Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Norwalk
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are contracted through Athens Services, which bills residential customers quarterly in advance.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% discount on standard trash service is available for qualifying low-income seniors (age 65+ receiving SSI) and active military, Norwalk Sheriff Station personnel, and LA County firefighters residing in Norwalk.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Overview of Refuse Collection with Athens Services
The City of Norwalk has contracted with Athens Services to manage residential and commercial trash hauling throughout the municipality. This local, family-owned company ensures that all neighborhoods receive reliable, weekly refuse and recycling pickups. If you have just moved into the city and need to verify your designated collection day or request initial cart delivery, you can reach out directly to Athens Services at (888) 336-6100. Furthermore, the city's Environmental and Recycling Services department is available at (562) 929-5511 to help answer general sustainability questions.
SB 1383 Compliance: The Three-Stream Strategy
To remain compliant with California's SB 1383 mandate, Norwalk enforces a stringent three-cart sorting protocol. The standard black container is reserved strictly for non-recyclable solid waste. The blue cart is designed for clean, dry recyclables such as flattened cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, and acceptable plastics. The green cart is dedicated to organic materials, encompassing grass clippings, yard trimmings, and food scraps. By strictly adhering to these separation rules, residents help divert significant amounts of methane-producing waste away from regional landfills and support the city’s zero-waste initiatives.
Cart Positioning for Automated Trucks
On your assigned trash day, it is imperative that carts be wheeled out to the curb by 6:00 a.m. to ensure they are not missed by the early morning routes. Residents must arrange the bins side-by-side with the lid hinges facing away from the street and the front handles facing the roadway. Keep a minimum gap of three feet between each individual bin, and ensure they are placed far away from parked cars, fire hydrants, and mailboxes. This spacing guarantees that the mechanical arms on the Athens Services trucks can safely grip and empty the containers without causing property damage.
Oversized Item Disposal and Bulky Cleanups
Getting rid of old appliances, broken furniture, or discarded mattresses is easy thanks to the bulky waste program available to all Norwalk residents. Athens Services allows households to request special pickups for large items that cannot safely fit inside a standard curbside container. Residents must schedule this service in advance by calling the customer care line or submitting a request through the Athens Services web portal. Placing oversized items on the curb without prior authorization is considered illegal dumping and may result in municipal fines.
Hazardous Materials and Electronic Waste
Household hazardous waste (HHW) such as motor oil, wet paint, harsh cleaning solvents, and lithium batteries must never be tossed into any of your standard curbside bins. These volatile items pose extreme fire risks to sanitation vehicles and sorting facilities. Instead, Norwalk residents must utilize designated county collection events or permanent drop-off centers to safely dispose of HHW. Similarly, electronic waste like old televisions, computers, and cell phones require special handling and should be recycled through community e-waste collection days rather than general trash disposal.
Holiday Collection Modifications
Throughout the year, standard pickup schedules may shift due to major national holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Fourth of July. When a recognized holiday lands on a normal weekday, all subsequent collections for that week will be delayed by 24 hours. For example, a Thursday pickup will be rescheduled to Friday, and Friday routes will be completed on Saturday. Residents can always view a comprehensive holiday calendar on the city's official government page or the Athens Services website to stay informed about temporary schedule changes.
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.