Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Montebello
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste services are managed by Athens Services and billed directly by the hauler rather than through municipal water bills.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Free roll-out assistance service is available for qualifying residents with a medical doctor's note or DMV disability placard.
Black or Gray Bin (Trash)
Place all refuse securely inside the container with lids completely closed. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Do not overload the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cacti, succulents, and yucca leaves
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Styrofoam and bubble wrap
- ✓Plastic bags and film
- ✓Unusable clothing and fabric
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be empty of liquids and food. Place items loosely inside the blue cart without bagging them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (bottles, jugs, and tubs)
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard and clean pizza boxes
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum cans and clean foil
- ✓Steel and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place palm fronds, cacti, or plastic bags in this bin. All food scraps and yard waste must be placed loosely in the green container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Untreated and unpainted scrap wood
- ✓Meat, bones, poultry, and seafood
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, dairy, and bread
- ✓Coffee grounds and paper filters
- ✓100% fiber-based food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Upon request
Placement
Call Athens Services at 888-336-6100 at least 24 hours before your pickup day. Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day, ensuring they are stored out of public view prior to 24 hours before collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Large, non-hazardous household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials (paints, motor oils, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Electronic waste (e-waste)
- ✕ Automotive parts
Bulky item collection is free of charge for Athens Services residential customers when scheduled properly.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday (Monday - Friday), collection services for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
This one-day delay applies to all residential carts, including trash, recycling, and organics.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, waste collection services will not be delayed and will occur on your normal weekday schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to JanuaryFollowing the Christmas holiday, Athens Services provides curbside tree recycling. Trees must be completely free of flocking, fire retardants, stands, and all ornaments before being placed at the curb. Trees with flocking must be placed in the trash.
Summer
June to AugustDuring hot summer months, prevent odors in your green organics cart by freezing meat and dairy scraps in a container throughout the week, placing them into the cart only on the morning of your scheduled pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Athens Services Waste Collection in Montebello
For residents living within the City of Montebello, the municipal refuse and recycling collection program is exclusively operated by Athens Services. Every single-family home and participating multi-family dwelling receives a comprehensive three-cart automated system. This includes specific containers for standard garbage, commingled recyclables, and green waste/organics. By utilizing this standardized infrastructure, Montebello aims to meet California's ambitious waste diversion goals while maintaining clean, safe neighborhood streets. Any issues regarding damaged containers, missed pickups, or specialized service requests should be directed straight to Athens Services' customer care team at 888-336-6100.
Curbside Cart Placement and Timing
To guarantee smooth operations on your scheduled service day, residents must adhere to strict bin placement protocols. Athens Services requires that all household carts be wheeled to the curb either the night before or absolutely no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of collection. The bins should be placed side-by-side with the handles facing your property and the lid opening facing the street. Always ensure there is sufficient clearance—at least two to three feet—between the containers, parked vehicles, and any utility poles so that the automated truck arms can easily lift the carts without obstruction.
Organics, Food Scraps, and Proper Recycling
Proper material sorting is mandatory for all Montebello households. The blue recycling cart is designated for clean cardboard, paper, glass jars, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics like beverage jugs. Avoid placing flimsy plastic films or styrofoam in this container. Meanwhile, your green waste bin is strictly for organic matter. Under SB 1383 guidelines, this includes not only yard trimmings such as grass, leaves, and small branches, but also kitchen food scraps like fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, and 100% fiber-based food-soiled paper. Never use traditional plastic bags to line your organics bin, as petroleum-based plastics contaminate the composting process.
Requesting Bulky Item and Appliance Removal
When it is time to discard oversized household items that simply will not fit into your standard trash barrel, Athens Services provides a convenient bulky item pickup solution. Montebello residents can easily request a special collection for old furniture, heavy appliances, mattresses, and certain types of electronic waste. You must contact Athens Services in advance to schedule the retrieval, as dumping large items on the sidewalk or in public alleys is illegal and carries severe fines. Note that hazardous materials—such as motor oil, wet paint, and pool chemicals—are strictly prohibited and must be taken to a designated Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste collection event.
Holiday Service Shifts and Tree Recycling
Throughout the calendar year, normal refuse collection routing may be impacted by major recognized holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your regular trash day lands on or immediately after one of these holidays, service will be postponed by a single day for the rest of that week, allowing Friday pickups to occur on Saturday. Additionally, Athens Services offers a specialized post-holiday tree recycling program. Residents are instructed to remove all metal stands, ornaments, and tinsel, and place their un-flocked trees directly next to their regular carts. Any tree taller than six feet must be safely cut in half prior to curbside placement.
Drop-off Facilities
S.A.F.E. Center - Washington Boulevard
2649 E. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides residential trash collection in Montebello?
The City of Montebello contracts with Athens Services to provide all residential curbside trash, recycling, and organics collection.
Can I put food scraps in my green yard waste cart?
Yes. Due to California's SB 1383 mandate, all residents are required to place food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and 100% fiber-based food-soiled paper—into the green organics cart along with standard yard trimmings.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Montebello?
Residential customers can schedule a free bulky item pickup by calling Athens Services at 888-336-6100 during business hours. You must call at least 24 hours before your regular collection day.
Where can I dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Hazardous materials like paints, motor oils, and household chemicals cannot be placed in your regular trash. You must take them to a designated Los Angeles County Permanent Collection Center or a S.A.F.E. Center for safe disposal.