Burgundy or Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and fit entirely inside the barrel with the lid completely closed. Maximum weight per barrel is 150 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed household refuse
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and styrofoam
- ✓Cooled ashes
- ✓Medical waste (properly contained, excluding sharps)
Grey or Blue Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely inside the barrel. Never use plastic garbage bags. Large cardboard boxes must be flattened, tied together, and placed next to the barrel if they don't fit inside.
Accepted Items
- ✓White and colored paper, newspaper, magazines
- ✓Cardboard and cereal boxes (flattened)
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (numbered 1-7)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (bagged recyclables)
- ✕Food waste or liquid
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Mirrors and window glass
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Green waste and organic food scraps must be placed in the designated green barrel. Keep lids closed to deter desert wildlife.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves, weeds, and grass clippings
- ✓Branches and prunings
- ✓Food waste (fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy)
- ✓Food-soiled paper items (e.g., used paper plates and pizza boxes)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four free pick-ups per year (scheduled on Fridays)
Placement
You may place up to four (4) approved bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your specifically scheduled Friday.
Accepted
- ✓ Large and small appliances
- ✓ Furniture (couches, desks)
- ✓ Mattresses, box springs, and bed frames
- ✓ Carpet (rolled and bundled, not exceeding 4 feet)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and tires
- ✕ Building materials and construction debris
- ✕ Bagged household trash
- ✕ Engines and car parts
If you exceed your four free annual pick-ups, additional bulky item collections can be arranged with Burrtec for a supplementary fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Your recycling and green waste barrels will follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your regular trash barrel.
Barrels must always be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day, regardless of holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Recycling
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag. Bagged recyclables are considered contaminated and are often sent straight to the landfill because automated sorting machines cannot process them.
Cool Your Ashes Completely
Fire safety is critical in the arid high desert. If you are disposing of fireplace ashes or barbecue coals, they must be completely cooled to room temperature before being placed in your trash barrel.
No E-Waste in the Barrels
Electronic waste, such as old televisions, computers, and household batteries, contain hazardous materials and are strictly prohibited in all three curbside barrels.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayHigh winds are frequent in the Morongo Basin during the spring. Always ensure your cart lids are firmly closed and place barrels at least five feet away from fences, mailboxes, and parked cars to prevent them from tipping.
Summer
June to SeptemberExtreme desert heat can cause your organics cart to develop strong odors. Consider freezing your food scraps in a reusable container during the week and only transferring them to the green barrel on the morning of your collection.
Winter
December to JanuaryBurrtec collects natural holiday trees following Christmas. Ensure all ornaments, lights, stands, and tinsel are completely removed before placing the tree out for collection.
About Twentynine Palms Waste Management
Serving the Mojave High Desert
The City of Twentynine Palms partners with Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services to provide automated refuse and recycling collection across the expansive Morongo Basin. The system relies on a standardized color-coded barrel program designed to efficiently divert waste from local landfills while withstanding the unique high-desert climate.
Complimentary Walk-In Service for Disabled Residents
Recognizing the needs of its community, the local Burrtec franchise offers a unique accessibility program. Any resident meeting the DMV requirements for a Permanent Disabled Parking Placard is entitled to free backyard or side-yard collection, ensuring that getting bins to the curb is never a barrier to service.
Dedicated Friday Bulky Item Program
Instead of random bulk pickup schedules, Twentynine Palms consolidates its large-item collections to Fridays. Residents are granted up to four free bulky item pickups per calendar year, making it easy to dispose of old furniture and appliances without hauling them to a transfer station.
Composting in the Desert (SB 1383)
To comply with California’s stringent SB 1383 organics mandate, Twentynine Palms residents are required to use their green barrels for more than just desert landscaping debris. All household food waste, including meat, dairy, and food-soiled paper, must be placed into the green yard waste barrel to be processed into compost or mulch.
Drop-off Facilities
Joshua Tree Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site
62499 Twentynine Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does bulky item pickup work in Twentynine Palms?
Residents are entitled to four free bulky item collections per year. Burrtec schedules these pick-ups exclusively on Fridays. You must call (760) 365-2015 at least 48 hours in advance to reserve your spot, and you may place up to four items at the curb per pickup.
Can I get help moving my trash bins if I have a disability?
Yes. If you possess a Permanent Disabled Parking Placard issued by the DMV, Burrtec offers a complimentary walk-in backyard or side-yard collection service, meaning their drivers will retrieve and return the bins for you at no extra cost.
Where can I dispose of hazardous waste like paint and batteries?
Hazardous waste is strictly prohibited in your curbside barrels. You can safely dispose of these materials at the San Bernardino County Household Hazardous Waste collection site located at 62499 Twentynine Palms Hwy in Joshua Tree, open every 3rd Saturday of the month.
Do I put my food scraps in the green yard waste barrel?
Yes. In compliance with California's SB 1383 mandate, all residents must separate organic waste. This means placing all kitchen food scraps, including meat, dairy, and food-soiled paper, directly into your green barrel alongside regular yard trimmings.