Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Palm Desert
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
Single-family residential trash fees are automatically included on your annual Riverside County property tax bill rather than billed quarterly.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Bill, Online, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Part-time residents can suspend service for up to 4 months per year for a billing adjustment; contact Burrtec for qualifying senior discount assistance.
Dark Grey Bin (Trash)
All trash must be contained within the bin with the lid fully closed. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. and removed within 12 hours of collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Styrofoam and packing blocks
- ✓Padded envelopes and Tyvek
- ✓Wax-coated cardboard
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Mirrors and dishware
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items should be placed loosely in the blue bin without being bagged in plastic. Plastic film and grocery bags must be removed or recycled at local grocery drop-offs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics numbered 1-7 (empty and clean)
- ✓Empty plastic medicine bottles
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Junk mail, magazines, and envelopes
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic film or wrap
- ✕Styrofoam containers
- ✕Food-stained paper (pizza boxes)
- ✕Organic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard waste loosely in the green container. All food scraps must be wrapped in paper, newspaper, or a biodegradable wrapping before being added.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and twigs
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and dairy (must be bagged in paper)
- ✓Meats and bones (must be bagged in paper)
- ✓Food-stained paper items like napkins or coffee filters (must be bagged in paper)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Available upon request for single-family and eligible multi-family residences.
Placement
Items must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day, at least 5 feet from stationary objects and 15 feet from parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors, computers)
- ✓ Furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid paints or solvents
- ✕ Loose dirt or rocks
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste (must use At-Home HHW program)
Bulk pickups are generally free for standard residential accounts but must be scheduled in advance by calling Burrtec at (760) 340-2113.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all collections for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
There is no service interruption or delay if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryBurrtec provides curbside Christmas tree recycling from December 26th through mid-January. Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half, and flocked trees cannot be composted so they will be collected as trash.
Spring
March - MayDuring the Coachella Valley's heavy spring wind events, it is critical to ensure your cart lids are completely shut. Do not overfill bins (maximum weight is 150 lbs) as the wind can easily blow loose debris into the streets.
Summer
June - SeptemberPalm Desert experiences extreme desert heat. To minimize odors and pests in your organics and trash bins, keep them stored in a shaded area or garage, and ensure food waste is tightly wrapped in paper before disposal.
Local Tips & Community Info
The Essential Palm Desert Waste Collection Program
Residents of Palm Desert enjoy a comprehensive residential solid waste program managed by Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services. The city requires all single-family homes to utilize a standardized three-cart system to separate standard refuse, recyclables, and organics. By actively participating in this program, residents help the city meet rigorous California environmental mandates while keeping their resort community pristine. All trash should be bagged properly before being placed into the grey container to prevent litter from blowing down the street during windy desert afternoons.
Rules for the Green Organics and Blue Recycling Carts
Proper sorting is a major focus in Palm Desert. Your blue cart is strictly for clean recyclables such as plastic bottles, glass jars, aluminum cans, and junk mail. Uniquely, Burrtec permits residents to place flattened and tied cardboard boxes directly next to the blue cart if they do not fit inside. Meanwhile, the green cart handles both yard trimmings and kitchen organics. Food scraps must be separated from general yard waste by being wrapped in a paper bag or newspaper before tossing them into the green bin to minimize odors and pests.
Curbside Set-Out Guidelines for Burrtec Services
Automated collection vehicles require specific spacing to operate efficiently and safely. Palm Desert homeowners must wheel their carts to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their designated collection morning. The bins need to face the street and be kept at least three feet apart from one another. Make sure you avoid placing your carts behind parked cars, near mailboxes, or directly under low-hanging tree branches. Any materials left on the ground outside of the designated containers, with the sole exception of properly bundled cardboard, will be ignored by the drivers.
Requesting Bulky Item and Electronic Waste Pickups
If you are renovating your home or simply clearing out the garage, you do not need to haul heavy furniture to a landfill. The city’s contract with Burrtec includes curbside collection for large household items and electronic waste, such as old televisions or computers. You must call the local Burrtec office at 760-340-2113 in advance to schedule an appointment. On the morning of your approved route day, you can place up to four bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. for completely free removal.
Disposing of Household Hazardous Waste Safely
Dumping chemicals in standard trash bins is strictly illegal in California. To accommodate residents, Palm Desert partners with Burrtec to offer an At-Home Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program. You can arrange for the safe removal of used motor oil, pool chemicals, paint, and batteries by scheduling a special pickup. Households are permitted up to four HHW collections per calendar year, with weight and volume limits generally restricted to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per appointment to ensure safe transit.
How National Holidays Impact the Collection Calendar
Burrtec observes six major holidays throughout the year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these dates during the workweek, all subsequent residential pickups will be delayed by one day. Standard operations always resume the following Monday, so residents are advised to adjust their roll-out routines accordingly during festive periods.
Drop-off Facilities
Palm Desert Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
41-800 Corporate Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Materials Accepted
Edom Hill Transfer Station
70-100 Edom Hill Road, Cathedral City, CA 92235
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay my trash bill in Palm Desert?
For most individually billed residential homes in Palm Desert, trash service is billed automatically through the Riverside County Tax Roll. You do not receive a separate monthly or quarterly invoice from Burrtec; it is included in your property taxes.
What is the rule for putting food waste in the green cart?
Palm Desert requires residents to separate their food scraps from regular yard trimmings inside the green organics cart. Food waste must be placed inside a paper bag, wrapped in newspaper, or secured in another biodegradable wrapping before being tossed in the bin.
Does Burrtec pick up old TVs and electronics?
Yes, electronic waste is accepted through Burrtec's bulky item pick-up program. You can call customer service to schedule a curbside collection for up to four E-Waste or bulky items at a time, to be picked up on your regular service day.
How can I dispose of old paint or chemicals without driving to a facility?
Palm Desert offers a highly convenient At-Home HHW Collection Program. You can call Burrtec to schedule an at-home pickup of hazardous materials like paint and household cleaners. Collections are limited to four per calendar year, up to 15 gallons or 125 lbs per pickup.