Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Westminster
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone. Check the interactive service map or contact the district to verify your assigned collection day.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as trash (blue cart).
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on the same day as trash (green organics cart).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and sewer service fees are placed directly on the annual Orange County property tax roll rather than billed as an ongoing monthly utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Property Tax Bill, Online, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
The district provides free physical container pull-out assistance (Helping Hands Program) for qualifying elderly or disabled residents. No direct rate discounts are listed.
Black Bin (Trash)
Do not cram materials tightly into the bin; lids MUST be completely closed to receive proper service. Place carts out by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✓Broken glass
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Snack wrappers
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Ensure all recyclable items are empty and reasonably clean. Clean clothes and shoes are uniquely accepted in the blue bin by MCSD, but do not include carpets or rugs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Cardboard and paper products
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Clothes, rags, and shoes
- ✓Empty aerosol cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Carpet
- ✕Rugs
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
If you choose to bag your organic waste before placing it in the green cart, MCSD explicitly prefers the use of compostable bags over standard plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Meat, poultry, fish, and bones
- ✓Leftovers, pasta, rice, and bread
- ✓Eggshells and coffee grounds
- ✓Paper towels soaked in FOG (fats, oils, grease)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Two (2) items per household every 30 days
Placement
Place approved bulky items at the curb only after scheduling a pickup. Do not leave items out unannounced. For mattresses and futons, they must be dropped off directly at the MCSD facility.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Desks
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Large appliances
- ✓ Refrigerators
Not Accepted
- ✕ Mattresses
- ✕ Box springs
- ✕ Futons
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Car parts
This service is provided completely free of charge (up to 2 items per 30-day period). Additional items or non-compliant items abandoned on the street may result in code enforcement citations.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay in service. If the holiday falls during the work week (Monday through Friday), service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling bins strictly follow the same holiday delayed schedule as the regular black trash cart.
Streets are not swept on City-observed holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryMCSD will send out special vehicles to pick up natural holiday trees for the first two weeks following Christmas. Simply place your tree on the curb on your regular service day with all decorations, lights, tinsel, and the stand completely removed.
Autumn
October - NovemberKeep autumn leaves and small twigs out of the street gutter to prevent storm drain blockages. Place all seasonal yard clippings loosely into your green cart, making sure the lid can fully close.
Spring
April - MaySpring cleaning is a great time to tackle old furniture and appliances. Remember that you get up to two free bulky item pickups every 30 days per household. Just make sure to schedule ahead by calling (714) 893-3553.
Local Tips & Community Info
The Role of Midway City Sanitary District
Unlike many neighboring Orange County cities that contract out their waste hauling to private corporations, Westminster residents are proudly serviced by the Midway City Sanitary District (MCSD). Established in 1939, MCSD is a rare in-house collection agency providing dedicated sanitation services to the local community. Through this specialized district, households receive reliable weekly curbside pickups for standard refuse, mixed recyclables, and green waste. Maintaining clean streets is a shared civic responsibility, and understanding the district's specific sorting protocols ensures that local environmental goals are met efficiently.
Cart Positioning and Pickup Timing
To facilitate smooth operations for the automated collection trucks, your residential carts must be set out in the gutter near your driveway no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. The wheels of the container must rest directly against the curb so the mechanical arm can safely grip the bin. MCSD requires a minimum three-foot clearance around each cart, keeping them safely away from parked cars, street poles, and other containers. Overfilling your bins is strictly prohibited; the lids must shut effortlessly to prevent wind-blown litter. If you ever experience a missed collection, notifying the district by the next business day will prompt a swift recovery pickup.
Segregating Household Waste Properly
Westminster utilizes the familiar three-color cart system to maximize recycling efforts and adhere to California's strict SB 1383 organics mandates. Your black container is meant solely for everyday non-recyclable garbage, pet waste, and soft plastics. The blue cart is reserved strictly for unbagged, clean recyclables like flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, and glass jars. Meanwhile, the green cart handles all yard trimmings and organic food scraps. Mixing improper materials, especially tossing standard trash into the blue or green bins, results in costly contamination penalties for the district and undermines regional sustainability efforts.
Requesting a Bulky Waste Collection
When upgrading household furniture or clearing out the garage, Westminster residents can take advantage of MCSD's specialized bulky item program. Each household is entitled to the removal of a maximum of two large items every thirty days. Acceptable objects include couches, large plastic toys, patio furniture, and old televisions. However, you cannot simply drag these items to the curb unannounced. You must call the MCSD office at (714) 893-3553 or email them at least one full week prior to your desired date to schedule the service. Drivers will ignore unauthorized items left on the sidewalk.
Specific Rules for Mattresses and Hazardous Materials
It is highly important to note that MCSD no longer collects mattresses, box springs, or futons via their standard curbside bulky pickup program. Instead, residents can drop these items off completely free of charge at the District headquarters on Cedarwood Street, available Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Additionally, for toxic household products like leftover paint, used motor oil, and harsh pesticides, you must utilize the regional Household Hazardous Waste Center located on Nichols Street in nearby Huntington Beach, which safely processes these dangerous materials at no cost.
Acquiring Additional Collection Containers
If your household consistently generates more waste than a single set of carts can accommodate, you do not have to resort to illegally dumping or overflowing your bins. MCSD allows residents to order additional standard refuse containers for a modest annual fee of $40.40. Simply reach out to their customer service team to request the extra capacity. Furthermore, if your current bin is damaged, stolen, or structurally compromised by normal wear and tear, the district will dispatch a crew to deliver a brand-new replacement free of charge on your next scheduled collection day.
Drop-off Facilities
Midway City Sanitary District Mattress Drop-Off
14451 Cedarwood Street, Westminster CA 92683
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Westminster offer free bulky item pickup?
Yes, the Midway City Sanitary District offers residents up to two free bulky item pickups every 30 days. You must call (714) 893-3553 in advance to schedule your collection.
Can I leave my old mattress on the curb for bulk pickup?
No. MCSD no longer collects mattresses, box springs, or futons at the curb. Westminster residents must bring these items directly to the MCSD facility at 14451 Cedarwood Street for free recycling during standard business hours.
What happens to trash pickup on holidays in Westminster?
If an observed holiday (such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Labor Day) falls on a weekday, trash collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. If the holiday lands on a weekend, your schedule will not change.
Where do I throw away clothes and shoes in Westminster?
Unlike many other municipalities, MCSD allows residents to place clean clothes, rags, and shoes directly into the blue recycling cart. However, large textiles like carpets and rugs are strictly prohibited in the blue cart.