Black (or Gray with Black Lid) Bin (Trash)
All non-recyclable and non-compostable landfill garbage must fit inside the cart with the lid fully closed. Hazardous waste is strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Diapers and sanitary products
- ✓Ceramics, glassware, and mirrors
- ✓Plastic bags, wrap, and film
- ✓Styrofoam (polystyrene foam)
- ✓Animal waste and kitty litter
Green (or Gray with Blue Lid) Bin (Recycling)
All containers must be completely empty, clean, and dry. Do not bag recyclables; place items loosely inside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes
- ✓Plastics #1-#7 (bottles, jugs, tubs)
- ✓Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes)
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Brown (or Gray with Green Lid) Bin (Yard Waste)
Do not use standard plastic bags. You may bag food waste in paper bags or certified compostable bags. Keep free of dirt, rocks, and hazardous materials.
Accepted Items
- ✓Yard trimmings, leaves, and weeds
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, produce)
- ✓Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins)
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Uncoated wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Three free curbside bulky item pickups per calendar year for single-family residences.
Placement
Place your approved bulky items at the curb or next to your garage (where you normally place your carts) by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. Ensure items do not block sidewalks.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Bundled wood or green waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, chemicals)
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, dirt)
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
The three annual pickups (up to 10 items each) are completely free. If you exceed this limit or have unacceptable construction debris, you must rent a temporary dumpster or pay an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on or before your regular collection day, your trash pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week, with Friday service occurring on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
The standard one-day holiday delay applies equally to the trash, recycling, and organics carts.
For all other holidays not listed (such as Veterans Day or Martin Luther King Jr. Day), collection will continue on your normally scheduled day.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Empty, Clean, and Dry
Even one half-full soda bottle or unrinsed peanut butter jar can contaminate an entire truckload of clean recyclables. Republic Services enforces a strict 'Empty, Clean, and Dry' rule—ensure all containers are completely free of liquid and food residue before tossing them into the recycling cart.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling
Never place loose plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, or plastic film into your recycling cart. These flimsy plastics wrap around the sorting equipment at the materials recovery facility, causing major mechanical jams. Always throw plastic bags in your regular black trash cart or return them to local grocery stores.
Bag Food Scraps in Paper
While Yorba Linda's brown organics cart easily accepts loose yard waste, dumping loose food scraps can attract pests and create foul odors in the hot summer months. To keep your cart clean, tightly wrap your food scraps in newspaper or place them inside a brown paper bag before putting them in the organics bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December through JanuaryFollowing the Christmas holiday, Republic Services typically provides curbside holiday tree recycling for several weeks. Trees must be completely stripped of ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands. Flocked trees or trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half before placement.
Year-Round
January through DecemberIf you need excess compost or mulch for your garden, the Olinda Alpha Landfill in nearby Brea (1942 N. Valencia Avenue) offers a Valencia Greenery program where Orange County residents can pick up bulk compost Monday through Saturday.
About Yorba Linda Waste Management
Yorba Linda's Exclusive Partnership with Republic Services
The City of Yorba Linda maintains an exclusive franchise agreement with Republic Services to manage all residential solid waste, recycling, and organics collection [2.1.1]. Utilizing a streamlined three-cart system, Republic Services ensures that Orange County residents can conveniently sort their household refuse. This coordinated citywide approach minimizes street traffic from multiple haulers and helps the community steadily advance toward its aggressive landfill diversion targets.
Strict SB 1383 Organics Compliance in the Brown Cart
In accordance with California’s SB 1383 mandate, Yorba Linda residents must separate all organic waste from their regular trash. The brown cart (or newer gray cart with a green lid) is exclusively for yard trimmings, grass clippings, and food scraps like meat, dairy, bones, and vegetables. Additionally, food-soiled paper products, such as greasy pizza boxes and used paper napkins, must be tossed into the organics bin, allowing the city to convert these materials into nutrient-rich compost instead of harmful landfill methane.
Cart Placement and Clearance Rules
To guarantee smooth automated collection, Republic Services requires Yorba Linda homeowners to place their carts in the street gutter or against the curb by 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled pickup day. Carts must be positioned with the lid openings facing the street. Crucially, each bin must have at least three feet of clearance from other carts and six feet of distance from stationary objects like parked cars, mailboxes, and basketball hoops to accommodate the mechanical arms of the collection trucks.
Convenient Bulky Item and E-Waste Disposal
Clearing out household clutter is made incredibly easy for Yorba Linda residents. Republic Services provides single-family homeowners with three free curbside bulky item pickups every calendar year. Residents can set out up to 10 large items per appointment, including old furniture, mattresses, and electronic waste. This generous program eliminates the need to haul heavy debris to the Olinda Landfill and keeps neighborhood streets free of illegal dumping.
Drop-off Facilities
Olinda Alpha Landfill & Valencia Greenery
1942 N. Valencia Avenue, Brea, CA 92823
Materials Accepted
Anaheim Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
1071 N. Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, CA 92806
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I safely dispose of old paint and household cleaners in Yorba Linda?
Hazardous materials like paint, motor oil, pesticides, and household cleaners can never go in your curbside carts. Yorba Linda residents can safely dispose of these toxic items for free at the Anaheim Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center, located nearby at 1071 N. Blue Gum Street.
Can I put a greasy pizza box in my recycling cart?
No. Food-soiled cardboard ruins the paper recycling process. However, because Yorba Linda participates in an SB 1383-compliant organics program, you can and should place greasy pizza boxes directly into your brown organics cart!
What should I do if my Republic Services cart is broken or stolen?
If your black, green, or brown cart has a cracked body, a broken wheel, or a missing lid, you can easily request a free cart replacement or repair by contacting Republic Services customer support directly at 1-800-700-8610.
Does Republic Services pick up trash on Thanksgiving?
No, Republic Services observes Thanksgiving Day. If your regular trash collection falls on a Thursday, it will be delayed to Friday. If your normal day is Friday, your carts will be serviced on Saturday.