Black Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb side-by-side, one foot apart, and at least 3 feet from vehicles or fire hydrants by 6:30 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Palm fronds [2.2.1]
- ✓Bagged pet waste and diapers
- ✓Styrofoam and foam packaging
- ✓Broken ceramics and Pyrex
Blue or Brown Bin (Recycling)
Ensure all recyclable containers are empty, clean, and dry. Do not place recyclables inside plastic bags; keep them completely loose in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard [2.4.1]
- ✓Mixed paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film [2.2.2]
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Electronic items
- ✕Styrofoam and window glass
Yard Waste Bin
Do not include palm fronds, pet waste, or plastic bags. Yard waste should ideally be layered with food scraps to absorb liquids.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds [2.4.2]
- ✓Small branches and prunings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables, fruit)
- ✓Uncoated food-soiled paper
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) free bulky item pickups per calendar year for residential customers.
Placement
Items must be manageable by a two-person crew. Do not place items at the curb until you have scheduled and confirmed your pickup date with CR&R.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, desks, chairs, tables) [2.4.1]
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Excess green waste
- ✓ Large household appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Electronic waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals) [2.4.1]
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Medical sharps
If you exceed your four free annual pickups, additional collections can be arranged for a nominal charge. E-waste is collected at no additional cost.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, collection for the remainder of the week will be postponed by one day (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
No exceptions. The green organics cart follows the exact same delayed holiday schedule as regular trash and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no delay to the weekday pickup schedule. Always place your carts curbside by 6:30 A.M. on the adjusted service day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Palm Fronds Out of the Green Cart
While they are technically plants, palm fronds are extremely fibrous and cannot be broken down efficiently at CR&R's commercial composting facilities [2.4.2]. In Rancho Santa Margarita, palm fronds must always be thrown in your black landfill cart.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Bagging your recyclables in plastic ruins the sorting process at the material recovery facility. Plastic bags can wrap around the gears of the processing machinery. Always leave your cardboard, cans, and plastics completely loose inside your blue cart.
Layer Your Food Scraps
To keep your green organics cart clean and reduce odors during hot Orange County summers, try layering your wet kitchen food scraps between dry yard trimmings like leaves and grass clippings to absorb excess moisture.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryCR&R provides a special two-week curbside Christmas tree collection program immediately following the holiday season [2.2.3]. Remove all ornaments, lights, and stands, and ensure trees over six feet tall are cut in half before placing them at the curb.
Year-Round
January - DecemberHead of household residents aged 65 or older who directly pay their CR&R bill can call customer service to apply for a 10% senior discount on their residential waste services.
Fall/Winter
October - MarchDuring periods of high winds or rainy weather in the foothills, make sure your cart lids are completely closed so lightweight recyclables and trash don't blow into the streets and local storm drains.
About Rancho Santa Margarita Waste Management
Rancho Santa Margarita's Exclusive Waste Franchise
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita operates its residential and commercial waste services through an exclusive franchise agreement with CR&R Environmental Services [1.1.2]. Single-family homes receive a three-cart automated collection system featuring color-coded bins—black for landfill waste, blue (or brown) for mixed recyclables, and green for organic matter. This setup ensures that South Orange County neighborhoods comply with strict state diversion laws while maintaining consistent weekly service.
Navigating SB 1383 Organics Collection
To meet California's SB 1383 mandates, Rancho Santa Margarita residents must separate all organic waste into their green carts. This includes not just yard trimmings like grass and leaves, but all kitchen food scraps—such as meat, bones, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and uncoated food-soiled paper. Sending these organics to CR&R's specialized composting facilities significantly reduces methane emissions at local Orange County landfills.
Generous Bulky Item & E-Waste Program
Clearing out a garage or replacing old furniture is highly convenient for Rancho Santa Margarita residents. CR&R provides each single-family home with four free bulky item pickup appointments every calendar year, allowing up to four large items (or 20 bags of green waste) per collection. Furthermore, electronic waste (e-waste) such as televisions and computers is collected for free without counting toward your standard bulky item limits, keeping harmful heavy metals out of the landfill.
Safe Medical Sharps Disposal at City Hall
Because medical sharps, needles, and lancets are illegal to throw in standard trash or recycling carts due to the extreme puncture risks they pose to CR&R facility workers, Rancho Santa Margarita offers a unique solution. Residents can pick up free Universal Waste Sharps Mail-back Box Kits directly from City Hall during regular business hours, providing a safe and fully compliant method for disposing of medical waste.
Drop-off Facilities
Prima Deshecha Landfill
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Materials Accepted
San Juan Capistrano Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I safely dispose of used medical needles in Rancho Santa Margarita?
It is illegal to throw medical sharps in your regular trash. Rancho Santa Margarita residents can pick up a free Universal Waste Sharps Mail-back Box Kit directly from City Hall (Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.) to safely dispose of needles, syringes, and injector pens.
Does Rancho Santa Margarita offer a trash discount for seniors?
Yes. Single-family residential customers where the head of the household is 65 years of age or older are eligible for a 10% Senior Discount. You must contact CR&R Customer Service directly to verify eligibility and apply the discount.
Can I put palm fronds in my green yard waste cart?
No. Palm fronds are highly fibrous and interfere with the commercial composting equipment. They cannot be processed as green waste and must be disposed of in your black landfill cart.
What should I do if my CR&R trash cart breaks or goes missing?
If your black, blue, or green cart is cracked, missing a wheel, or stolen, you can contact CR&R Customer Service at (877) 728-0446 to request a repair or replacement container.