Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must be inside the black cart with the lid completely closed. Place containers at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, spaced at least 1 foot apart from each other and obstructions.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #3 and #6 (hard and foam)
- ✓All black plastics
- ✓Bubble wrap and plastic film
- ✓Unusable clothing and fabric
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Palm fronds, yucca leaves, cacti, and succulents
- ✓Hard shells (clams, mussels, oysters)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty of liquid and food. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely inside the blue cart so they can be easily sorted at the recovery facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic beverage and detergent jugs
- ✓Plastic food containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (no lids)
- ✓Aluminum cans, foil, and trays
- ✓Scrap metal, steel, and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Bathroom and facial tissues
- ✕Plastic bags, film, and black plastics
- ✕Tanglers (garden hoses, strings)
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags, bio-plastic, or wax-coated liners. Thorny plants like cacti, succulents, palm fronds, and yucca leaves are strictly prohibited and must go in the black trash cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meat, bones)
- ✓100% plant-fiber based food-soiled paper
- ✓Paper egg cartons and greasy pizza boxes
- ✓Compostable to-go containers
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Small branches and prunings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to FIVE (5) bulky items once a week for single-family homes at no additional charge.
Placement
Do not set items out without calling for a special pick-up. Place approved items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your regular trash day, ensuring they are clear of your automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and tables
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Rugs and large carpets
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (e-waste) like TVs and monitors
Not Accepted
- ✕ Automobile parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (dirt, concrete, tile, drywall, rock)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and compressed gas cylinders
- ✕ Pool chemicals and solvents
- ✕ Loose or scattered building material and lumber
The weekly collection of up to five items for single-family residences is entirely free of charge. Multi-family dwellings are allowed 12 pickups per year per unit at no charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Whenever one of these holidays occurs on a weekday, the collection schedule will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Thursday collections move to Friday, and Friday collections move to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the regular black trash cart collection.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is typically no delay to the standard weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Beware of Cacti, Succulents, and Palm Fronds
Unlike typical yard trimmings, thorny items like cacti, succulents, palm fronds, and yucca leaves are notoriously difficult to process and are strictly prohibited from the green organics cart in Norwalk. These specific plants must be placed in your black trash cart instead.
Hard Shells Belong in the Trash
While almost all food scraps belong in the green organics cart under SB 1383, extremely hard shells such as those from clams, mussels, and oysters do not break down in the commercial composting process. Toss these seafood shells directly into the black cart.
All Black Plastics Go to the Landfill
Optical sorting machinery at the Athens Services material recovery facility cannot effectively read and sort black plastic materials due to the dark pigment. Even if a black plastic container has a recycling symbol printed on it, it is considered contamination and must be thrown in the black trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to JanuaryAthens Services provides curbside holiday tree recycling for Norwalk residents. Place un-flocked holiday trees next to your regular trash containers. Trees over 6 feet in length must be cut in half, and all stands, ornaments, lights, and tinsel must be completely removed.
Year-Round
January to DecemberIf you routinely generate excess green waste during heavy landscaping seasons, Norwalk standard residential service includes up to two green carts for organic waste. Contact Athens Services if you need an extra cart delivered.
About Norwalk Waste Management
California's SB 1383 Organics Mandate in Norwalk
In compliance with state regulations to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SB 1383), Norwalk has fully implemented a standardized three-cart waste system through its franchised hauler, Athens Services. Residents are issued unlimited blue carts for recycling, two green carts for organic waste, and one black cart for landfill trash. The green cart is specifically designed to divert methane-producing organic material, meaning all food scraps—including meat, bones, and food-soiled paper like pizza boxes—must be placed alongside yard trimmings to be transformed into nutrient-rich compost.
Unlimited Weekly Bulky Item Pickups
While many municipalities across Los Angeles County heavily restrict large item collections to a few times per year, Norwalk single-family residents enjoy an incredibly generous bulky item program. You can request the free collection of up to five bulky items every single week at no additional charge. Multi-family units are also well-served, with up to 12 bulky pickups allowed per unit each year. These items are collected on your regular trash day, but you must contact Athens Services at (855) 557-1007 to schedule the pickup in advance.
Discounts for Seniors, Military, and First Responders
The City of Norwalk proudly offers a 10% discount on standard residential trash collection services to several specific demographic groups. Seniors who are heads of households and aged 65 or older, and who receive supplemental social security benefits, qualify for this reduced rate. Furthermore, active-duty military members, Norwalk Sheriff Station personnel, and Los Angeles County Firefighters who reside within Norwalk are also eligible to receive this 10% discount as a token of the community's appreciation.
The Option for Legal Self-Hauling
In a unique allowance, Norwalk explicitly permits business owners and residential householders to manage and transport their own solid waste and recyclables on a weekly basis, bypassing the services of Athens Services. To legally self-haul, residents must first obtain an official Self-Hauler or Back-Hauler Permit from the City Manager's office. This requires adherence to strict weight ticket reporting procedures to ensure all diverted waste is still properly accounted for under state diversion mandates.
Drop-off Facilities
Los Angeles County Permanent Collection Center (EDCO Recycling and Transfer)
2755 California Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash pickup services in Norwalk, California?
In Norwalk, solid waste collection, organics, and recycling services are exclusively provided by Athens Services through a franchise agreement with the City. They manage the three-cart curbside program for all residents and commercial businesses.
How do I request a bulky item pickup in Norwalk?
Single-family residents can request the collection of up to five bulky items once a week for free. You must call Athens Services at (855) 557-1007 at least 24 hours in advance to pre-arrange the pickup, which will occur on your regular trash day.
Are seniors or military members eligible for a trash bill discount?
Yes. The City of Norwalk offers a 10% discount on standard residential trash collection for seniors (65+ receiving supplemental social security) who are heads of household. Active military, Norwalk Sheriff personnel, and LA County Firefighters living in Norwalk are also eligible for this 10% discount.
What holidays delay Athens Services trash pickup in Norwalk?
Athens Services observes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If any of these holidays falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.