Green Lid Bin (Trash)
Do not place construction materials, dirt, sand, sod, or concrete in the Green Lid trash cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Items soiled with food
- ✓Vacuum dust and sweepings
- ✓Hair clippings
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓All plastics #3 through #7
- ✓General non-recyclable garbage
Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
Ensure all accepted recyclables are empty, clean, and dry before placing them loosely in the Blue Lid cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aerosol cans (empty)
- ✓Rinsed beverage and food containers
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, catalogs, magazines
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food and pet waste
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Laminated or waxed paper
- ✕Unlabeled plastics
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastics #3 through #6
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put cactus, palm fronds, bamboo, animal waste, or large tree limbs in the Black Lid cart. Branches must be trimmed to fit so the lid closes completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Bagged food waste in clear plastic bags
- ✓Branches 3 inches or less in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free pickups per year
Placement
Schedule your pickup in advance via the Citizen Service Center at (626) 744-7311 and place items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Up to 2 tires (no rims)
- ✓ Lawn furniture
- ✓ Barbecues
- ✓ Play equipment
- ✓ Bundled wood (3' max)
- ✓ Fence material
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
- ✕ Electronic waste and computers
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Dirt and sand
- ✕ Large tree limbs and stumps
Additional bulky item pickups beyond the two free annual allotments, or exceeding the volume limit, may incur an extra charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The City of Pasadena does not collect refuse on the four major holidays listed. If your normal collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and organics follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling collections.
All other holidays not specifically listed (such as Memorial Day and Independence Day) do not interrupt the collection schedule, and trash will be collected on your regular assigned day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Only Plastics #1 and #2 Go In Recycling
Unlike some cities that accept all rigid plastics in the recycle bin, Pasadena only accepts plastics #1 and #2 in the Blue Lid cart. All plastics labeled #3 through #7 must be thrown into the Green Lid trash cart.
Bag Your Food Waste In Clear Plastic
While many SB 1383 programs ask for loose food scraps in the organics bin, Pasadena requires residents to place food waste in a clear plastic bag before throwing it into the Black Lid yard waste container.
Keep Styrofoam Out of the Blue Cart
Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) cannot be recycled at the local material recovery facility. Even if it has a recycling symbol on it, it must go into your Green Lid trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryPasadena often experiences severe winter windstorms in January. When extreme wind events cause heavy branch drops, the City's Public Works Department frequently initiates special green waste street cleanups to collect excess debris.
Post-Holiday
Late December to JanuaryThe City of Pasadena offers specific curbside collection dates and multiple drop-off locations for bare Christmas trees right after the holiday season. Always remove all lights, stands, and ornaments before placing them out for recycling.
About Pasadena Waste Management
Pasadena's Unique Curbside Bin Color System
Unlike many other municipalities in California, the City of Pasadena Solid Waste Management Department uses a distinctly different color-coding system for its automated refuse carts. Residents must place regular garbage and unrecyclable plastics into the Green Lid cart, while the Black Lid cart is reserved exclusively for yard trimmings and organic waste. The Blue Lid cart remains the standard for clean recyclables like paper, cardboard, and specific plastics.
Proper Food Waste Disposal Under SB 1383
To comply with California's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, Pasadena requires all single-family residents to recycle their food scraps. Interestingly, Pasadena residents must place their food waste inside a clear plastic bag before depositing it into the Black Lid yard waste container. This clear-bag method helps the processing facilities identify and separate the organic food materials from standard loose yard trimmings like grass, weeds, and small branches.
Scheduling Bulky Item and Used Motor Oil Pickups
Pasadena offers an exceptionally convenient curbside collection service for items that shouldn't go in your standard carts. Single-family homes receive up to two free bulky item pickups annually, allowing residents to safely dispose of old furniture, mattresses, and appliances up to three cubic yards per pickup. Furthermore, the city provides a by-appointment free curbside collection for used motor oil and filters—just call the City Service Center 24 hours before your normal trash day to arrange it.
Managing Hazardous and Universal Waste
Items like electronic waste, household chemicals, and batteries are strictly prohibited in Pasadena's Blue, Green, and Black carts. To protect the local environment, residents can utilize Los Angeles County S.A.F.E. Centers for free drop-offs year-round. Additionally, Pasadena Public Health provides free one-quart sharps recycling containers for residents to safely dispose of home-generated needles, keeping sanitation workers safe from accidental punctures.
Drop-off Facilities
Nicole Bernson (Balboa) S.A.F.E Center
10241 N. Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325
Materials Accepted
City of Pasadena Used Oil/Filter Curbside Pick Up
Curbside at your residence
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bin does my food waste go into in Pasadena?
In Pasadena, food waste goes into your Black Lid (Yard Waste/Organics) cart. However, you must place all food waste into a clear plastic bag and tie it securely before placing it in the Black cart alongside your loose yard trimmings.
Why are Pasadena's trash and organics bin colors different from other cities?
Pasadena uses a unique cart color system: Green Lid carts are for traditional Trash, Black Lid carts are for Yard Waste and Organics, and Blue Lid carts are for Recycling. Always check the lid color and labeling before tossing your waste.
Are bulky item pickups free in Pasadena?
Yes, single-family residential customers with City of Pasadena refuse service are entitled to two free bulky item pickups per year. Each pickup is limited to 3 cubic yards. You must call the City Service Center at (626) 744-7311 to schedule your appointment.
How do I dispose of used motor oil at my house?
Pasadena residents can have used motor oil and filters collected curbside for free. You must call the City Service Center at (626) 744-7311 at least 24 hours before your regular trash day to make an appointment. Place the oil in approved containers at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.