Black Bin (Trash)
Place bins curbside by 6:00 A.M. on service day. Do not include e-waste, construction debris, auto parts, or bulky items.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All containers must be empty of liquids and food. Cardboard must be broken down and placed loosely in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and dry paper
- ✓Broken down cardboard
- ✓Clean pizza boxes
- ✓Beverage and detergent jugs
- ✓Soda, juice, and water bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Frozen food boxes
- ✕Soup, milk, and juice cartons
- ✕E-waste
- ✕Bulky items
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Required by State Senate Bill 1383. No petroleum-based plastics, wax, or bio-plastic coated materials.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and branches
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓100% plant-fiber based food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand, requires advanced scheduling
Placement
Place items at the curb only after confirming a scheduled pickup date to avoid illegal dumping fines in unincorporated LA County.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ E-waste (computers, TVs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Dirt
- ✕ Concrete
Basic franchise service typically includes a set number of bulky item collections; verify your specific property's annual limits when calling Athens Services.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. If it falls on a weekend, there is no delay.
Yard Waste Exception
No exceptions. Green organics are collected on the same delayed schedule as regular trash and recycling.
Holidays create a cascading one-day delay. Place your bins curbside the night before or by 6:00 A.M. on the adjusted service day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Beware of Wish-Cycling Cartons
While milk and juice cartons or frozen food boxes seem like standard paper products, Athens Services currently lists them as items that may not be recycled. It is safer to keep them out of your blue cart to prevent contaminating viable recyclables.
Plant-Fiber Only for Soiled Paper
If you are tossing food-soiled paper into your green organics bin, ensure it is 100% plant-fiber based. Paper with petroleum-based plastic, wax liners, or bio-plastic coatings will contaminate the compost.
No E-Waste in the Black Bin
Circuit boards, cords, and old phones are treated as hazardous waste in LA County. Never hide these in your trash cart; instead, hold onto them for the biannual Rowland Heights e-waste event or schedule a bulk pickup.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryFrom late December through mid-January, Athens Services collects bare holiday trees curbside on your normal service day. Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half, and flocked trees are strictly prohibited.
Fall/Winter
September - FebruaryDuring Southern California's notorious Santa Ana wind events, make sure your cart lids are completely closed and securely placed at the curb so debris doesn't blow across the San Gabriel Valley.
Spring
March - MayKeep an eye out for LA County and Athens Services' free mulch and compost giveaway events typically held in the spring. It is a great way to reap the rewards of the organic waste you've been recycling all year.
About Rowland Heights Waste Management
Rowland Heights Trash and Organics Collection via LA County Franchise
For residents living in the unincorporated community of Rowland Heights, solid waste and recycling services are managed through a franchise agreement with Los Angeles County Public Works. Athens Services serves as the exclusive waste hauler for single-family homes and multi-family units in this area. Through this partnership, households receive bundled weekly pickup for household refuse, comingled recyclables, and green organics to help the community comply with modern California waste regulations.
Complying with California's SB 1383 in Your Green Cart
California State Senate Bill 1383 requires all Rowland Heights residents to subscribe to organics collection and actively separate food scraps from landfill waste. Athens Services handles this diversion by transporting your green cart contents to their specialized organics facilities, where yard trimmings and food-soiled paper are transformed into nutrient-rich compost. Proper separation at home directly reduces methane emissions from local Southern California landfills.
Handling E-Waste and Bulky Items Safely
Because electronics and bulky furniture are strictly banned from standard curbside carts, Rowland Heights offers convenient alternatives. Residents can schedule direct bulky item pick-ups through Athens Services by calling their hotline or requesting a pickup online. Additionally, in partnership with Los Angeles County, Athens hosts two free e-waste collection events locally each year, ensuring your old computers, monitors, and batteries are processed safely without risking hazardous leaks into the Puente Hills ecosystem.
Navigating the One-Day Holiday Delay System
Rowland Heights follows a straightforward holiday schedule, observing six major holidays including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving. When one of these designated holidays falls on a weekday, all subsequent collections for that week shift back by exactly one day. However, if the holiday happens to land on a Saturday or Sunday, Athens Services maintains the regular residential schedule with no delays. Always ensure your bins are placed out by 6:00 A.M. on your adjusted pickup day.
Drop-off Facilities
Irwindale Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) - Athens Services
2200 Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA 91706
Materials Accepted
Grand Central Recycling & Transfer Station
999 S Hatcher Ave, City of Industry, CA 91748
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rowland Heights have its own municipal trash service?
No. Because Rowland Heights is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, its residential waste services are franchised by LA County Public Works and are currently contracted exclusively to Athens Services.
Can I put milk cartons and cereal boxes in my blue recycling bin?
According to Athens Services' current processing guidelines, while these are technically acceptable paper products, items like cereal boxes, frozen food boxes, and soup/milk cartons may not currently be recycled locally. It is recommended to minimize wish-cycling these coated items.
How do I get rid of an old TV or computer in Rowland Heights?
You cannot put electronic waste in your regular curbside carts. Instead, you can schedule a bulky item pickup with Athens Services or take advantage of the twice-a-year LA County e-waste collection events held specifically for local residents.
What should I do with my holiday tree?
Athens Services collects holiday trees curbside typically between December 26 and mid-January. Simply remove all ornaments, lights, stands, and tinsel. If the tree is over six feet tall, it must be cut in half. Flocked or fire-retardant trees are treated as trash and will not be recycled.