Grey Bin (Trash)
All refuse must fit inside the grey cart with the lid closed. Hazardous waste, construction debris, and e-waste are strictly prohibited from the landfill cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Plastics labeled 'biodegradable' or 'compostable'
- ✓Mylar bags (chips, candy wrappers, balloons)
- ✓Ceramic dishware and glassware
- ✓Clothing, linens, and rags
- ✓Sponges, pens, and rubber bands
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Containers must be empty of all liquid and food residue. Do not bag your recyclables; place items loosely inside the blue cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Cardboard and corrugated fiberboard
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, and #5 (beverage and detergent jugs)
- ✓Aluminum cans, foil, and scrap metal
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Black plastics and foam (Styrofoam)
- ✕Ceramics and window glass
- ✕Garden hoses and tangled items
Yard Waste Bin
Do not include any petroleum-based plastics, bio-plastics, or waxed cardboard. All items must be 100% plant-fiber based. Ensure the cart lid is completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, produce)
- ✓100% fiber-based, uncoated paper to-go containers
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, paper towels)
- ✓Paper egg cartons
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to four bulky or electronic items can be picked up per week for free.
Placement
Place approved items at the curb or next to your trash dumpster by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Do not set items out until you have received confirmation from Athens Services.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, rugs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large and small appliances (refrigerators, washers, TVs)
- ✓ Electronic waste (computers, monitors)
- ✓ Tree branches (bundled and no longer than 4 feet)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt, drywall)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, cleaners)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Liquid waste
This service is completely free for up to four items per week. Special roll-off containers or dumpsters for larger cleanouts or construction debris can be rented from Athens for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, refuse and recycling collection services for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day. Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
The one-day holiday delay applies equally to the grey, blue, and green carts.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no delay in service. Remember to place carts on the curb, not the street, if your delayed collection day coincides with street sweeping.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Palm Fronds Out of the Green Cart
Because they are so tough and stringy, palm fronds do not break down properly in commercial composting facilities and frequently jam machinery. In Redondo Beach, all palm fronds must be placed in your grey landfill trash cart.
Bio-Plastics Belong in the Trash
Do not be fooled by utensils, cups, or bags labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable plant-based plastic.' Athens Services' composting facility cannot process these bio-plastics. They must be thrown into your grey trash cart.
Say No to Plastic Bags in the Blue Cart
Flimsy plastic film, dry cleaning bags, and grocery bags will tangle the sorting gears at the recycling center. Never bag your recyclables, and throw loose plastic film directly into the grey trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December through JanuaryHoliday trees are typically collected curbside for several weeks following Christmas. Trees must be completely stripped of ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands. Flocked trees or trees over 6 feet long must be cut in half.
Year-Round
January through DecemberRedondo Beach residents have access to S.A.F.E. (Solvents / Automotive / Flammables / Electronics) Collection Centers operated by Los Angeles County. These permanent facilities are open on weekends for the safe, free drop-off of household hazardous waste.
About Redondo Beach Waste Management
Redondo Beach's Partnership with Athens Services
The City of Redondo Beach exclusively contracts with Athens Services to manage residential and commercial solid waste. Serving over 50 communities in Southern California, Athens provides Redondo Beach residents with a streamlined three-cart system: a grey cart for landfill waste, a blue cart for recycling, and a green cart for organics. This setup is crucial for helping the city divert valuable materials from local landfills and advance toward a Zero Waste future.
Strict Organics Recycling Guidelines (SB 1383)
In compliance with California's mandatory organics recycling laws (SB 1383), Redondo Beach requires all food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings to be placed in the green curbside cart. Athens Services strictly mandates that all paper products placed in the organics bin—such as pizza boxes and takeout containers—be 100% plant-fiber based. Items with wax, bio-plastic coatings, or petroleum-based liners will contaminate the composting process and must be thrown in the grey trash cart.
Generous Weekly Bulky Item and E-Waste Allowances
Unlike many municipalities that restrict bulky item pickups to a few times a year, Redondo Beach offers exceptional convenience for clearing out household clutter. Single-family and multi-family residents can schedule up to four bulky items or electronic waste pieces for free curbside pickup every single week. From old mattresses and refrigerators to broken televisions, Athens Services will handle the heavy lifting as long as the collection is requested at least two days in advance.
Navigating Carts During Street Sweeping and Holidays
Space on Redondo Beach's coastal streets can be tight, especially when collection schedules shift. Under normal circumstances, carts should be placed in the street with wheels against the curb. However, during observed holiday weeks when your delayed trash collection happens to coincide with your neighborhood's street sweeping day, the City requires you to place your carts up on the curb or parkway, rather than in the street, to ensure the sweepers can effectively clean the gutters.
Drop-off Facilities
S.A.F.E. Collection Center (Gaffey Street)
1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731
Materials Accepted
Redondo Beach Public Works Department
415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do with old TVs and electronics in Redondo Beach?
Electronic waste cannot go in your curbside carts. Redondo Beach residents can schedule a free bulky item and e-waste pickup through Athens Services. You are allowed up to four bulky or electronic items per week. Simply call them at least two days before your regular collection day to schedule.
Are palm fronds considered yard waste?
No. Despite being plant material, palm fronds are exceptionally fibrous and cannot be broken down by Athens Services' commercial composting machinery. They must be placed directly into your grey trash cart.
Can I put 'biodegradable' plastics in my green organics bin?
No. Any plastic item labeled 'biodegradable' or 'compostable plant-based plastic' must go into the grey landfill cart. The green organics cart only accepts 100% plant-fiber based materials.
How do I place my carts on street sweeping days during a holiday week?
If a holiday delays your trash collection to the same day as your neighborhood's street sweeping, you must place your carts up on the curb rather than down in the street. This ensures the street sweepers can pass safely and clean the gutters.