Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Pasadena
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash pickup (yard waste and organics).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse and recycling charges are bundled directly into your Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) municipal utility bill based on your chosen cart size.
Billing Cycle
Monthly or Bi-monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Qualifying seniors (age 62+) can receive a 10% refuse rate discount, and free roll-out cart assistance is available for eligible residents with disabilities.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Pasadena's Refuse Collection
The Pasadena Department of Public Works handles curbside refuse duties for local residents. To ensure successful extraction, make sure your bins are stationed at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on your specific collection morning. Proper spacing is mandatory; leave roughly two feet between containers and steer clear of parked vehicles or mailboxes. Your mixed-waste bin is strictly for non-recoverable household garbage. Please verify that the lid shuts completely, as overflowing containers are prohibited and can result in citations or skipped service.
The Blueprint for Recycling and Organics
Complying with California's organics and recycling mandates is straightforward. Pasadena utilizes a designated container system to maximize waste diversion. The recycling bin is the correct destination for unbagged paper, broken-down cardboard boxes, clean glass, and aluminum. The yard waste and organics container is reserved for grass clippings, leaves, weeds, and kitchen food scraps. Contaminating these bins with plastic bags or regular trash disrupts the entire diversion process and can lead to immediate service penalties.
Handling Bulky Goods and Electronics
When residents need to discard heavy furniture, old mattresses, or large appliances, abandoning them on the sidewalk is strictly forbidden. Pasadena provides eligible residential properties with two complimentary bulky item collections annually. You must arrange these pickups in advance by contacting the Citizen Service Center at (626) 744-7311. Electronic waste, such as outdated computers and televisions, also requires a scheduled pickup to prevent toxic components from leaching into landfills.
Modifications for Holidays
The city's sanitation fleet pauses operations for a handful of major holidays, specifically New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your usual service day happens to fall on or after one of these dates during the week, collection will be postponed by one day. For instance, a scheduled Tuesday pickup will shift to Wednesday. Schedules revert to normal the following Monday.
Disposal of Dangerous Household Compounds
Never discard toxic chemicals directly into your municipal bins. Motor oil, pesticides, pool chemicals, and batteries are hazardous. To discard them lawfully, Pasadena locals must attend a Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste round-up event or utilize a permanent S.A.F.E. Center nearby, such as the one located in Glendale. Keeping these dangerous elements out of the standard waste stream protects both the environment and sanitation crews.
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.