Black or Gray Bin (Trash)
Bag all trash securely to prevent windblown litter. Place barrels at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day with the lid completely closed and the front facing the street. Keep barrels at least 5 feet away from stationary objects.
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. Empty items directly into the barrel. Recyclables should be clean, dry, and empty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and clean pizza boxes
- ✓Mixed paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Medical waste or syringes
Yard Waste Bin
Yard trimmings can be placed loosely in the barrel. However, per Burrtec's Low Desert guidelines, all food waste MUST be bagged before being dropped into the green barrel.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, weeds, and desert brush
- ✓Tree branches and prunings
- ✓Food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, produce)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Four (4) free pickups per year
Placement
You must call Burrtec at (760) 365-2015 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule. Place approved items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled Friday.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled and bundled, not exceeding 4 feet)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Engines and car parts
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Building materials and construction debris
- ✕ Bagged household trash
This program is included at no additional cost for residential accounts, provided you do not exceed your annual limit of pickups or the item limit per collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and recycling services follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as the trash service.
There is no service interruption or delay when the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag Food Waste, Not Recyclables
While Yucca Valley requires you to bag your food scraps before putting them in the green barrel, you must never use plastic bags in your blue recycling barrel. Keep all recyclables loose to prevent jamming the sorting machines.
Keep E-Waste Out of the Barrels
Electronic waste, such as old televisions, computers, and stereos, contains toxic heavy metals and is banned from landfills. Do not throw them in your trash barrel. Schedule a bulky item pickup or utilize Burrtec's free e-waste drop-off program.
Styrofoam is Trash
Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups, blocks, and takeout containers cannot be processed in the blue recycling barrel. Regardless of any recycling symbol on the bottom, Styrofoam must always go in your regular trash barrel.
Seasonal Information
Winter Holidays
December 26 to January 10Burrtec provides free curbside Christmas tree recycling. Place your undecorated tree at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day. Trees over 6 feet must be cut in half, and all stands, lights, and ornaments must be removed. Flocked or artificial trees are not accepted.
High Winds
Year-round (Peak in Spring and Fall)The High Desert experiences frequent strong wind gusts. To prevent trash from blowing across the landscape, ensure all refuse is securely bagged inside the barrel, make sure lids are tightly closed, and retrieve your empty barrels promptly after collection.
About Yucca Valley Waste Management
High Desert Sustainability in Yucca Valley
Surrounded by the unique ecosystem of the Mojave Desert and near Joshua Tree National Park, the Town of Yucca Valley prioritizes environmental stewardship. The town partners with Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services as its exclusive franchise hauler to manage residential waste. This collaboration ensures residents receive comprehensive three-cart automated collection, focusing heavily on diverting recyclable materials and organic waste away from San Bernardino County landfills.
The Unique 'Bag Your Food Waste' Rule
In compliance with California’s SB 1383 legislation, Yucca Valley residents must divert organic materials, including food scraps, from the landfill. However, Burrtec's Low Desert division enforces a highly unique rule: residents are explicitly instructed to bag their food waste before placing it into the green organics barrel. This differs significantly from most California jurisdictions (where plastic is banned in green bins) and is designed to accommodate Burrtec’s specific regional processing methods.
Managing Desert Brush and Defensible Space
Living in a semi-arid, fire-prone environment means Yucca Valley property owners must maintain defensible space by regularly clearing dry desert brush and tumbleweeds. Your green waste barrel is essential for this task. Ensure that all yard trimmings, leaves, and branches are placed directly into the green cart. If you generate more brush than the cart can hold, do not overload it (the maximum weight is 150 lbs); contact Burrtec to discuss excess green waste options.
Dedicated Friday Bulky Item Collections
To prevent illegal dumping in the beautiful open desert landscape, Burrtec provides robust bulky item pickup services for Yucca Valley residents. You can schedule up to four free bulky waste collections per year. Notably, these scheduled pickups specifically take place on Fridays. Whether you are disposing of an old mattress, broken furniture, or large appliances, you must call Burrtec in advance to secure your spot on the Friday route.
Drop-off Facilities
Joshua Tree Household Hazardous Waste Facility
62499 Twentynine Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Materials Accepted
Burrtec Yucca Valley Facility
58925 Sunnyslope Dr, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a large item pickup in Yucca Valley?
Residents get up to four free bulky item pickups a year, which are collected on Fridays. You must call Burrtec at (760) 365-2015 at least 48 hours in advance to reserve your spot on the route.
Where can I dispose of old paint and motor oil safely?
Household hazardous waste cannot go in your curbside barrels. You can safely drop these items off at the San Bernardino County HHW collection site in Joshua Tree (62499 Twentynine Palms Hwy) every third Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Can I throw food scraps directly into my green barrel?
No. Under a specific rule for Burrtec's Low Desert division, Yucca Valley residents are required to bag their food waste before placing it into the green organics barrel. Yard trimmings, however, can go in loose.
Are plastic bags allowed in the blue recycling barrel?
No. Never put plastic bags or film in your blue recycling barrel. Recyclables must be placed loosely into the barrel so they can be properly sorted at the processing facility.