Black Bin (Trash)
All refuse must be bagged and placed inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Carts must be set out at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Pet waste and kitty litter
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- ✓Treated or painted wood
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Broken ceramics and window glass
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recyclables. Place all items loosely into the blue cart. Ensure containers are empty and reasonably clean of residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and clean pizza boxes
- ✓Paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (lids removed)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (bottles, jugs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food and liquid waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Small plastics (utensils, straws)
Yard Waste Bin
Never place plastic bags in the green cart. Food scraps can be tossed in loose or wrapped in newspaper or a plain paper bag to control odors.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Tree branches and prunings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, produce)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (napkins, unlined paper bags)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) free on-call collections per year
Placement
Call Athens Services at least 24-48 hours in advance to schedule. Place bulky items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt)
- ✕ Propane tanks
Additional collections beyond the free annual allotment can be scheduled for an extra fee. Extra bagged green waste or extra bagged trash collections also have specific annual limits before fees apply.
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
Ditch the Plastic Bags
The number one recycling contaminant at Athens Services' Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) is plastic bags. Never use garbage bags or plastic grocery sacks to hold your recyclables; they wrap around sorting machinery and halt operations.
Keep E-Waste Out of the Black Cart
Electronic waste (old TVs, computers, batteries, and cords) contains toxic heavy metals and is banned from all curbside carts. Schedule a free e-waste pickup or drop items off at a S.A.F.E. Collection Center.
Styrofoam is Not Recyclable
Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups, blocks, and takeout containers cannot be processed curbside. Regardless of the recycling symbol on the bottom, Styrofoam must always go in the black trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter Holidays
Late December to Mid-JanuaryAthens Services provides free curbside holiday tree recycling for West Carson residents. Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and stands. Flocked trees cannot be composted and must be disposed of as trash.
Spring and Summer
May to AugustLA County often sponsors annual community curbside cleanup events, allowing residents to easily dispose of excess bagged yard waste, trash, and bulky items without using up their standard annual on-call limits.
About West Carson Waste Management
The Westfield/La Rambla/West Carson Franchise Area
Because West Carson is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP), its residential waste is not governed by a city council, but rather by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. West Carson falls under the county's Residential Franchise System. Athens Services (which recently acquired CalMet Services) acts as the exclusive franchise hauler for the community, ensuring standard rates and comprehensive trash, recycling, and organics collection.
State-Mandated Organics Recycling in West Carson
In alignment with California's SB 1383 mandate to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, West Carson households are equipped with a three-cart system. The green organics cart is mandatory for all yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. Athens Services diverts this organic material from the landfill to advanced composting facilities, turning household food waste into nutrient-rich agricultural mulch and renewable energy.
Preventing Illegal Dumping in Industrial Corridors
West Carson features a unique mix of high-density multifamily housing and legacy industrial zones, which can sometimes attract illegal dumping. To combat this, the LA County franchise agreement provides single-family residents with on-call curbside collections for bulky items and electronic waste every year. Utilizing these free pickups keeps the streetscapes clean and supports the county's ongoing Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) revitalization goals.
Special Exemptions and Roll-Out Services
LA County Public Works mandates equitable waste access. In West Carson, Athens Services provides free 'roll-out' (backyard-to-curb) container service for qualifying elderly residents (62+) or those with physical disabilities who have no able-bodied person in the household. Additionally, qualifying low-income senior households may apply for discounted quarterly trash collection rates.
Drop-off Facilities
Gaffey Street S.A.F.E. Center
1400 N. Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Materials Accepted
EDCO Recycling & Transfer Collection Center
2755 California Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash collection for West Carson?
Since West Carson is an unincorporated area, waste services are managed by LA County Public Works. Athens Services (which recently acquired CalMet Services) is the exclusive residential franchise hauler for the Westfield/La Rambla/West Carson zone.
Can I throw food scraps directly into my green cart?
Yes. To comply with state law, all food waste—including meat, dairy, produce, and food-soiled paper—must go into the green organics cart. You can toss it in loose or wrap it in a paper bag, but do not use plastic bags.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or refrigerator in West Carson?
Residents are entitled to two free bulky item pickups per year. You must call Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 in advance to schedule the collection. Do not leave items on the curb without an appointment.
Does West Carson offer a senior discount for trash service?
Yes. LA County's franchise agreement includes a discount for residents 62 or older who are the head of household and meet certain financial or low-waste criteria. Contact Athens Services directly to apply.