up to four free bulky item pickups per 12-month period, with a limit of five items per collection (including e-waste). You must call Burrtec in advance to schedule.
What should I do with my Christmas tree?
Leave it at the curbside on your collection day for up to two weeks following Christmas. Make sure it's unflocked, free of decorations, and if it's over 6 feet tall, cut it in half.
Can I put plastic bags in my blue recycling bin?
No. Recyclables should be kept loose in the blue barrel. The only time plastic bags should be used is for securing food waste in the green barrel or regular trash in the black barrel.