Black or Dark Grey Bin (Trash)
Place all non-recyclable, non-compostable household refuse in the standard trash cart. Ensure the lid closes completely to prevent street litter and deter pests.
Accepted Items
- ✓Styrofoam packing peanuts and blocks
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓K-cups and heavily coated coffee cups
- ✓Yucca, cacti, and succulent clippings
- ✓Treated or painted wood
- ✓Plastic bags, wrappers, and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Tissues and wet wipes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be completely empty, clean, and dry before disposal. Do not put your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags; they must remain loose in the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Clean, unsoiled parts of pizza boxes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clothing and textiles
- ✕Diapers and bathroom waste
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Deposit organic material directly into the green cart. Do not use plastic bags, compostable plastics, or twist ties. Cactus plants, succulents, and palm fronds are strictly prohibited in the green bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, weeds, and leaves
- ✓Untreated lumber, branches, and hedge trimmings
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and dairy scraps
- ✓Meat, bones, poultry, and seafood
- ✓Coffee grounds and eggshells
- ✓100% fiber-based food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Unlimited free collections for standard bulky items; 4 free collections annually for e-waste.
Placement
You must contact Ware Disposal at (626) 225-2400 to schedule your pickup. Do not place items at the curb until you have received confirmation from a customer service representative.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, recliners, and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and rugs
- ✓ Refrigerators, stoves, and washers
- ✓ Desks and large furniture
- ✓ Bundles of cardboard
- ✓ Bundled palm fronds
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (must be scheduled as a separate e-waste pickup)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Explosives and ammunition
- ✕ Tires and car parts
Standard bulky item and e-waste pickups are completely free for eligible residents, provided they are scheduled correctly.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday during the workweek, your waste collection service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The one-day holiday delay applies equally to the green organics/yard waste cart and the blue recycling cart.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay in your weekday service. Continue to place your carts at the curb on your normal scheduled collection day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Skip the 'Compostable' Plastics
Even if a disposable utensil or cup is marketed as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable', it cannot break down quickly enough in regional commercial facilities and must go in your standard trash cart.
Keep Succulents Out of Green Waste
Fibrous and water-retaining yard waste, specifically yucca, cacti, and succulents, cannot be processed in the organics cart. These specific desert plants must be placed in your regular trash bin.
Empty the Pail, Not the Bag
When transferring wet food scraps from your indoor kitchen pail to the green organics cart, empty the contents loosely. Never toss plastic grocery bags into the green cart, as they severely contaminate the compost.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December through JanuaryFollowing the Christmas holiday, Ware Disposal provides a free curbside holiday tree collection program. Trees must have all decorations, stands, and tinsel removed before being placed out on your normal scheduled collection day.
Year-Round
QuarterlyMonterey Park periodically hosts free quarterly community cleanup events for residents to drop off excess household clutter that might not fit in standard bins. Check the city website or Ware Disposal's community calendar for exact dates and drop-off locations.
About Monterey Park Waste Management
Ware Disposal Takes Over Residential Waste Services
As of September 1, 2024, Monterey Park's residential solid waste and recycling collection officially transitioned to a new exclusive franchise agreement with Ware Disposal. While the standard three-cart system remains in place for households, residents must now contact Ware Disposal for all new service enrollments, cart replacements, and curbside collection inquiries. This transition ensures updated, efficient, and reliable waste management across the community.
Navigating the Mandatory Organics Recycling Program
To strictly comply with California's SB 1383 climate mandates, all Monterey Park residents are required to recycle their organic waste. Every scrap of food—including meat, bones, dairy, seafood, and coffee grounds—as well as 100% fiber-based food-soiled paper, must be placed directly into your green waste container alongside traditional yard trimmings. Residents are encouraged to use an indoor kitchen pail with a tight-fitting lid to collect daily scraps before emptying them loosely into the green cart.
An Exceptional Perk: Unlimited Bulky Item Pickups
One of the most extraordinary and unique benefits of the new Ware Disposal contract is the provision for unlimited free on-call bulky item collections for all residential and multi-family customers. Instead of being limited to a handful of pickups annually, residents can schedule curbside removals for old furniture, large appliances, mattresses, and even bundled palm fronds year-round by simply calling in advance, a policy designed to drastically reduce illegal street dumping.
Proper Disposal of E-Waste and Hazardous Materials
While standard bulky items are unlimited, electronic waste (e-waste) such as old televisions, computers, or printers is handled separately. Ware Disposal offers Monterey Park households up to four free e-waste collections annually by appointment. Meanwhile, highly toxic items like motor oil, wet paint, and harsh cleaning chemicals are entirely prohibited from curbside carts and must be dropped off at a free Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.
Drop-off Facilities
Los Angeles County HHW Collection Events
Various locations across LA County (Visit CleanLA.com or call 888-CLEAN-LA)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the trash collection company for Monterey Park change recently?
Yes, effective September 1, 2024, Ware Disposal took over the exclusive residential solid waste and recycling collection contract for Monterey Park, replacing the previous hauler, Athens Services.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Monterey Park?
Monterey Park residents can schedule unlimited free bulky item collections by calling Ware Disposal at (626) 225-2400 or emailing [email protected]. Note that electronic waste (e-waste) pickups are handled separately and are limited to four free collections per year.
Where should I throw away leftover meat, bones, and dairy?
Under California's SB 1383 mandate, all food waste—including meat, bones, seafood, and dairy—must be disposed of in your green organics cart along with your regular yard trimmings and 100% fiber-based food-soiled paper.
Can I put cactus clippings or palm fronds in my green yard waste cart?
No. Cacti, succulents, yucca, and palm fronds are not accepted in the green organics cart. Cacti and succulents must be placed in your regular trash bin, while large bundles of palm fronds can be scheduled for a free bulky item pickup.