Black (or Grey with Black Lid) Bin (Trash)
Place your cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day with the lid fully closed. Do not overfill the cart or leave extra bags on the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Solidified cooking oil
- ✓Pet waste and cat litter
- ✓Flocked Christmas trees (cut into pieces)
- ✓Styrofoam (EPS)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the blue cart. Do not bag your recyclables. All containers must be empty, clean, and dry to prevent contaminating the recycling stream.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Hoses and wires (tanglers)
- ✕Yard waste and food scraps
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clothing and textiles
Yard Waste Bin
All organic material must go directly into the green cart. Do not use plastic bags, as they severely contaminate the commercial composting process.
Accepted Items
- ✓Yard trimmings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Meat, fish, and dairy products
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and peels
- ✓Bread, pasta, and grains
- ✓Plate scrapings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
3 Free Pickups Per Year
Placement
Call WM Customer Service at (949) 642-1191 at least two business days in advance to schedule. Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors)
- ✓ Up to 20 bags of trash or green waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household Hazardous Waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Treated wood waste
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
The first three bulky pickups (up to 4 items each) per calendar year are completely free. Additional pickups beyond the allowance will incur a standard fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday routes move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the standard black trash cart.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay and all routes will run on their normally scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Solidify Cooking Oil for the Trash
If you have small amounts of leftover cooking oil, never pour it down the drain or into the green organics cart. Instead, mix it with unscented kitty litter, sawdust, or sand, freeze it until solid, and place it in your black trash cart.
Keep Tanglers Out of Recycling
Items like garden hoses, wires, holiday lights, and extension cords are known as 'tanglers.' They wrap around the sorting gears at Waste Management's material recovery facilities, causing severe damage. Always place them in the trash.
Treated Wood Waste is Strictly Banned
Never place treated wood—such as old fence posts, guard rails, or landscape timbers—in your green or black carts. Orange County Landfills cannot accept treated wood; you must transport it to a specialized private disposal facility.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryWaste Management provides holiday tree recycling following Christmas. Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half, and all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands must be removed. Flocked trees will be collected as trash but cannot be recycled into mulch.
Spring/Summer
April - AugustWith spring cleaning in full swing, remember to utilize your three free annual bulky item pickups for large cleanouts. If you're undertaking major yard renovations, you can use a single bulky pickup allowance for up to 20 bags of extra green waste.
About North Tustin Waste Management
Unincorporated Orange County Waste Services
North Tustin operates as a unique, unincorporated community within Orange County. Rather than relying on a local city public works department, residents' solid waste and recycling services are overseen by OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR). Waste Management (WM) serves as the exclusive franchise hauler for the area, utilizing an automated three-cart system (black for landfill, blue for recycling, and green for organics) to meet California's strict environmental diversion standards.
Mandatory SB 1383 Organics Recycling
To combat short-lived climate pollutants, North Tustin residents must comply with state SB 1383 mandates by separating all organic waste from standard refuse. This means your plate scrapings, meat, dairy products, bread, and yard trimmings must go directly into your green organics cart. OCWR and Waste Management conduct routine cart inspections in public collection areas; cross-contamination can lead to formal notices of violation or denial of service.
Maximizing Your Free Bulky Item Pickups
A notable benefit for North Tustin households is the generous bulky item allowance provided by Waste Management. Residents can request up to three free bulky item pick-ups per calendar year. Each scheduled pickup can accommodate up to four large items (like furniture, appliances, or electronic waste). Alternatively, residents can use a bulky appointment to haul away up to 20 bags of extra yard waste or trash during seasonal cleanouts.
Treated Wood and Universal Waste Bans
North Tustin residents must exercise extreme caution with home renovation debris. Treated wood waste (such as landscape timbers, fence posts, and patio decking) is explicitly banned from OC landfills and cannot be placed in your curbside carts. Additionally, items like solar panels are now classified as Universal Waste. Residents must utilize authorized private recycling facilities for these hazardous materials.
Drop-off Facilities
Anaheim Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
1071 N. Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, CA 92806
Materials Accepted
Irvine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Waste Management pick up trash on Thanksgiving in North Tustin?
No. Thanksgiving is one of the six major holidays observed by Waste Management. If your normal pickup day is Thursday, your service will be delayed to Friday, and Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday for that week.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or TV?
North Tustin residents can request up to three free bulky item pickups per year, with a limit of four large items per pickup. You must schedule this service at least two business days in advance by calling Waste Management Customer Service at (949) 642-1191.
What happens if I put regular trash in my green organics cart?
OC Waste & Recycling and Code Enforcement routinely conduct cart contamination reviews. If you cross-contaminate your green organics cart with regular garbage, you may receive a formal notice of violation, financial penalties, or potentially face a denial of future service.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste like old paint and car batteries?
Orange County residents can drop off household hazardous waste for free at several regional Collection Centers, including nearby facilities in Anaheim and Irvine. These county-run centers are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except during rainy weather.