Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Temecula
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your regular collection day in the blue cart.
Yard Waste
Organics and green waste are collected weekly on your regular collection day in the green cart.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services in Temecula are provided under contract by CR&R Environmental Services, which includes up to 4 bulky item pickups per calendar year.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Black Bin (Trash)
Place carts side-by-side, approximately one foot apart and three feet from any obstruction. Lids must close completely. Remove carts from the curb within 12 hours after service.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Treated or painted wood
- ✓Non-recyclable wrappers and films
Grey or Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed completely loose inside the cart. Do not put recyclables inside plastic bags. Lightly rinse out food residue before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and newspaper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film wrap
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags—even if labeled 'compostable'—as they jam the Anaerobic Digestion facility. Freeze food scraps in a paper bag before collection day to prevent extreme odors during the summer.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, bones)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, coffee filters)
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree trimmings and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free bulky item pick-ups per calendar year.
Placement
You must call CR&R customer service to schedule. Place the approved items at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your designated bulky collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (chairs, couches, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances
- ✓ Automobile tires (limit of 2 per request)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or asphalt
- ✕ Items that cannot be safely lifted by a two-person crew
If you exceed your annual limit of four items (across two pickups), additional bulky item collections can be arranged with CR&R for a nominal charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls during the work week (Monday-Friday), your regular service will be postponed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash collection.
If a holiday happens to fall on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays to your standard Monday through Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryCR&R begins curbside Christmas tree collection on December 26th for a two-week period. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half. Place your bare, unflocked tree at the curb on your normal service day; a separate truck will collect it.
Summer
July - SeptemberDuring extreme Temecula heatwaves, freeze your meat and dairy scraps inside a paper bag, and only place them in your green organics cart the night before or the morning of collection to deter fruit flies and maggots.
Local Tips & Community Info
CR&R Environmental Services Collection Guidelines
For homeowners throughout the Temecula Valley, residential waste management is contracted through CR&R Environmental Services. To ensure your neighborhood's pickup proceeds without a hitch, all designated carts must be wheeled to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your specific collection morning. Proper placement is critical; containers should be spaced at least two feet apart from one another and kept entirely clear of street-parked vehicles, fire hydrants, and mailboxes. Make sure the handles are facing your home, and always verify that the lids are fully closed to prevent windblown litter from scattering across local streets.
Organics Recycling and SB 1383 Compliance
Riverside County enforces strict adherence to California's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, meaning Temecula residents must actively sort their refuse. Your green cart is exclusively for compostable materials, which include grass clippings, leaves, weed trimmings, and all food scraps. It is strictly prohibited to place plastic bags, dirt, rocks, or pet waste into the organics bin. By diligently separating your kitchen food waste and yard debris, you directly assist the city in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions generated by local landfills.
Scheduling Oversized Item Removals
Getting rid of old appliances, broken mattresses, or worn-out patio furniture does not have to be a hassle. CR&R provides Temecula households with convenient bulky item pickup services directly at the curb. Rather than illegally dumping oversized loads or paying expensive hauling fees, residents can simply contact CR&R customer support at (800) 755-8112 to arrange a special collection day. Advance notice is required, and certain weight limits or item restrictions may apply, so it is best to describe your disposal needs fully when calling to book the appointment.
Safe Disposal of Hazardous and Electronic Waste
Toxic materials require special handling and must never be tossed into your standard residential bins. Items such as old house paint, vehicle motor oil, pool chemicals, pesticides, and lithium batteries pose severe environmental hazards. Temecula residents are encouraged to utilize the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources, which frequently hosts free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events. Additionally, outdated electronics like televisions and computers can often be scheduled for special curbside pickup through CR&R or dropped off at designated e-waste recycling centers.
Holiday Service Schedule Adjustments
When a major national holiday rolls around, your standard trash pickup may experience a slight delay. CR&R observes six primary holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If your regular collection falls on or after one of these specific dates, your service will be delayed by a single day for the remainder of that week. Normal collection schedules always resume the following Monday, ensuring minimal disruption to your household routine.
Drop-off Facilities
Lake Elsinore Permanent HHW Facility (Riverside County)
512 North Langstaff Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many items can I leave out for a bulky waste pickup in Temecula?
Temecula residents are entitled to two free bulky waste pickups per year. However, CR&R strictly limits each pickup to a maximum of two (2) items, for a total of four items annually.
Can I put food waste in my green yard trimmings cart?
Yes. Due to SB 1383 regulations, all food scraps, including meat, dairy, and food-soiled paper, must be placed directly into your green organics cart. CR&R takes this material to an Anaerobic Digestion facility to create renewable natural gas.
What should I do with my old television or computer monitor?
Electronic waste (e-waste) cannot go into your standard carts due to heavy metals. You can schedule a bulky item pickup with CR&R by calling (951) 943-1991, and they will safely collect the electronics from your curbside.
Will my trash be picked up on Labor Day?
No. CR&R observes Labor Day. Because it falls on a weekday, all collection services in Temecula will be delayed by one day for the entire week following the holiday.