Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Murrieta
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Weekly on the same day as regular trash collection.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential solid waste collection is contracted through Waste Management (WM). For billing inquiries, establishing service, or requesting your two free annual bulky item pickups, contact WM directly at 866-909-4458.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Burgundy or Dark Gray (with Black Lid) Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day and removed from the right-of-way within 12 hours after collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Treated or painted wood
Gray or Dark Gray (with Blue Lid) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely into the cart. Do not bag recyclables. Break down cardboard boxes to ensure the lid closes completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, and tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put plastic bags, dirt, rocks, or pet waste in the green cart. Use a brown paper bag or layer food scraps with yard trimmings to minimize odors.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree branches and brush
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, dirty napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free bulky item pickups per calendar year.
Placement
Place items securely at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day, ensuring they do not block sidewalks or storm drains.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, desks)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕ Automotive parts
If you exceed your two free annual bulky pickups, additional collections can be scheduled with Waste Management for an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Regular collection of trash, recyclables, and yard waste will be delayed by one day during the week of an observed holiday, with Friday services occurring on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services adhere to the exact same one-day delay as residential trash pickup.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, there are no disruptions to the Monday through Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryWaste Management collects and recycles Christmas trees for the first two weeks following Christmas on your regular service day. Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half, and all tinsel, ornaments, and stands must be completely removed.
Year-Round
January - DecemberMurrieta experiences extreme heat during the summer months. It is highly recommended to freeze meat and dairy scraps in your kitchen before placing them in your green organics cart the night before your scheduled collection to prevent severe odor and maggot infestations.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste Management Services in Murrieta
Keeping Murrieta's neighborhoods pristine relies on a strong partnership between residents and Waste Management (WM). For weekly curbside collection, homeowners must position their refuse, recycling, and green waste carts at the street edge by 6:00 a.m. on their designated pickup day. To allow the automated mechanical arms on the WM trucks to operate safely, you must provide a minimum clearance of three feet between each bin, as well as away from fences, vehicles, and utility poles. The lids need to be completely shut to prevent wildlife access and windblown debris.
Sorting Organics and SB 1383 Enforcement
In compliance with statewide environmental legislation (SB 1383), all properties in Riverside County must participate in organics recycling. Your green cart is no longer just for yard clippings; it must also be used for all food scraps, coffee grounds, and soiled paper items like pizza boxes. Never place any type of plastic bag—biodegradable or otherwise—into the green container. Keeping organic materials out of standard landfills is a critical step in lowering regional methane emissions and producing nutrient-rich compost for California's agricultural sector.
Free Bulky Item Removals for Residents
Do you have an old sofa, broken refrigerator, or worn-out mattress taking up space? Murrieta households are eligible for a set number of complimentary bulky item collections annually through Waste Management. Rather than hauling heavy items to the county dump yourself, you can request a specialized curbside pickup online via your WM account dashboard or by calling their customer care center. Note that certain hazardous materials and construction debris are strictly excluded from this specific program.
Handling E-Waste and Toxic Household Goods
Properly discarding hazardous household waste (HHW) is essential for protecting the local water table. Items like leftover paint, used motor oil, pesticides, and dead batteries should never be tossed into your standard black or blue carts. The City of Murrieta frequently coordinates with the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources to host free HHW drop-off events throughout the year. Electronic waste, including old televisions and computer monitors, can also be safely surrendered at these specialized collection drives.
Navigating Weather and Holiday Delays
While normal weather rarely disrupts Southern California waste collection, significant holidays do alter the weekly schedule. Waste Management recognizes six major annual holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When one of these dates falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week are postponed by a single day. Saturday pickups will occur for homes whose normal service falls on a Friday during a holiday week.
Drop-off Facilities
Murrieta ABOP and PaintCare Facility (Riverside County)
25315 Jefferson Avenue, Murrieta, CA 92562
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I opt out of the monthly Waste Management fee in Murrieta?
Yes, but you must apply for a Self-Haul Permit. This program allows you to transport your own trash and organics to approved facilities. The permit costs $89.08 annually, and you must submit proof of legal disposal at least three times a year.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup?
Residents are entitled to two free bulky item pickups each year. You must call Waste Management at 866-909-4458 at least 24 hours before your regular collection day to reserve your spot.
Where can I drop off hazardous household chemicals?
Riverside County operates the ABOP and PaintCare Facility right in Murrieta at 25315 Jefferson Avenue. They accept antifreeze, batteries, oil, paint, and e-waste on non-holiday Saturdays.
Can I leave my trash carts on the street all week?
No. The City of Murrieta requires that carts be placed at the curb no earlier than 24 hours prior to your pickup day and must be removed from the public right-of-way within 12 hours after collection.