Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Seal Beach
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly in the green waste/organics cart on the same day as trash pickup.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash collection fees are bundled into your bi-monthly City of Seal Beach municipal utility (water) bill.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, In-Person
Black or Dark Gray Bin (Trash)
All regular garbage should be bagged before being placed in the trash cart. Do not pack dirt, rocks, or hot ashes, and ensure the lid can close flat.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and cat litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Chip bags and candy wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken ceramics and glass
- ✓Treated wood
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the blue cart without bagging them. Empty and lightly rinse food containers to prevent pest issues.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers and bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastic utensils and single-use plates
- ✕Clothing and textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags of any kind. Materials must be placed directly into the green cart. BPI-certified compostable bags are typically permitted for containing food waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Weeds and small branches
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, produce)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, coffee filters)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two courtesy bulky pickups (one item each) per calendar year
Placement
Place your scheduled bulky item at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your regular collection day. Ensure the item does not obstruct the sidewalk, bike lanes, or street sweeping vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances (washers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
Single-family residents exceeding the two free items will be charged for additional pickups. Condominium and apartment tenants utilizing communal dumpsters generally must pay a fee for bulky item collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), all collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no change to the schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Green waste, food scraps, and recycling collection follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage.
Leisure World residents utilizing Athens Services should consult their specific property management calendar, as their holiday rules and bulky pickup terms differ from the rest of the city.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryRepublic Services provides free curbside holiday tree collection for roughly two weeks post-Christmas. Trees must be unflocked, undecorated, and cut in half if taller than 6 feet. Alternatively, trees can be dropped off at the public works yard during designated dates.
Rainy Season
November - MarchIf heavy and sustained rainfall occurs, the city will cancel daily street sweeping operations. However, residential trash collection continues rain or shine, so keep your carts out by 7:00 a.m. but ensure lids are closed to keep water weight out.
Local Tips & Community Info
Protecting Our Coastline: Seal Beach Waste Management
Living in a pristine coastal community like Seal Beach means environmental stewardship is a top priority for every resident. The city has partnered with Republic Services to manage all residential refuse, recycling, and organic waste collection. Proper sorting and timely bin placement are not just municipal rules; they are essential practices that prevent loose debris from polluting our beaches and entering the Pacific Ocean. By mastering the local sanitation guidelines, you help preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of our beloved shoreline.
Curbside Placement and Street Sweeping Rules
Republic Services requires that all residential carts be rolled out to the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your specific collection day. Because street sweeping is heavily enforced in Seal Beach to keep coastal storm drains clear, you must be strategic about where you place your bins. Ensure the carts are placed directly against the curb but do not obstruct the path of the street sweeper. Keep a distance of at least three feet between your trash, recycling, and green waste carts, and pull them back onto your property by 8:00 p.m. on the day of service.
Navigating the Three-Cart Sorting System
To meet California's stringent SB 1383 climate goals, Republic Services utilizes a strict three-cart system. The black cart is strictly for non-recyclable household garbage, such as snack wrappers and pet waste. Your blue cart is designed for loose, unbagged recyclables, including glass bottles, cardboard, and rigid plastics. Most importantly, the green cart must be utilized for all organic matter. This includes grass clippings, leaves, and all kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings, meat bones, and coffee grounds. Bagging organics in plastic is strictly forbidden.
Getting Rid of Bulky Furniture and Appliances
Moving out or upgrading your living room furniture? Seal Beach residents are eligible for complimentary bulky item pickups directly through Republic Services. This convenient program allows you to easily dispose of oversized goods such as mattresses, couches, washing machines, and large bundles of branches that exceed standard cart dimensions. You must schedule this service in advance by calling their customer care center, as the collection trucks will not automatically pick up items left sitting next to your bins.
Handling Hazardous Materials Locally
Coastal ecosystems are highly vulnerable to chemical runoff, which is why Seal Beach strictly bans all Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) from regular curbside carts. Items like leftover house paint, motor oil, pool chemicals, lithium batteries, and fluorescent light bulbs must be handled with extreme care. Residents should transport these materials to an authorized Orange County Waste & Recycling HHW collection center, ensuring toxic substances never find their way into our local landfills or ocean waters.
Holiday Schedule Adjustments
Republic Services observes several major national holidays, which can temporarily alter your neighborhood's collection routine. These holidays include New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When a holiday falls on a weekday, all subsequent collections for that week will be delayed by exactly one day. If the holiday lands on a weekend, your standard Monday-through-Friday pickup schedule will remain completely uninterrupted.
Drop-off Facilities
Huntington Beach Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
17121 Nichols Lane, Gate 6, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Which waste management company serves Seal Beach?
Republic Services is the exclusive franchised waste hauler responsible for all residential and commercial trash, recycling, and organics collection in Seal Beach.
What is the deadline to place my trash bins outside?
All waste carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day, making sure they do not block street sweepers.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup for an old mattress?
You can request a free bulky item collection by contacting the Republic Services customer care line at least 24 to 48 hours before your regular service day.