Black Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day with the lid fully closed. A minimum clearance of 1 foot from other carts and obstructions is required.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Broken ceramics and window glass
- ✓Treated or painted wood
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. Place items completely loose inside the blue cart. Ensure all containers are empty of liquids and scraped clean of food.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, dry paper and cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not place any plastic or bio-plastic bags in the green cart. Food waste can be tossed in loosely, wrapped in newspaper, or contained within a paper bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, fruits, vegetables)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins, coffee filters)
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves, brush, and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free collections per calendar year.
Placement
You must contact Athens Services at (833) 791-2377 in advance to schedule the pickup. Items must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the confirmed collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, desks)
- ✓ Mattresses and carpets
- ✓ Major appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Tires
Not Accepted
- ✕ Automobile parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (dirt, concrete, tile, drywall)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint or chemicals
If you exceed your annual limit of two free bulky pickups, additional collections can be scheduled with Athens Services for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a Monday through Friday, collection services for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day, with Friday service occurring on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard residential trash.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay in service for the surrounding week.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Skip the Plastic Bags
Bagging your recyclables in plastic film is the fastest way to contaminate your blue cart. Plastic bags wrap around the gears at the Athens material recovery facility. Toss items in completely loose.
Not All Glass is Recyclable
While glass beverage bottles and food jars are perfectly fine for the blue bin, items like window glass, mirrors, and broken drinking glasses belong in the black trash cart due to their different chemical melting points.
Don't Hide E-Waste
Tossing an old phone or a lithium-ion battery into your black cart poses a massive fire risk to the collection trucks and facilities. Utilize the free HHW Home Collection service or take them to the Newbury Park drop-off.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryAthens Services collects and composts real holiday trees following Christmas. Remove all stands, lights, and ornaments. Flocked trees (covered in fake snow) are considered trash and must be cut up and placed in the black cart.
Spring/Summer
May - SeptemberWildfire risk is extremely high in the Conejo Valley. Residents should proactively clear dry brush and dead vegetation, utilizing their green organics carts weekly to maintain a safe, defensible space around their properties before peak fire season.
About Thousand Oaks Waste Management
Athens Services Franchise and Bundled Three-Cart Collection
In 2022, the City of Thousand Oaks transitioned its exclusive residential waste management franchise to Athens Services. This modernized approach provides single-family homes with a standardized, bundled three-cart system. By establishing separate carts for landfill trash, recycling, and organic waste, the city aims to drastically increase its diversion rate and foster a more sustainable, zero-waste future for the Conejo Valley.
SB 1383 Compliance: Organics and Food Waste Disposal
Thousand Oaks rigorously adheres to California's SB 1383 climate mandates, requiring all households to divert organic material from landfills to reduce methane emissions. Residents must use their green organics cart for both traditional yard trimmings and all household food scraps. This includes leftover meats, dairy products, bread, bones, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper like greasy pizza boxes.
Free HHW Home Collection and the Newbury Park Facility
Disposing of toxic chemicals in Thousand Oaks is incredibly convenient. Not only does the city operate a permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility on Conejo Center Drive in Newbury Park (open Fridays and Saturdays by appointment), but Athens Services also offers an exclusive Home Collection program. Eligible residents can request up to four free at-home HHW pickups per year for items like paint, motor oil, and batteries without ever leaving their driveway.
The Unique Move-In/Move-Out Box Collection Perk
Relocating generates a massive amount of cardboard and packing foam that quickly overwhelms standard recycling bins. To alleviate this, Athens Services provides a specialized, free Move-In/Move-Out collection service for Thousand Oaks residents. Within the first three months of opening a new service account, households can request a one-time curbside pickup specifically for flattened cardboard boxes, bundled newspaper, and packaging foam at no additional charge.
Managing Excess Clutter with Free Bulky Item Pickups
When it's time for a garage cleanout or a furniture upgrade, Thousand Oaks residents do not have to resort to illegal dumping or expensive haulers. Single-family and multi-family dwelling residents receive up to two free bulky item collections per calendar year. Each collection allows for the disposal of up to three large items, such as appliances, mattresses, or bundled tires, meaning every household can discard up to six large items annually for free.
Drop-off Facilities
Thousand Oaks Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
2010 Conejo Center Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320
Materials Accepted
Material ReUse Store
2010 Conejo Center Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Thousand Oaks offer hazardous waste pickup at my home?
Yes. Athens Services provides a free HHW Home Collection program for Thousand Oaks residents up to four times per year. You can request this service by filling out a form on the Athens website to have items like paint, batteries, and motor oil collected directly from your doorstep.
What is the Move-In/Move-Out collection service?
Within the first three months of setting up a new residential account with Athens Services, you can request one free, on-call pickup specifically for recyclable packing materials, such as flattened cardboard boxes and packaging foam. This does not count against your annual bulky item limit.
Can I bag my food waste in the green cart?
You should not use plastic bags, even if they claim to be compostable. If you want to contain your food scraps before tossing them into the green organics cart, you can wrap them in newspaper or place them inside a standard brown paper bag.
How do I safely dispose of old prescription medications?
Medications are strictly prohibited in all curbside carts and are NOT accepted at the Thousand Oaks HHW Facility or through the Athens Home Collection program. You must drop them off at designated safe pharmaceutical disposal kiosks, often located at local police stations or participating pharmacies.