Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Thousand Oaks
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on the same day as trash collection (organics/green waste cart).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste services are provided under contract by Athens Services and billed every two months. Single-family residents are also eligible for up to two free bulky item pickups (up to six items total) and four free household hazardous waste home collections each year.
Billing Cycle
Bi-monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% senior discount on the monthly base rate is available for residential account holders aged 65 and older with valid ID.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Your Residential Waste Collection
For single-family neighborhoods across Thousand Oaks, local refuse collection is managed by franchised haulers like Athens Services. Knowing the parameters of your waste pickup ensures your street stays tidy and the community meets state environmental mandates. Your standard blue, green, and black containers are serviced one time each week between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to review the city's official sanitation maps online to pinpoint their exact service day. Having this knowledge readily available streamlines your household chores and prevents unsightly overflow.
Proper Cart Alignment and Set-Out Times
On the morning of your scheduled pickup day, wheel all assigned carts out to the curb prior to the 7:00 a.m. cutoff. To give the automated collection trucks enough operational clearance, space each bin exactly one foot apart from the others, and keep them away from obstructions like vehicles or low-hanging branches. Additionally, everything must fit securely inside the container; lids must sit completely flush. Drivers are not authorized to collect any extra debris left sitting on the pavement next to the cart, so proper sizing of your waste load is critical.
Strict Adherence to California SB 1383
Like all modern California municipalities, Thousand Oaks is legally bound to the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction mandate, known widely as SB 1383. This requires every household to vigorously separate their green waste, food scraps, and completely fiber-based food-soiled paper into their designated organics container. By diverting these compostable items away from standard landfills, the city significantly cuts down on harmful methane gas emissions. Remember to avoid tossing any plastics or non-compostable packaging into the green bin, as contamination can ruin an entire truckload of organic material.
Handling Large and Hazardous Household Items
Not everything belongs in your curbside containers. If you are replacing an old refrigerator, tossing a mattress, or getting rid of worn-out rugs, you need to arrange a specialized bulky item collection. Furthermore, electronic waste and hazardous liquids—such as motor oil, antifreeze, or household cleaners—must never go down the drain or into your trash bins. Thousand Oaks provides designated drop-off sites, including local facilities on Conejo Center Drive for the safe disposal of sharps and other medical waste, ensuring neighborhood safety and compliance with state environmental laws.
Dealing with Holiday Scheduling Delays
Throughout the calendar year, certain major national holidays will disrupt the regular weekly collection rhythm. Athens Services observes key dates, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day, among others. When a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all subsequent pick-ups for that week will roll back by exactly one day. For instance, if a holiday lands on a Monday, the usual Monday routes will be serviced on Tuesday, and Friday routes will conclude on Saturday. Staying aware of this alternating timeline guarantees you never miss your window for garbage collection.
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.