Black Bin (Trash)
Bag all trash to prevent litter. Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day with lids completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Treated wood
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Broken ceramics
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the blue cart. Do not bag recyclables. Ensure containers are empty and free of excessive food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and junk mail
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Liquids
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Loose yard trimmings go directly in the cart. However, all food waste must be placed inside a plastic bag before being dropped into the green cart per LA County franchise rules.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree branches and prunings
- ✓Food waste (must be bagged)
- ✓Food-soiled paper
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Unlimited on-call collections (requires advance request)
Placement
Place scheduled bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day, ensuring they do not block traffic or pedestrian walkways.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Standard bulky item pickups are included in your residential franchise service at no additional charge as long as they are scheduled in advance.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash, recycling, and organics collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the trash service.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay in your regularly scheduled curbside service.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
The Exception to the Plastic Rule
In Stevenson Ranch, you MUST bag your food scraps in a plastic bag before placing them in the green organics cart. However, do NOT use plastic bags in your blue recycling cart; those items must always remain loose.
Keep E-Waste Out of the Black Cart
Electronic waste, such as old TVs, computers, and cords, contains toxic heavy metals and is banned from landfills. Never throw them in your black cart. Instead, schedule a free electronic waste pickup with Burrtec.
Styrofoam is Not Recyclable Curbside
Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) packing peanuts, blocks, and takeout containers cannot be processed at the local recycling facility. Always place Styrofoam securely in your black trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter Holidays
December 26 to January 7Burrtec provides free curbside Christmas tree recycling. Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and stands. Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half. Place the bare tree at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day.
Fire Season
May to OctoberDuring peak fire season, residents must maintain defensible space. If your brush clearance generates more debris than your green cart can hold, call Burrtec 24 hours in advance to schedule a free excess green waste collection.
About Stevenson Ranch Waste Management
Unincorporated LA County Franchise System
Because Stevenson Ranch is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, it does not manage its own municipal waste contracts. Instead, residential trash collection falls under LA County Public Works' Residential Franchise System. Stevenson Ranch is part of the Santa Clarita Valley franchise zone, where Burrtec Waste Industries serves as the exclusive hauler. This system ensures standardized rates and comprehensive services, including weekly cart collection and robust recycling programs.
A Unique Rule for Organics: Bagging Food Waste
To comply with California's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, Stevenson Ranch residents must divert food scraps from the landfill by using the green organics cart. However, the Santa Clarita Valley franchise area features a highly unique rule: Los Angeles County specifically requires residents to place food waste into a plastic bag before tossing it into the green cart. This differs from most California cities where plastic is strictly prohibited in compost bins, and is designed to accommodate the specific sorting technology used at the local processing facility.
Excess Waste and Brush Clearance Perks
Nestled near the rugged Santa Susana Mountains, Stevenson Ranch properties often generate significant green waste, especially during seasonal brush clearance for wildfire defensible space. Fortunately, the county franchise agreement includes exceptional perks: residents can request excess trash or excess green waste collections by simply calling Burrtec at least 24 hours before their regular pickup day. This prevents overflowing carts and keeps neighborhoods clean.
Managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Protecting the local watershed and the Santa Clara River environment is a priority. Hazardous items like paint, motor oil, batteries, and pesticides are strictly banned from all curbside carts. While there is no permanent HHW drop-off facility directly within Stevenson Ranch, residents are encouraged to utilize LA County's free temporary weekend HHW collection events or drive down to the permanent Nicole Bernson S.A.F.E. Collection Center in the San Fernando Valley.
Drop-off Facilities
Chiquita Canyon Landfill
29201 Henry Mayo Dr, Castaic, CA 91384
Materials Accepted
Nicole Bernson S.A.F.E. Collection Center
10241 N. Balboa Blvd, Northridge, CA 91325
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages the trash collection in Stevenson Ranch?
Because Stevenson Ranch is an unincorporated community, waste services are managed by Los Angeles County Public Works under the Residential Franchise System. Burrtec Waste Industries holds the exclusive contract for this specific zone (the Santa Clarita Valley area).
Are plastic bags allowed in the green organics cart?
Yes, and they are actually required. Per LA County rules for the Santa Clarita Valley franchise area, all food waste must be placed in a plastic bag before being thrown into the green organics cart. Yard trimmings, however, can remain loose.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch?
Stevenson Ranch residents are entitled to free, on-call bulky item collections. Simply call Burrtec at (800) 325-9417 at least 24 hours before your normal trash day to schedule a curbside pickup.
What should I do if my green cart is full from yard work?
If you have excess green waste that will not fit in your cart with the lid closed, do not overfill it. You can call Burrtec 24 hours prior to your service day to request a free excess green waste collection.