Gray Bin (Trash)
All waste must be securely bagged to prevent litter and fit inside the gray cart with the lid completely closed. Residents can request additional gray carts for an extra monthly fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household trash
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Styrofoam packing materials
- ✓Treated or painted lumber
- ✓Plastic bags and film
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All containers must be empty, clean, and dry. Place recyclables loosely directly into the blue cart. Never bag your recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (#1-#7)
- ✓CRV beverage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and shrink wrap
- ✕Food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers like hoses or electrical cords
- ✕Liquids and food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use any type of plastic bag (including certified compostable or biodegradable bags). Organic materials must be placed loosely in the green cart, though plain paper bags are acceptable.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, fruits, veggies)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, coffee filters)
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Small branches, palm fronds, and tree roots
- ✓Untreated, non-hazardous wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free drop-off coupons annually; curbside pickup is available on-demand for an extra fee.
Placement
For scheduled, fee-based curbside pickups, place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture (couches, desks, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Excess yard waste or bundled wood
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (chemicals, paint, oil)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
Curbside bulky item pickup by EDCO is NOT free and requires an additional fee. To avoid fees, utilize your two annual free drop-off coupons at the Escondido Transfer Station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all curbside collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday customers are serviced on Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no delay to the standard weekday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Strict Ban on 'Compostable' Plastics
Even if a plastic bag or utensil is heavily marketed as 'certified compostable' or 'biodegradable,' EDCO strictly prohibits them in the green organics cart. These bio-plastics contaminate the Anaerobic Digestion facility. Use plain paper bags or leave the material loose.
Flocked Trees Go to the Landfill
While natural Christmas trees and wreaths can be placed in your green organics cart, trees that have been 'flocked' (sprayed with fake chemical snow) cannot be composted. Flocked trees must be chopped up and placed in the gray trash cart.
No Sharps in the Trash
Home-generated medical sharps (needles, syringes, lancets) are illegal to throw in any curbside cart due to the severe danger they pose to sanitation workers. Place them in an approved, rigid container (like a bleach bottle) and drop them off for free at the EDCO Buyback Center.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to JanuaryHoliday tree recycling is provided. Natural, unflocked trees should be cut into manageable sections and placed inside the green organics cart with the lid closed. Remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands prior to disposal.
Year-Round
January to DecemberBe aware that the Vista Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility is closed on all major holiday weekends, including Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving weekends.
About San Marcos Waste Management
Powering Vehicles with Your Food Scraps
In compliance with California's SB 1383 organics mandate, the City of San Marcos and EDCO have revolutionized how organic waste is processed. Instead of sending food scraps to a landfill, residents place all food and yard waste into their green organics cart. This material is then sent to EDCO’s state-of-the-art Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility, where it is naturally broken down and converted into 100% Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). This carbon-negative fuel is used to power EDCO’s own fleet of collection trucks.
Annual Free Transfer Station Coupons
While curbside bulky item pickup by EDCO requires a fee, San Marcos offers a unique alternative. Every year, residential households receive two free coupons that allow them to self-haul and dispose of one bulky waste load at the nearby Escondido Transfer Station at no cost. This is an excellent, budget-friendly option for residents undergoing spring cleaning or minor home renovations who have access to a truck.
Free Door-to-Door HHW Collection for Seniors
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) like paint, pool chemicals, and motor oil can be difficult to transport safely. Recognizing this, the City provides an exceptional service for vulnerable populations. Residents aged 65 and older, as well as households possessing a registered handicap placard, are eligible for free door-to-door HHW collection. Simply call the regional HHW hotline at (800) 714-1195 to schedule an at-home pickup.
Convenient Drop-Offs at EDCO Buyback Center
You don't have to wait for a special city-wide cleanup event to dispose of tricky items. The EDCO Buyback Center, located at 224 S. Las Posas Road, serves as a year-round hub for San Marcos residents. Here, you can drop off electronic waste (e-waste), household batteries, used cooking fats, oils, and grease (FOG), and even home-generated medical sharps (in approved rigid containers) completely free of charge.
Drop-off Facilities
EDCO Buyback Center
224 S. Las Posas Road, San Marcos, CA 92078
Materials Accepted
Vista HHW Collection Facility
1145 East Taylor Street, Vista, CA 92084
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put compostable bags in my green organics cart in San Marcos?
No. EDCO strictly prohibits all plastic bags, including those labeled as 'certified compostable' or 'biodegradable,' from the green organics cart. These bags contaminate the Anaerobic Digestion facility. You may use plain paper bags or place the organic materials loosely in the cart.
How do I get rid of an old couch or refrigerator for free?
While EDCO charges a fee for curbside bulky item pickups, San Marcos residents receive two free coupons annually that allow them to drop off one bulky waste load at the Escondido Transfer Station at no cost. Contact EDCO at (760) 744-2700 for more details.
Does EDCO delay trash pickup for holidays in San Marcos?
Yes. EDCO observes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If the holiday falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and pool chemicals?
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is illegal to put in curbside carts. You can safely drop off these toxic items for free at the Vista HHW Collection Facility located at 1145 East Taylor Street in Vista. It is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except on holiday weekends.