Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Gate
Trash Day
Varies by neighborhood zone
Recycling
Varies by neighborhood zone
Yard Waste
Varies by neighborhood zone
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are contracted through Universal Waste Systems (UWS). Single-family residents receive up to 10 free bulky item pickups per month upon request.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In Person
Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
All non-recyclable, non-hazardous, and non-organic household waste must be placed inside this cart with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Broken glass
- ✓Chip bags and wrappers
- ✓Paper towels
- ✓Styrofoam and packaging
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Toys and textiles (if not donated)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, dry, empty, and placed loosely in the bin. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- ✓Plastic containers labeled #1 through #7
- ✓Newspapers and white ledger paper
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Magazines
- ✓Colored and construction paper
- ✓Cereal boxes (plastic liner removed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Green waste and yard clippings
- ✕Plastic bags and plastic wrap
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Polystyrene
Yard Waste Bin
Designed for SB 1383 mandatory organics recycling. Never place conventional plastic bags, pet waste, or treated lumber in this bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Yard and lawn trimmings
- ✓Food waste (fruits, vegetables, meats, bones, dairy)
- ✓Food-soiled paper and paper bags
- ✓Compostable or clear plastic bags (only if certified)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 10 items per month free for residential/multifamily units
Placement
Place items on the sidewalk or parkway of your property by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection date. Do not place items in the public right-of-way without scheduling a pickup first.
Accepted
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Sofas
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Bed frames
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Lawn furniture
- ✓ E-waste (Computers, televisions, printers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Bed-frame parts
- ✕ Futons
- ✕ Couch beds
- ✕ Mattress pads and toppers
- ✕ Water beds
- ✕ Air mattresses
- ✕ Items with bed bugs
- ✕ Excessively wet, damaged, or soiled items
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, motor oil)
Free for the first 10 items per month. A fee applies for the 11th item and beyond. Call (562) 334-3660 to schedule.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collections will shift to the next day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Monday routes picked up on Tuesday). If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no delay.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and organic collections follow the exact same holiday shift schedule as regular trash.
UWS standard operating collection days are Monday through Saturday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilTake advantage of the Annual Earth Day Community Cleanup event hosted by South Gate every April. The city frequently offers free mulch and compost giveaways, paper shredding services, and additional bulky item drop-offs at South Gate Park.
Autumn
October - NovemberManage autumn leaf fall by placing all leaves directly into your green organics cart. Ensure any branches or limbs are trimmed down so the lid of the cart can close entirely to comply with UWS collection rules.
Winter
December - JanuaryFollowing the winter holidays, properly dispose of your natural Christmas tree. UWS typically provides a window for curbside collection of bare, un-flocked trees (with all lights, tinsel, and stands removed) directly alongside your green bin.
Local Tips & Community Info
Your Guide to South Gate Trash and Recycling Services
Keeping our neighborhoods clean is a community effort, and navigating the local waste management system is the first step. In the City of South Gate, residential and commercial refuse, recycling, and green waste collection services are primarily managed by Universal Waste Systems (UWS). Whether you are a new resident or a long-time homeowner, understanding the local guidelines ensures that your household remains compliant with state regulations, including California law SB 1383, which mandates organic waste recycling. Keeping track of your scheduled days and proper sorting techniques helps reduce landfill waste and protects our local environment.
Understanding the Local Collection Schedule
Trash and recycling collection in South Gate takes place on designated weekdays, depending on your specific neighborhood zone. To keep the streets clear and safe, it is important to know exactly when the trucks arrive in your area. Residents should ensure that all carts are rolled out to the curb by 6:00 AM on their scheduled collection day. If you are unsure of your specific zone, you can verify your pickup day by checking the collection map on the city's official government website or by reaching out to Universal Waste Systems customer support directly.
Proper Bin Placement and Curbside Guidelines
To guarantee a smooth and efficient pickup, residents must follow specific bin placement rules. Always place your trash, recycling, and yard waste carts at the edge of the curb with the handles facing toward your home and the lid opening facing the street. Maintain a minimum distance of three feet between each bin and ensure they are placed away from parked cars, fire hydrants, mailboxes, and utility poles. Lids must be completely closed to prevent litter from blowing into South Gate streets. Once collection is complete, carts should be removed from the curb and securely stored out of public view by the end of the day.
Recycling and Green Waste Disposal Requirements
South Gate takes environmental sustainability seriously, requiring all properties to participate in the sorting of recyclable and compostable materials. Your blue recycling bin is designated for items like clean cardboard, paper products, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. Your green cart is meant strictly for yard trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, and organic waste. It is crucial to keep contaminants out of these containers. Items like plastic bags, hazardous chemicals, electronics, and styrofoam must never be thrown into the recycling or green waste bins, as they can ruin the entire batch of recyclable materials.
Scheduling Bulky Item Pickup in South Gate
Disposing of large, heavy items does not have to be a hassle. South Gate residents are eligible for bulky item collection services to easily discard oversized goods such as old furniture, mattresses, broken appliances, and large branches. Instead of illegally dumping these items in alleys or leaving them on the sidewalk for weeks, you must contact Universal Waste Systems at 562-334-3660 to request a scheduled pickup. Be sure to call at least a few days in advance of your regular collection day so the hauling trucks can be dispatched to your address.
Holiday Service Delays and Missed Pickups
During major national holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, your regular trash collection schedule may experience a one-day delay. If your standard pickup day falls on or after a major holiday during the workweek, your waste will be collected the following day, with Friday pickups pushed to Saturday. If you experience a missed pickup on a regular service day despite following all placement guidelines, report the issue promptly. You can resolve missed collections or request replacement carts by calling the UWS local customer service hotline.
Drop-off Facilities
South Gate Transfer Station
East of I-710 at the Firestone Boulevard exit, South Gate, CA 90280
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many free bulky item pickups can South Gate residents schedule?
South Gate residential and multifamily tenants can schedule up to 10 free bulky items per month. Any items collected beyond the 10th item in a single month will incur a fee from Universal Waste Systems (UWS).
Does South Gate require food waste to be separated?
Yes. To comply with California's SB 1383, all residents must place food scraps (including meat, dairy, and bones) and food-soiled paper into the green organics cart rather than the black trash bin.
What should I do if my trash pickup day falls on a holiday?
If your regular collection day lands on an observed holiday like Thanksgiving or Labor Day, your service will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Monday routes are picked up on Tuesday). If the holiday falls on a weekend, your schedule will not change.
Can I put pet waste in the green organics bin?
No. Although pet waste is organic matter, it contains dangerous pathogens that contaminate the commercial composting process. It must always be bagged and placed directly into the gray or black trash cart.