Black (previously Green) Bin (Trash)
Place carts facing the street with at least 3 feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, and other bins by 6:00 AM on your scheduled day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pet waste (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be clean, dry, and placed loosely in the blue cart. Do not bundle materials or put them inside plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Empty plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Junk mail and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam packing peanuts
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Place organic materials and food scraps directly into the green cart to comply with state composting laws.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small branches and weeds
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones)
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Food-soiled paper products
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request or during neighborhood events
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by the designated time on your scheduled pickup day. Do not block sidewalks or street traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ E-waste (at specific events/locations)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕ Automotive parts
Fees may apply for special curbside pickups depending on the size and quantity of items. Neighborhood drop-off events are generally free for residents with proof of address.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday, residential trash, recycling, and organics collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling are collected on the same delayed schedule as regular refuse during holiday weeks.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is generally no change to the weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Keep all items in your blue cart loose. Plastic bags wrap around the gears of the sorting machines at the local Materials Recovery Facility, causing delays and safety hazards.
Keep Polystyrene Out of the Blue Bin
Styrofoam cups, takeout containers, and packaging materials cannot be processed with standard curbside recycling. These items must go into your black refuse cart.
Combine Food and Yard Waste
Your plate scrapings, spoiled produce, and meat bones belong in the green cart along with your lawn clippings. Do not place organic waste in the standard trash bin.
Seasonal Information
Post-Holiday Cleanup
December - JanuaryOxnard typically provides a designated period for curbside Christmas tree collection following the holidays. Trees must have all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands removed. Trees over 6 feet tall should be cut in half.
Stormwater Protection
November - MarchDuring the rainy season, ensure your cart lids are completely closed to prevent water from filling the bins and washing debris into the storm drains, which lead directly to the ocean.
About Oxnard Waste Management
Municipal Solid Waste Management in Oxnard
Unlike many neighboring Ventura County cities that rely on private franchises, the City of Oxnard operates its own municipal refuse collection through the Environmental Resources Division. Armed with custom-wrapped trucks featuring ocean murals, city crews service single-family households with an automated three-cart system. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated collection day to ensure a smooth and timely pickup along Oxnard’s coastal and inland routes.
Navigating State Organics Mandates
To align with California’s SB 1383 environmental regulations, Oxnard requires residents to deposit all organic materials into their green carts. This includes yard trimmings as well as household food scraps like meat, dairy, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper. By diverting organics away from landfills, the city actively contributes to lowering statewide greenhouse gas emissions and repurposing waste into nutrient-dense compost.
Disposing of Bulky Items and Furniture
Clearing out old couches, mattresses, or large appliances is manageable thanks to Oxnard's bulky item pickup options. While basic curbside service covers standard waste, oversized items require a special request through the Environmental Resources Division. Residents can call to schedule a pickup (fees may apply based on the items) or take advantage of the city’s periodic neighborhood drop-off events hosted across different zones throughout the year.
Utilizing the Del Norte Transfer Station
The Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station, located on Del Norte Boulevard, serves as a crucial hub for Oxnard’s waste infrastructure. Beyond processing municipal collections, the facility operates a public buyback center and accepts drop-offs for items that don't belong in curbside bins. Residents can bring approved electronics, clean recyclables, and specific bulky materials directly to the station during operating hours.
Proper Handling of Household Hazardous Waste
Toxic materials such as leftover latex paint, car batteries, pesticides, and used motor oil pose a severe threat to Oxnard's waterways if disposed of improperly. Residents can utilize local resources, including designated drop-offs at the Del Norte Transfer Station or the Clean Harbors facility in nearby Camarillo, to ensure household hazardous waste is handled safely and legally.
Drop-off Facilities
Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station
111 S. Del Norte Blvd., Oxnard, CA 93030
Materials Accepted
Clean Harbors Environmental Services (Port Hueneme/Oxnard Area)
880 W. Verdulera Street, Camarillo, CA 93010
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a mattress or old couch in Oxnard?
You can schedule a special bulky item pickup by calling the Oxnard Environmental Resources Division at (805) 385-8060, or you can wait for one of the city's periodic free neighborhood drop-off events. You can also self-haul bulky items to the Del Norte Transfer Station for a fee.
Does Oxnard delay trash pickup for all holidays?
No. The city only delays collection by one day for six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Minor holidays typically do not affect the schedule.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste like old paint and batteries?
Oxnard residents can drop off certain hazardous materials at the Del Norte Transfer Station on Del Norte Blvd., or utilize the Clean Harbors facility in Camarillo by appointment. Never put hazardous waste in your curbside bins.
What items belong in the blue recycling cart?
Your blue cart is for clean, dry, and loose recyclables only. This includes flattened cardboard, paper, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastic containers. Do not put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food waste in the blue cart.