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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
Never bag your recyclables. Plastic grocery bags and trash bags tangle up the mechanical gears at the UWS recycling facility. Keep all paper, cans, and bottles loose.
Rinse Your Containers
A quick rinse can save a whole batch of recycling. Food residue left in glass jars or plastic tubs can seep into paper and cardboard, rendering them unrecyclable.
Pet Waste Is Not Yard Waste
Even though dog and cat waste is technically organic, it carries pathogens that contaminate commercial composting systems. Always double-bag pet waste and place it in your gray or black trash cart.
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.
About South Gate Waste Management
South Gate Residential Waste Management Overview
Managing residential waste in South Gate, California is a straightforward process when you know the local regulations. The city has partnered with Universal Waste Systems (UWS) to handle all curbside collection services, ensuring that household garbage, recyclables, and organic materials are efficiently processed. With strict adherence to state mandates like SB 1383, South Gate has modernized its approach, empowering residents to reduce their environmental footprint through proper sorting practices.
Understanding the Three-Cart System
South Gate utilizes a standardized three-color bin system to maximize waste diversion from local landfills. The black or gray cart is designated for non-recyclable refuse such as styrofoam, pet waste, and food wrappers. Meanwhile, the blue cart accepts clean paper, cardboard, plastics (#1-7), and glass. It is crucial to keep items loose in the blue bin, as plastic bags can jam the sorting machinery. Lastly, the green cart captures both yard trimmings and food scraps, directly supporting California's organic waste recycling targets.
Navigating South Gate's Bulky Item Pickup Program
Disposing of large items like old sofas, mattresses, or appliances is incredibly convenient for South Gate residents. Through UWS, residential and multifamily households can schedule the removal of up to 10 bulky items per month absolutely free of charge. Simply contact UWS customer service at (562) 334-3660 to book a collection date, and set your items out on the parkway. Remember that certain items like futons, bed-frame parts, or severely damaged goods may be rejected, so carefully confirm your items when scheduling.
Proper Disposal of Hazardous and Electronic Waste
E-waste and household hazardous waste (HHW) should never be tossed into your standard curbside bins. E-waste, including old computers, printers, and televisions, can be scheduled for pick-up alongside your bulky items directly through UWS. However, dangerous materials such as motor oil, paint, and chemical solvents require special handling. South Gate residents can utilize regional Los Angeles County HHW collection events or contact the CLEAN LA hotline to find the nearest permanent drop-off facility, keeping toxic substances out of our soil and waterways.
Tips for Reducing Contamination in Your Bins
Contamination happens when the wrong materials end up in the recycling or organic carts, which can ruin entire loads of recoverable materials. In South Gate, common mistakes include tossing food-soiled pizza boxes into the blue bin instead of the green cart, or bagging recyclables in plastic. Taking a few seconds to rinse out a peanut butter jar or separate a plastic film from a cardboard box ensures that Universal Waste Systems can effectively process and recycle your community's waste.
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.