Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Fernando
Trash Day
Trash collection is scheduled weekly Monday through Friday, depending on your street and zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Organics and yard waste are collected weekly on your regular collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are provided through an exclusive franchise with Republic Services, while city water and sewer utilities are managed separately by the City Finance Department.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The City offers a Low Income Rate Assistance Program providing utility bill discounts for qualifying households enrolled in CARE.
Black Bin (Trash)
Set out by 6:30 AM on your collection day; place at the street side of the sidewalk, in the parkway, or in the driveway next to the street — never in the gutter or roadway.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Broken household items
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Pet waste
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place recycling out at 6:30 AM on collection day, not the night before, to help the city's Code Enforcement Division deter cart scavenging.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Clothing/textiles
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Collected in the green organics cart as part of the city's SB 1383 mandatory organics recycling program; excess yard waste can also be dropped off at the quarterly Civic Center collection events.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
6 requests per year per household
Placement
Schedule with Republic Services by phone at (800) 299-4898 or email [email protected], then place items at the curb on the scheduled date.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses, bed frames, box springs)
- ✓ Doors
- ✓ Carpet
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerators, etc.)
- ✓ Electronics
- ✓ Used books (donated to local libraries)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, rock, concrete
- ✕ Automobile parts
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Household or auto batteries
- ✕ Oils
- ✕ Paints
- ✕ Fluorescent lights
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Medicine
- ✕ Hazardous waste
The six annual bulky item requests are included in standard residential service; the city also runs free quarterly bulky item, e-waste, and compost drop-off events at the Civic Center lot (First & Maclay) with proof of residency required.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services does not collect trash, recycling, or organics on any of the seven observed holidays listed above.
Yard Waste Exception
No separate yard waste exception is published; organics/green cart service follows the same holiday closures as trash and recycling.
The city does not publish a universal 'delayed by one day' rule on its own site — residents should confirm delay schedules directly with Republic Services at (800) 299-4898 for the specific week of an observed holiday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer Heat
June–SeptemberSan Fernando Valley summers regularly push past 100°F, and the city opens designated cooling centers at Recreation Park and Las Palmas Park during heat alerts. Trash left out too long in this heat can attract pests faster, so residents are encouraged to bag food waste tightly and use the green organics cart rather than letting scraps sit in the black cart.
Fire Season Yard Cleanup
May–NovemberWith dry brush a wildfire concern across the San Fernando Valley, the city's spring and fall quarterly drop-off events (typically May and November) give residents an outlet for excess yard trimmings and dead vegetation beyond what fits in a weekly green cart.
Holiday Slowdowns
November–JanuaryCollection is skipped entirely on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, so routes shift later in the week during these stretches — residents with a holiday-week service day should expect a one-day delay rather than a same-day pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
San Fernando Residential Waste Solutions
Known affectionately as The Mission City, San Fernando takes great pride in maintaining clean, vibrant neighborhoods. To achieve this, the local municipal government partners exclusively with Republic Services to handle all residential and commercial solid waste collection. Keeping our historic streets free of litter requires active participation from every household. By mastering the local sorting rules and adhering to standard container guidelines, you directly support local environmental goals and keep our community looking its absolute best.
The Three-Cart Sorting Mandate
San Fernando utilizes a standardized three-container system to ensure compliance with California's aggressive landfill diversion targets. Your black cart is meant strictly for standard, non-recyclable household garbage. The blue container is dedicated to loose recyclables like glass bottles, flattened cardboard, and clean plastics. Finally, the green container is reserved for all organic materials. Under state law SB 1383, this means every scrap of food waste, including meat, dairy, and bones, must be placed in the green bin alongside your yard clippings.
Curbside Placement and Timing Requirements
To guarantee your bins are emptied efficiently, Republic Services requires that all containers be wheeled out to the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection morning. Proper spacing is just as critical as timing. Always leave a minimum of two to three feet of clearance between each cart, ensuring they do not block driveways, mailboxes, or fire hydrants. Once the automated trucks have serviced your street, local ordinances require you to return the bins to your property by the end of the day.
Free Bulky Item Collection Events
Replacing a mattress or tossing out a broken couch does not mean you have to rent a truck or make a trip to the dump. Single-family households in San Fernando can take advantage of complimentary bulky item pickups provided by Republic Services. These special collections are designed for oversized household goods that simply will not fit into your black trash cart. However, you must schedule this service ahead of time by calling their local customer service center, as drivers cannot collect large unregistered items.
Safe Disposal of Hazardous Household Materials
Certain items pose severe risks to sanitation workers and the environment, meaning they can never be tossed into your curbside bins. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) such as wet paint, motor oil, pool chemicals, and lithium batteries must be kept completely separate from the general waste stream. San Fernando residents are encouraged to safely dispose of these toxic materials by taking them to one of the designated Los Angeles County SAFE Centers, which specialize in handling dangerous residential chemicals.
Navigating Holiday Schedule Changes
While trash collection runs like clockwork most of the year, major federal holidays will slightly alter the routine. Republic Services observes key holidays such as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these holidays lands on a weekday, all neighborhood collections for the remainder of that week will be pushed back by exactly one calendar day. Regular scheduling automatically resets the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
San Fernando Civic Center Quarterly Drop-Off Event
Civic Center Parking Lot, First Street & Maclay Avenue, San Fernando, CA 91340
Materials Accepted
S.A.F.E. Collection Center (LA County Household Hazardous Waste)
See LA County SAFE Collection Centers list for the nearest location
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company is responsible for garbage pickup in San Fernando?
The City of San Fernando contracts with Republic Services to manage all residential solid waste, recycling, and organic compost collection.
Where should I put my food scraps?
In accordance with state law, all food waste such as vegetable peelings, meat, and dairy must be placed directly into your green organics cart along with yard debris.
How do I throw away large furniture in San Fernando?
Residents can easily dispose of large furniture or appliances by calling Republic Services in advance to schedule a free curbside bulky item pickup.