Gray Bin (Trash)
All trash must be contained within the gray cart with the lid completely closed. Place carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with at least three feet of space between each container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Treated or lead-based painted wood
- ✓Cacti and succulents
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
- ✓Plastic bags (if used to bag regular trash)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose inside the blue cart. Do not bag your recyclables, and ensure all containers are empty of liquids to prevent contaminating paper products.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (no lids)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (plastics #1-#7)
- ✓Junk mail and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Styrofoam (foam packing peanuts)
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Food waste must be placed directly into the green organics barrel either loose or wrapped in newspaper/paper bags. Plastic bags (even 'compostable' ones) are strictly prohibited because they ruin the anaerobic digester process.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and brush
- ✓Tree branches and pruning waste
- ✓All food waste (meat, bones, dairy, bread, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (100% plant-fiber based, no wax or plastic lining)
- ✓Unflocked Christmas trees (cut into pieces)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Year-round upon request
Placement
You must call EDCO at (310) 540-2977 to arrange a specific pickup date. Place items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day, never earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
There is no fee for standard residential bulky item or e-waste pickups as long as they are scheduled properly and do not contain prohibited construction or hazardous materials.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your collection day falls on or after an observed holiday during the week, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services follow the exact same one-day holiday delay as standard trash collection.
If an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no disruption to your regular weekday collection schedule. Minor holidays like MLK Day and Presidents' Day do not affect pickup.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No 'Compostable' Plastics in the Green Cart
Never use plastic bags for your food scraps, even if they are labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'. These materials contaminate EDCO's anaerobic digesters. Stick to plain paper bags or collect your scraps loosely.
Proper Spacing is Crucial
EDCO uses automated collection trucks. You must leave a minimum of three feet between your gray, blue, and green carts, as well as clearance from cars and mailboxes, so the mechanical arm can safely lift the bins without knocking them over.
Keep E-Waste Out of the Gray Bin
Do not throw old electronics, batteries, or fluorescent bulbs in your gray trash cart. These are hazardous materials. Instead, utilize EDCO's free year-round curbside e-waste pickup by calling to schedule an appointment.
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
December - JanuaryBetween December 26th and January 12th, you may place extra household trash in bags or personal cans next to your gray cart for free collection.
Year-Round
OngoingThe City and EDCO periodically host free community paper shredding, e-waste collection, and compost giveaway events. Check the city calendar for upcoming dates.
About Rancho Palos Verdes Waste Management
Strict Cart Placement Ordinance
To preserve the scenic coastal beauty of Rancho Palos Verdes, the city enforces strict rules on trash cart visibility. A 2014 ordinance mandates that residents cannot place their trash, recycling, or green waste carts at the curb earlier than 4:00 p.m. on the day before collection. Additionally, all empty carts must be removed from the curb by 10:00 p.m. on collection day and stored where they are substantially screened from public view.
Expanded Organics Program with Free Carts
In compliance with California’s SB 1383, all Rancho Palos Verdes residents must separate food scraps into their green yard waste barrel. To encourage participation, EDCO allows residents to order a free kitchen caddie for easy indoor sorting. Furthermore, residents are entitled to up to three green organics carts and unlimited blue recycling carts at no additional monthly charge, giving you plenty of space to recycle right.
Two Distinct Hauler Service Areas
While EDCO handles waste collection for 95% of Rancho Palos Verdes households, homes located in the unique geological zones of the Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) and Portuguese Bend landslide areas are serviced by a different hauler. If you reside in these specific southern coastal areas, Universal Waste Systems (UWS) is your designated provider and can be reached at (800) 631-7016.
Generous Post-Holiday Cleanup Period
The city recognizes that the holidays generate a massive amount of excess packaging and waste. From December 26th through January 12th, Rancho Palos Verdes provides a free extra holiday trash collection period. During these two and a half weeks, residents are permitted to place extra bagged trash or additional personal waste cans next to their standard gray carts without incurring overage fees.
Drop-off Facilities
S.A.F.E. Collection Center (San Pedro)
1400 N. Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Materials Accepted
EDCO Recycling and Transfer Environmental Collection Center
2755 California Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When am I allowed to put my trash bins out on the curb in Rancho Palos Verdes?
According to city municipal code, carts cannot be placed at the curb earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection. Furthermore, empty carts must be removed from the curb by 10:00 p.m. on your collection day and hidden from public view.
Who provides my trash pickup in the Portuguese Bend area?
While EDCO services 95% of Rancho Palos Verdes, Universal Waste Systems (UWS) provides trash collection for the Portuguese Bend landslide and Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) areas. You can reach UWS at (800) 631-7016.
How many recycling and green waste carts am I allowed to have?
Residents can receive unlimited blue recycling carts for free and up to three free green organics carts from EDCO. If you need more than three green carts, or an extra gray trash cart, an additional monthly fee will apply.
Can I use compostable plastic bags for my food waste in the green cart?
No. Plastic bags of any kind, including those labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable', are strictly prohibited because they jam EDCO's anaerobic digestion facility. Food waste must be loose or wrapped in plain paper bags.