Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rancho Santa Margarita
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard and organic waste is collected weekly in the green organics cart on your scheduled pickup day.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Waste and recycling collection is managed under contract by CR&R Environmental Services, which bills residents directly and provides four free bulky item pickups per calendar year.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% senior discount is available for single-family residential customers aged 65 and older who pay CR&R directly. Complimentary cart walkout service is also offered for qualifying disabled residents.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Your Guide to Rancho Santa Margarita Trash & Recycling
Managing your household waste in Rancho Santa Margarita is simple once you know the local rules. The city partners with CR&R Environmental Services to provide comprehensive trash, recycling, and organic waste collection for all residents. To ensure your neighborhood stays clean and beautiful, it is essential to follow the proper sorting guidelines and understand the weekly pickup schedule. Services occur on a designated collection day for each neighborhood, keeping the community orderly and hygienic.
Understanding the Three-Cart System
Rancho Santa Margarita utilizes a streamlined three-cart system to help residents sort their waste efficiently. The black container is dedicated to standard landfill trash, such as wrappers, non-recyclable plastics, and pet waste. The blue or brown container is reserved for recyclables like clean cardboard, unsoiled paper, glass bottles, and rigid plastics. Finally, the green-lidded organics cart is for yard trimmings and kitchen food scraps, helping the city comply with California's SB 1383 mandate to keep organic waste out of local landfills.
Curbside Placement Rules and Tips
To guarantee your bins are serviced without a hitch, roll your carts out to the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your designated collection morning. Place the containers side-by-side with at least one foot of space between them, and maintain a three-foot clearance from vehicles, mailboxes, and fire hydrants. The wheels and handles should face your home. Keep in mind that bins must be brought back in from the curb within 12 hours after the collection truck has emptied them.
Organics and Food Waste Recycling
In Rancho Santa Margarita, recycling your food scraps is mandatory and easy. You can throw fruit peels, meat bones, vegetable scraps, and coffee filters directly into your green organics cart alongside your grass clippings and leaves. To minimize odors, a pro tip is to layer your yard waste and food scraps, placing dry yard trimmings at the bottom of the bin first to absorb any liquids. Never put plastic bags or pet waste in this green cart.
Bulky Item and E-Waste Disposal
Got an old couch or broken refrigerator? Rancho Santa Margarita residents get four free bulky item pickups every year. Each pickup allows for up to four large items or 20 bags of excess yard waste. Additionally, residential customers can schedule free electronic waste (e-waste) collection for old TVs, computers, and batteries. Simply call CR&R Customer Service to schedule a special pickup so these materials can be disposed of safely and environmentally.
Holiday Schedule Delays and Senior Discounts
Waste collection holidays in Rancho Santa Margarita include major dates like New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your regular trash day falls on or after a major holiday during the week, service will typically be delayed by one day. Also, a fantastic local perk: residents over the age of 65 who pay their bills directly to CR&R can apply for a 10% senior discount by contacting customer support.
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.