Black Bin (Trash)
Use the black 64-gallon cart for general refuse that cannot be recycled or composted. Carts must be removed from the public right-of-way by 6:00 p.m. on the day of collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bathroom waste and diapers
- ✓Cat litter and animal waste
- ✓Rags, sponges, and old clothes
- ✓Soiled paper plates and cigarette butts
- ✓Small amounts of dirt or rocks
- ✓Palm fronds, yucca, and cactus
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose, clean, and dry. Residents can request an unlimited number of extra blue recycling containers free of charge by calling Athens Services.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓#1 - #7 plastic containers
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and cereal boxes
- ✓Clean newspapers, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Empty aerosol cans (no lids)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or plastic wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Window or safety glass
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Residents are provided up to two green waste containers for free. Do not put palm fronds, cactus, or dirt in the green bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves (loose)
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Food-soiled paper
- ✓Prunings, weeds, and brush
- ✓Twigs and small branches (under 4 inches in diameter and 2 feet in length)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) free pickups per year.
Placement
Do not set out items without calling to schedule. Place approved items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the special collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Computer monitors and televisions
- ✓ Laptops and printers
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Automotive parts
The four annual pickups are entirely free for residential and multi-family premises. Additional collections or exceeding the item limit may result in fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Whenever an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics, recycling, and bulky item pickups observe the exact same one-day delay as standard trash collection.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday schedule will not be interrupted.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep succulents and palm fronds out of the green bin
Unlike standard leaves and grass clippings, fibrous yard waste like palm fronds, yucca, and cactus cannot be properly processed at local composting facilities. These must always go into your black trash container.
Ditch the plastic film
Plastic bags and film wraps get tightly wound around the gears of the recycling sorting machines. Never bag your recyclables. Leave your cans, bottles, and cardboard loose in the blue cart.
Handle batteries and bulbs as hazardous waste
Universal wastes, including all batteries and fluorescent light bulbs, are illegal to throw in any curbside cart. Save them for a free LA County Household Hazardous Waste Roundup event.
Seasonal Information
Spring
MayThe City typically hosts an annual Community Cleanup & Compost Giveaway event at the Whittier Public Parking Lot in May. Residents can safely recycle e-waste, shred documents securely, and take home free compost.
Winter
December - MarchDuring Southern California's rainy season, the Savage Canyon Landfill may temporarily close to the public due to mud and safety hazards. Always call the gatehouse at (562) 698-1223 before planning a trip on a wet day.
Autumn
October - NovemberAs leaves begin to drop, ensure they are placed loosely in your green cart without bags. Do not overstuff the cart or pack the leaves too tightly, as the automated arm requires the debris to fall out freely.
About Whittier Waste Management
Navigating Whittier's Athens Services Collection Program
In Whittier, residential waste management is exclusively handled by Athens Services using an automated three-cart system. The standard service level provides a 64-gallon black cart for garbage, a 96-gallon blue cart for comingled recyclables, and a 96-gallon green cart for organics. To ensure your carts are serviced, place them in the street with the wheels against the curb or in the alley by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Ensure carts are spaced at least one foot apart and three feet away from parked vehicles.
Mastering the Green Bin and Free Kitchen Pails
To comply with California's SB 1383 mandate, Whittier requires all food scraps and food-soiled paper to be placed directly into the green organics container alongside yard trimmings. To make this transition easier, the City provides free food scrap collection pails. Residents can pick up these convenient countertop containers at Whittier City Hall. They are perfect for collecting eggshells, coffee grounds, and vegetable peels before transferring them to the outdoor green bin.
Maximizing Your Free Bulky Item and E-Waste Pickups
If you are upgrading furniture or clearing out out-of-date electronics, Athens Services provides residential customers with four free bulky item pickups per rolling calendar year. You are allowed up to three large items per scheduled collection. This service covers everything from mattresses and appliances to computer monitors and televisions. You must call Athens Services ahead of time to schedule this pick-up; do not simply abandon items next to your regular carts.
Self-Hauling and Savage Canyon Landfill Perks
Whittier is unique in operating its own municipal dump, the Savage Canyon Landfill, which exclusively accepts waste generated within the city limits. Residents with valid ID or recent utility bills can take advantage of Special Saturday Residential Discounts, offering one discounted dump per Saturday for a nominal fee. The City also issues discounted disposal permits at City Hall that cover up to six unmodified truckloads annually. Furthermore, a Self-Hauler Permit is available for those who prefer to manage their own weekly refuse instead of utilizing Athens Services.
Special Trash Service Discounts for Whittier Residents
The City of Whittier offers notable billing discounts for eligible residents. Seniors (62+) who are heads of household and receive supplemental social security, as well as active-duty military members deployed away from home, can apply for a 10% discount on standard trash services. Additionally, low-income families may qualify for a Utility User's Tax Exemption, which can shave off a flat $5 per month from their Athens Services bill.
Drop-off Facilities
Savage Canyon Landfill
13919 Penn St, Whittier, CA 90602
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an extra recycling or yard waste cart in Whittier?
Whittier residents can request an unlimited number of extra blue recycling carts and up to two green yard waste carts entirely free of charge. Simply contact Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 to request them. Keep in mind that requesting additional black refuse carts will incur a monthly fee.
Can I bring my own trash to the dump?
Yes, Whittier residents with proof of residency can self-haul materials to the Savage Canyon Landfill. The landfill offers a Special Saturday Residential Discount for $20 per visit (up to a 3/4 ton truck) or you can purchase an annual discount permit at City Hall for $42, which grants six discounted entries.
Where should I dispose of e-waste like an old TV or laptop?
You do not need to take e-waste to the landfill. Athens Services provides curbside collection for electronics, including TVs, computers, and microwaves, for Whittier residents. You must call Athens in advance to arrange the pick-up.
What items are not allowed in the green organics cart?
Do not place palm fronds, yucca, cactus, large branches, stumps, dirt, or rocks into your green bin. Additionally, keep out all plastics, including plastic bags, and pet waste. These items belong in the black trash cart.