Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Marcos
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your designated collection day.
Yard Waste
Organics and green waste are collected weekly on your designated collection day.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste services are managed and billed directly through EDCO Waste & Recycling Services rather than through municipal city utility billing.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Overview of EDCO Sanitation Services in San Marcos
For residents of San Marcos, all residential and commercial waste hauling is managed by EDCO Disposal Corporation. As the city's exclusive franchised service provider, EDCO delivers dependable weekly collection for household refuse, recyclable materials, and organic waste. Whether you need to establish a brand-new residential account, request a different cart size, or report a damaged bin, you can contact EDCO directly at (760) 744-2700. Additionally, the City's Resource Recovery Division oversees community sustainability programs to ensure local neighborhoods remain clean and environmentally friendly.
Sorting Guidelines: Trash, Recycling, and Organics
In accordance with California’s SB 1383 regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, San Marcos households utilize a mandatory three-cart sorting system. The gray or black cart is strictly reserved for non-recyclable solid waste. The blue cart is dedicated to clean recyclables, such as flattened cardboard boxes, glass containers, and aluminum cans. The green cart is specifically designed for organic materials, which includes yard trimmings, leaves, and all food scraps like fruit peels and meat bones. Correctly separating these materials at the curb is essential to keeping compostable waste out of regional landfills.
Cart Placement and Curbside Rules
To guarantee smooth and efficient collection, EDCO asks that all carts be wheeled out to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day. For the automated mechanical arms on the sanitation trucks to operate safely, carts must be placed side-by-side with at least two to three feet of clearance between each container. Additionally, ensure that your bins are kept well away from parked vehicles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and low-hanging tree branches. Once the trucks have emptied your bins, they must be removed from the public right-of-way in a timely manner.
Annual Bulky Waste Coupons and Transfer Station Access
Disposing of oversized household items in San Marcos is a unique process compared to neighboring municipalities. Rather than standard unlimited curbside pickups, San Marcos residents receive two complimentary disposal coupons annually. These vouchers allow residents to drop off one bulky load of items—such as old furniture, mattresses, or large appliances—at the nearby Escondido Transfer Station completely free of charge. If you lack the means to transport large items yourself, you can also contact EDCO customer service to schedule a specialized curbside bulky item pickup for an additional fee.
Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Toxic and flammable materials such as motor oil, leftover paint, harsh cleaning chemicals, pesticides, and electronic waste must never be tossed into any of your standard curbside carts. These items present significant safety risks to the sanitation drivers and the environment. San Marcos residents can responsibly dispose of household hazardous waste by taking it to designated HHW collection facilities in the North County region. EDCO frequently hosts community drop-off events and provides detailed online resources to help you safely discard these dangerous household chemicals.
Schedule Adjustments and Missed Collections
EDCO observes a select number of major national holidays, which can occasionally alter your neighborhood's normal pickup routine. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all scheduled routes for that day and the remainder of the workweek will be delayed by 24 hours, often extending service into Saturday. If your bins were positioned correctly on the curb before the early morning deadline but were completely bypassed by the collection crew, you should promptly report the missed pickup to EDCO's customer care center for a quick resolution.
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.