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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Flocking Out of the Green Bin
Flocked Christmas trees (those coated in fake snow) or trees treated with fire retardants cannot be processed at the American Organics compost facility and must be placed in the black trash cart.
Empty, Clean, and Dry for the Blue Bin
Before tossing a plastic beverage jug or glass jar into the recycling cart, ensure it is completely empty and rinsed. Leftover food or liquid can ruin surrounding paper and cardboard.
Batteries and Bulbs Don't Belong
Never place batteries or fluorescent light tubes in any of your curbside barrels. They contain hazardous materials that can cause fires in Athens' collection trucks or sorting facilities.
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.
About South Pasadena Waste Management
Standardizing to a Three-Barrel System
To maintain strict compliance with California's SB 1383 organic waste mandates, South Pasadena and Athens Services are deploying a standardized cart program. All residents are moving to an official color-coded system: a black barrel for landfill trash, a blue barrel for recyclables, and a green barrel for compostable organics.
The End of Dumpster Days
South Pasadena has officially retired its traditional Dumpster Day and Senior Citizen Dumpster Week programs. In its place, the city partnered with Athens Services to launch a highly convenient curbside bulky item pick-up program, allowing residents to schedule heavy item collections right from their homes throughout the year.
Local Organic Composting Route
When you put food scraps and yard trimmings into your green barrel, it doesn't go to waste. Athens transports South Pasadena's organic materials to their state-of-the-art American Organics compost facility in Victorville, where it is transformed into nutrient-rich soil amendments for local agriculture.
Interactive 'What Goes Where' Tool
Unsure where to toss a specific item? South Pasadena residents have access to the Athens 'What Goes Where' interactive online guide, which provides immediate sorting instructions for over 450 types of household items, reducing contamination and maximizing diversion.
Drop-off Facilities
Glendale S.A.F.E. Center (LA County HHW)
4600 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bulky item pickups do South Pasadena residents receive?
South Pasadena single-family residents receive one free bulky item pickup per quarter, totaling up to four times per calendar year. You may set out a maximum of five items per scheduled pickup.
Is food waste allowed in the green yard waste bin?
Yes. South Pasadena fully complies with California's SB 1383 mandate, meaning you are required to place all organic food scraps, including meat, dairy, and food-soiled paper, directly into your green barrel alongside your yard trimmings.
Which holidays delay Athens trash pickup in South Pasadena?
Athens Services delays collection by one day for six major holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
What happened to the Dumpster Day program?
The traditional Dumpster Day and Senior Citizen Dumpster Week programs have been replaced by the new quarterly curbside bulky item pick-up program, allowing you to have large items collected directly from your home.