Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Pasadena
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected once per week on the same day as regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected once per week on your designated trash collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside solid waste collection is contracted through Athens Services, while municipal water and sewer services are managed and billed via MuniBilling.
Billing Cycle
Bi-monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Black Bin (Trash)
All refuse must be bagged and fit completely inside the container with the lid closed. Set out carts with wheels against the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household refuse
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Containers must be empty of liquids and food residue. Place recyclables loosely in the blue barrel without bagging them.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean pizza boxes
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Paper bags and mail
- ✓Beverage and detergent jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Automotive parts
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Construction and demolition waste
- ✕Fluorescent light bulbs
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Must be separated from trash and recycling. Place completely inside the green barrel for organics processing. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Weeds and prunings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One pickup per quarter (up to 4 times per calendar year)
Placement
Items must be placed on the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pick-up day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Furniture (couches, desks)
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Large household objects
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition waste
- ✕ Electronics/E-waste
- ✕ Automotive parts
This service is free for single-family residential customers. Multifamily unit tenants must coordinate with their property owner or HOA to schedule the service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection of residential rubbish will be delayed by one day following all major observed holidays. If your collection day falls on or after a holiday, your bins will be serviced one day late.
Yard Waste Exception
The blue recycling barrel and green organics barrel follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the black trash barrel.
For the Thanksgiving holiday, both Thursday and Friday are considered delayed collection days.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter/Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryAthens provides holiday tree collection following Christmas. Remove all ornaments, lights, and stands. Trees are repurposed as mulch or cover material at regional facilities.
Fall
October to NovemberDuring Southern California's Santa Ana wind season, ensure your cart lids are firmly shut and place them at least three feet from vehicles so they aren't easily blown over in the street.
Summer
July to SeptemberTo prevent your green organics cart from smelling during hot summer months, freeze your kitchen food scraps in a container during the week and dump them into the green bin the morning of pickup.
Local Tips & Community Info
Sanitation and Waste Collection in South Pasadena
Maintaining the charm of South Pasadena’s historic neighborhoods requires an efficient waste management strategy. The city partners exclusively with Athens Services to collect residential garbage, recyclables, and organic materials. Under this municipal contract, single-family dwellings utilize a standardized three-cart system that helps the community comply with California's aggressive environmental targets. Whether you live near the Arroyo Seco or closer to the bustling Mission Street district, regular weekly pickups keep the streets clean and sanitary.
Curbside Protocol and Cart Positioning
To facilitate quick and safe collections, Athens Services utilizes fully automated routing. You are required to wheel your containers to the curb edge by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Be sure the cart handles face your home, and leave at least two feet of clearance around each bin to give the mechanical lifting arms plenty of room to operate. To maintain the visual appeal of local streetscapes, municipal codes dictate that empty receptacles must be removed from the public right-of-way by 8:00 p.m. on the evening of your pickup.
Organics, Recycling, and Landfill Sorting
South Pasadena actively enforces the SB 1383 organic waste recycling mandates. This means your green cart is not just for yard trimmings—it is also the required destination for all kitchen food scraps, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper products. The blue recycling bin is strictly for clean plastics, glass bottles, aluminum, and unsoiled cardboard boxes. The black container is reserved only for non-recyclable refuse, such as broken ceramics, diapers, and heavily treated wood.
Arranging Oversized Item Pickups
Getting rid of an old couch, broken television, or worn-out mattress is completely hassle-free for local residents. Athens Services provides complimentary bulky item collections for South Pasadena households. Instead of leaving large debris on the parkway, which violates local dumping ordinances, you simply need to call the customer service desk at least 24 hours prior to your normal collection day. A specialized truck will be routed to your address to handle the oversized load.
Holiday Schedule Impacts
During the year, route schedules undergo minor adjustments for six recognized holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your standard trash day falls on or after one of these holidays, your bins will be emptied one day later than usual for that particular week. Normal operations automatically resume the following Monday morning.
Drop-off Facilities
Glendale S.A.F.E. Center (LA County HHW)
4600 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company handles garbage collection in South Pasadena?
Athens Services is the exclusive franchise hauler contracted by the City of South Pasadena to manage all residential and commercial waste collection.
Where should I dispose of my kitchen food waste?
In compliance with state law, all food scraps, soiled paper napkins, and yard debris must be placed together inside your green organics cart.
How late can I leave my trash bins on the street?
City ordinance requires residents to pull their waste carts back onto their private property no later than 8:00 p.m. on their scheduled collection day.