Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Gabriel
Collections in California municipal routes run weekly (Mon-Fri). Your specific collection day is determined by your local neighborhood route.
State Mandate
Follow SB 1383 guidelines for food waste.
Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the container with the lid closed. Avoid placing heavy construction materials or dirt in the bin to prevent equipment damage. Place at the curb the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
- ✓Foam to-go containers
- ✓Bathroom waste
- ✓Ceramics and porcelain
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose, clean, and dry. Never bag your recyclables, and ensure all containers are completely empty of food and liquids before placing them in the blue barrel.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean and dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic containers (#1 through #7)
- ✓Glass jars and bottles (no lids)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Telephone directories and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (wires, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags (even those labeled 'compostable') for your food waste. All items must go directly into the green bin to be transported to the American Organics facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Tree branches, flowers, and hedge trimmings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, bread, fruits, soft seafood shells)
- ✓100% plant-fiber based food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, paper napkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free items per week (Bulky) / 2 free items per year (E-Waste)
Placement
You must contact Athens Services in advance to schedule the pickup. Once confirmed, place the items on the curb the night before your scheduled collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Refrigerators and large appliances
- ✓ Computers, printers, and TVs (E-Waste allowance)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials and chemicals
- ✕ Automotive fluids and oils
- ✕ Vehicle tires and parts
- ✕ Wet paint
If you exceed your allowance of two bulky items per week or two e-waste items per year, you will be charged a fee for the additional items.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), all collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash collection.
If an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no delay in service and your normal weekday pickup remains on schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
December - JanuaryAthens Services will collect unflocked, untreated Christmas trees at the curb and deliver them to their Victorville compost facility. Trees with artificial flocking or fire retardants cannot be composted and must be cut up for the trash.
Year-Round
BiannualKeep an eye on your Athens billing statements or emails for announcements regarding the two free e-waste collection events hosted in San Gabriel each year.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Residential Refuse in the Mission City
For residents of the historic City of San Gabriel, keeping the community clean is a collaborative effort between homeowners and Athens Services, the city's exclusive franchise waste hauler. Every single-family dwelling is equipped with a modern, automated three-cart setup to ensure proper waste diversion. Establishing your residential account or requesting repairs for a cracked container is handled directly by Athens. You can reach their dedicated San Gabriel customer service team at (888) 336-6100. Because billing for these services is typically managed directly by the hauler, it is essential to keep your account current to avoid any interruption in your weekly pickups.
Strict Roll-Out Times and Clearance Rules
To facilitate a smooth collection process, the city requires all receptacles to be placed out at the curb no later than 6:00 AM on your specific collection day. The automated trucks utilized by Athens require ample room to operate safely. Therefore, you must leave at least three feet of space between each cart and keep them far away from parked vehicles, utility poles, and fire hydrants. The handles should be facing your property, with the lid opening toward the street. Once the trucks have passed through your neighborhood, municipal codes mandate that all containers must be removed from the public right-of-way by the end of the day.
Food Waste and Organics Recycling
In accordance with California’s aggressive environmental legislation, San Gabriel strictly enforces the separation of organic materials. Your green container is designed for all yard trimmings, leaves, and, most importantly, household food scraps. Plate scrapings, fruit peels, bones, and coffee grounds must go into the green bin to be properly composted, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions at the landfill. Residents are reminded that standard plastic grocery bags are strictly prohibited in the organics cart; if you choose to bag your kitchen scraps, you must use certified compostable bags or simply wrap the waste in a paper bag.
Scheduling Oversized Item Removals
If you are upgrading your appliances or clearing out outgrown furniture, you do not need to worry about renting a truck. San Gabriel residents can take advantage of the free bulky item pickup program provided by Athens Services. You are permitted to schedule removals for large, unmanageable items like mattresses, sofas, and refrigerators. However, these collections do not happen automatically; you must contact Athens at least 24 hours prior to your standard trash day to get your address added to the special routing list. Items left on the curb without a confirmed appointment are considered illegal dumping and may result in city fines.
Impact of Holidays on Your Pickup Schedule
Throughout the year, your collection routine will occasionally be modified by major federal holidays. Athens Services halts operations on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If one of these specific holidays falls on a weekday, all neighborhood collections for the remainder of that week are pushed forward by one day. For instance, if the Fourth of July is on a Monday, Monday customers will be serviced on Tuesday, and Friday customers will see their carts emptied on Saturday. Regular schedules always resume at the start of the following week.
Drop-off Facilities
Athens Services Irwindale Office Center
4777 Irwindale Ave, Irwindale, CA 91706
Materials Accepted
S.A.F.E. Collection Center (Los Angeles)
2649 E. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch in San Gabriel?
San Gabriel residents get a very generous allowance of two free bulky item pickups per week through Athens Services. This applies to both single-family homes and apartment tenants. Call (888) 336-6100 to schedule your free pickup.
What should I do if someone illegally dumps furniture on my property?
If an item is dumped on your property, you are responsible for it and may receive a red tag from Code Enforcement. However, you can simply call Athens Services and use your free weekly bulky pickup allowance to have it removed at no cost.
Can I put meat and bones in my green yard waste bin?
Yes. To comply with state law (SB 1383), all food scraps, including meat, bones, dairy, bread, and produce, must be placed directly into your green organics bin alongside your yard trimmings.
Are pizza boxes recyclable or compostable in San Gabriel?
Clean, unsoiled parts of a pizza box can go in the blue recycling bin. The grease-soiled portions should be placed in the green organics bin, provided the box is 100% plant-fiber based with no plastic or wax lining.