Gray Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Ensure the lid is fully closed. Do not overfill the cart or place hazardous waste inside.
Accepted Items
- ✓Broken glass or ceramics
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Chip and snack bags
- ✓Plastic grocery bags
- ✓Vacuum bags
- ✓Garden hoses
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclable items loosely inside the Blue cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags. Flatten all cardboard boxes to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers #1-7
- ✓Cartons (milk, juice, soup)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕E-waste
- ✕Diapers
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Wrap food scraps in newspaper or paper bags, or place them directly into the Green cart. Never use plastic or 'compostable' plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree branches and brush
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, fruits, veggies)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (paper towels, greasy pizza boxes)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two free pickups per calendar year.
Placement
Place your scheduled bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your confirmed collection day, ensuring they do not block traffic, sidewalks, or your regular waste carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Televisions and large electronics
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt, asphalt)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Excess standard household trash in bags
Exceeding the limit of 3 items per pickup, or requesting more than two pickups a year, will result in additional charges. Construction debris requires renting a roll-off dumpster.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the regular Gray trash cart.
Holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday do not cause any delays to the standard weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Wrap Scraps in Paper, Not Plastic
When transferring kitchen food waste to your Green organics cart, wrap the scraps in newspaper or brown paper bags to minimize mess. Never use plastic bags, as they ruin the anaerobic digestion and composting processes.
Keep Recyclables Loose
Do not bag the materials in your Blue recycling cart. Keep cardboard, glass, and aluminum loose so the automated sorting machines at EDCO's material recovery facility can process them correctly.
No E-Waste in the Gray Trash Cart
Electronic waste and batteries cannot go into your Gray trash cart. Take them to the Ramona Transfer Station's designated drop-off area on Maple Street to prevent highly dangerous truck and landfill fires.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayTake advantage of the free self-serve mulch and wood chips at the Ramona Transfer Station to prepare your garden beds for the hot summer months. Bring a tarp if hauling in an open truck.
Summer
June to AugustSan Diego County summers pose significant wildfire risks. Clear dried brush, dead leaves, and yard trimmings from your property early in the season, placing them loosely in your Green organics cart for weekly pickup.
Winter
December to JanuaryRamona Disposal Service offers curbside Christmas tree recycling. Remove all ornaments, lights, and stands. Cut trees over four feet in half and place them in your Green organics cart, or utilize local drop-off sites.
About Ramona Waste Management
Navigating Ramona's Three-Cart System
Ramona Disposal Service (RDS), an EDCO company, manages waste for Ramona residents using a standardized three-cart system. Unincorporated San Diego County residents receive a Gray cart for household trash, a Blue cart for commingled recyclables, and a Green cart for organics. To ensure the automated collection trucks can service the bins smoothly, residents must leave a minimum of two feet of space between each cart and three feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, and trees.
Organics Recycling and the Anaerobic Digestion Facility
In compliance with California's SB 1383 mandate, Ramona residents are required to divert food waste and yard trimmings from the landfill. All food scraps and food-soiled paper must go into the Green organics cart. Instead of decomposing in a landfill, EDCO processes this material at its state-of-the-art Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility. This technology turns Ramona's green waste into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) that actually powers their fleet of collection trucks.
Free Mattress Drop-Off and Mulch at the Transfer Station
The Ramona Transfer Station, located at 324 Maple Street, is a massive asset for local households. Unincorporated county residential customers can drop off up to 10 mattresses or box springs for free (they must be wrapped in specialized disposal bags prior to drop-off). Additionally, RDS offers a self-serve, free mulch and wood chip pickup program Monday through Saturday at this same facility. Just remember to bring your own shovel, tarp, and heavy-duty containers.
Curbside Bulky Item Collections
Got an old sofa, broken water heater, or heavy mattress? Ramona residents don't necessarily have to haul large household goods to the transfer station themselves. Your residential service package includes up to two free bulky item pickups per calendar year, with a strict limit of three items per pickup. You must call RDS ahead of time to schedule this curbside service, and items like construction debris, tires, or household hazardous waste are strictly prohibited.
Drop-off Facilities
Ramona Transfer Station & Buyback Center
324 Maple Street, Ramona, CA 92065
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get free mulch in Ramona?
Ramona Disposal Service offers free mulch and wood chips for unincorporated county residential customers at the Ramona Transfer Station located at 324 Maple Street. It is a self-serve, self-loading program available Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring your own bags, shovels, and tarps.
How do I dispose of an old mattress in Ramona?
You can schedule one of your two free annual bulky item curbside pickups by calling RDS at (760) 789-0516. Alternatively, residents can drop off up to 10 wrapped mattresses or box springs for free at the Ramona Transfer Station.
Are plastic bags allowed in the Green organics cart?
No. Plastic bags—even those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'—are strictly prohibited in the Green cart as they disrupt the anaerobic digestion process. You should place food scraps in loosely or wrap them in paper bags or newspaper.
Does Ramona Disposal Service delay trash pickup for holidays?
Yes, but only for six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If the holiday falls on a weekday, service is pushed back one day for the rest of the week.