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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Palm Fronds and Cacti in the Trash
Although they are plants, palm fronds, cacti, succulents, and yucca leaves are extremely fibrous or dangerous for composting machinery. They must always be thrown in the standard trash container, not the green organics cart.
Plastic Bags are Prohibited in Recycling
Never bag your clean recyclables. Plastic grocery bags and film wrap tangle the sorting gears at the Athens Services Material Recovery Facility. Keep your blue cart contents loose and unbagged.
No Styrofoam in the Blue Bin
Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups, packing peanuts, and blocks cannot be processed in the standard recycling stream. These items must be placed in your trash container or taken to a specialized drop-off center.
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.
About Montebello Waste Management
Athens Services Exclusive Residential Partnership
The City of Montebello has designated Athens Services as the exclusive franchise hauler for all residential single-family trash, recycling, and organic waste collection. By streamlining services under one provider, Montebello ensures efficient curbside pickups and comprehensive compliance with California's strict environmental mandates. Residents must place their automated carts out by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day, ensuring that lids are completely closed to prevent litter and deter local wildlife.
Organics Recycling and SB 1383 Compliance
In accordance with California’s SB 1383 organics mandate, Montebello households are required to separate all yard trimmings and kitchen food scraps into their green organics container. Athens Services transports these materials to a specialized composting facility, transforming food waste—including meat, dairy, bones, and 100% fiber-based food-soiled paper—into nutrient-rich soil amendments. This critical diversion process keeps organic matter out of local landfills, dramatically reducing the emission of harmful methane gases.
Free Bulky Item Pickup Service
To help keep Montebello’s streets clean and prevent illegal dumping, Athens Services offers a highly convenient, free bulky item collection program for residential customers. Residents can schedule the removal of large, cumbersome items such as sofas, mattresses, and major appliances at no extra charge. You must call Athens Services at least 24 hours prior to your standard collection day to arrange the pickup, and items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m.
Roll Out Services for Residents with Disabilities
Montebello offers a specialized 'Roll Out Service' designed to assist residents who are physically unable to move their heavy automated carts to the curb. This service is provided completely free of charge. To qualify, residents must submit a certification from their physician or provide proof of a DMV handicap placard alongside their registration directly to Athens Services. This inclusive program ensures that every resident maintains reliable access to essential waste removal.
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.