Los Angeles Trash & Recycling Guide 2025

Los Angeles Sanitation (LASAN) provides waste collection services to over 750,000 households across the city. Understanding your trash and recycling schedule, free bulky item pickup program, and S.A.F.E. Center locations can help you properly dispose of waste and keep Los Angeles clean.

This comprehensive resident guide covers everything Los Angeles residents need to know about trash collection, recycling, bulky item pickup, hazardous waste disposal, and electronics recycling in 2025.

Finding Your Los Angeles Trash & Recycling Schedule

How to Find Your Collection Schedule

Every Los Angeles address has specific collection days for:

Trash - Weekly collection (same day every week)
Recycling - Bi-weekly collection (every other week)
Green Waste (yard waste) - Weekly or bi-weekly depending on location

How to Find Your Schedule:

🔗 MyLA311: myla311.lacity.org or call 311

Enter your address to see:

Your specific trash collection day
Your recycling collection weeks
Green waste collection schedule
Holiday schedule changes
Bulky item pickup eligibility

Alternative Methods:

Download the MyLA311 mobile app (iOS/Android)
Check your LASAN collection cart for schedule stickers
Contact your local LASAN yard or customer service

Typical Collection Schedule

Trash Collection:

Weekly - Same day every week (Monday-Saturday)
Place carts out by 7:00 AM on collection day
Serviced: Single-family homes and buildings with 1-4 units
Carts provided by LASAN (black cart for trash)

Recycling Collection:

Every other week - Alternating weeks
Blue cart for recyclables
Place out by 7:00 AM on scheduled day
Single-stream recycling (all recyclables mixed together)

Green Waste Collection:

Weekly or bi-weekly depending on neighborhood
Green cart for yard waste and organics
Grass clippings, leaves, branches, food scraps (if enrolled)

Who LASAN Serves

Covered by LASAN:

Single-family homes
1-4 unit multi-family buildings
Some small apartment complexes

NOT Covered by LASAN:

Buildings with 5+ units (RecycLA - private hauler system)
Commercial businesses (RecycLA franchise zones)
Construction sites (private roll-off rental)

Los Angeles Holiday Collection Schedule (2025)

LASAN collection services are postponed by one day on the following holidays:

Holidays Affecting Collection (2025):

New Year's Day (January 1) - Wednesday
Memorial Day (May 26) - Monday
Independence Day (July 4) - Friday
Labor Day (September 1) - Monday
Thanksgiving Day (November 27) - Thursday
Christmas Day (December 25) - Thursday

What to Do on Holiday Weeks:

If holiday is on Thursday, Thursday collection → Friday, Friday collection → Saturday
If holiday is on your normal collection day, set out waste the next day
All collections shift one day for the rest of the week
Check sanitation.lacity.gov/holiday for updates

Los Angeles Recycling Program

What Goes in the Blue Cart

Los Angeles uses single-stream recycling - all recyclables go in the blue cart mixed together.

✅ ACCEPTED in Blue Cart:

Paper & Cardboard:

Newspapers, magazines, mail
Office paper, envelopes
Cardboard boxes (flattened)
Paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.)
Paper bags

Plastic:

Bottles and containers (#1-7)
Milk and juice jugs
Detergent bottles
Food containers (clean)
Plastic cups and lids

Metal:

Aluminum cans and foil
Tin and steel cans
Empty aerosol cans
Metal bottle caps

Glass:

Bottles and jars (all colors)
Food jars
Beverage bottles

Cartons:

Milk and juice cartons
Broth and soup cartons

❌ NOT Accepted in Blue Cart

Plastic bags and film (return to grocery stores)
Styrofoam/polystyrene
Food waste (goes in green cart if enrolled)
Diapers and hygiene products
Electronics
Batteries
Hazardous materials
Textiles and clothing
Tanglers (hoses, cords, chains)

Free Bulky Item Pickup in Los Angeles

How Los Angeles Bulky Item Collection Works

LASAN provides FREE bulky item pickup for eligible residents - up to 10 scheduled collections per year, with a limit of 10 items per collection.

How to Schedule:

Call 311 or use MyLA311 app/website
Provide your address and description of items
Schedule will be provided (typically 2-7 business days)
Place items at curb by 6:00 AM on scheduled day
Items must be visible and accessible from street

What Qualifies as Bulky Items:

Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, mattresses)
Appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers)
Carpets and rugs (bundled)
Exercise equipment
Large toys and sporting goods
Toilets, sinks, bathtubs

Annual Limits:

10 free collections per year (resets January 1)
10 items maximum per collection
Items must fit in standard collection truck

Items NOT Accepted for Bulky Pickup

❌ Car parts - Tires, engines, transmissions ❌ Construction debris - Lumber, drywall, roofing materials (requires private dumpster) ❌ Business/commercial waste - Only residential items accepted ❌ Cardboard boxes - Put in blue recycling cart instead ❌ Hazardous materials - Use S.A.F.E. Centers ❌ Large quantities of e-waste - Call 311 for special e-waste pickup

Large E-Waste Curbside Pickup

For large electronic items (TVs, computer monitors, etc.), call 311 to schedule free curbside e-waste pickup. This is separate from your bulky item allotment.

S.A.F.E. Centers: Household Hazardous Waste & E-Waste

Los Angeles operates S.A.F.E. Centers (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) for permanent drop-off of household hazardous waste and electronics.

S.A.F.E. Center Locations & Hours (2025)

All Centers Open:

Saturdays & Sundays: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
FREE for Los Angeles residents
Proof of residency may be required

Active S.A.F.E. Center Locations:

Northridge S.A.F.E. Center
- 10241 N. Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91325
- Sat-Sun: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
San Pedro S.A.F.E. Center
- 1400 N. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
- Sat-Sun: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Playa Del Rey S.A.F.E. Center
- 7660 West Imperial Highway, Gate B, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
- Sat-Sun: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sun Valley S.A.F.E. Center
- 11025 Randall Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352
- Sat-Sun: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
West Los Angeles (UCLA) S.A.F.E. Center
- 550 Charles E. Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Thu-Sat: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- E-waste accepted Saturdays only
- Note: Temporarily closed beginning May 8, 2025

Temporarily Closed:

LA/Glendale Center (4600 Colorado Boulevard) - Closed until further notice

Accepted Household Hazardous Waste at S.A.F.E. Centers

✅ Accepted HHW:

Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes
Paint thinners and solvents
Household cleaners (drain, oven, toilet bowl)
Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
Oil filters
Pool and spa chemicals
Aerosol cans (full or partially full)
Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
Mercury thermometers
Rechargeable batteries (all types)
Compressed gas cylinders (small propane tanks)
Asbestos (small quantities, residential only)
Home-generated sharps (in approved containers)
Medications (prescription and over-the-counter)

❌ NOT Accepted:

Latex/water-based paint (let dry and put in trash)
Business or commercial waste
Explosives, ammunition, fireworks
Large quantities (must be residential amounts)
Radioactive materials
Medical waste from businesses/clinics

Accepted Electronics at S.A.F.E. Centers

✅ Accepted E-Waste:

TVs and computer monitors (CRT and flat-panel)
Computers, laptops, tablets
Printers, scanners, fax machines
Cell phones and smartphones
Keyboards, mice, cables/wiring
Video game consoles
DVD/Blu-ray players, VCRs
Stereo equipment
Small appliances with cords

Data Security: Wipe data from devices before disposal.

Los Angeles Green Waste & Organics Program

Green Cart Collection

The green cart is for yard waste and, in some areas, food scraps.

✅ Accepted in Green Cart:

Grass clippings
Leaves and small branches
Garden trimmings
Plant prunings
Food scraps (if enrolled in organics program)

Organics Pilot Program:

LASAN is expanding food waste collection citywide
Check if your area is enrolled in organics pilot
If enrolled, food scraps go in green cart

❌ NOT Accepted:

Plastic bags
Pet waste
Dirt or rocks
Treated wood
Large branches (>4 inches diameter)

What NOT to Put in Los Angeles Trash

❌ Prohibited Items

Batteries (All Types):

Drop at S.A.F.E. Centers or retail locations (Best Buy, Home Depot)

Electronics:

California e-waste ban - use S.A.F.E. Centers or schedule curbside e-waste pickup

Hazardous Waste:

Paint, chemicals, solvents - S.A.F.E. Centers only

Medical Sharps:

In sealed sharps containers - drop at S.A.F.E. Centers or pharmacies

Medications:

Drop at S.A.F.E. Centers or pharmacy take-back programs

Los Angeles Waste Disposal Quick Reference

| Item Type | How to Dispose | Notes | |-----------|---------------|-------| | Regular Trash | Weekly curbside (black cart) | Out by 7 AM on collection day | | Recycling | Bi-weekly (blue cart) | Single-stream, all mixed together | | Green Waste | Weekly/bi-weekly (green cart) | Yard waste, food scraps if enrolled | | Bulky Items | Call 311 to schedule | 10 free collections/year, 10 items max | | Large E-Waste | Call 311 for pickup | TVs, monitors (separate from bulky) | | Small E-Waste | S.A.F.E. Centers | Sat-Sun 9am-3pm at 4 locations | | Hazardous Waste | S.A.F.E. Centers | Paint, chemicals, batteries, sharps | | Medications | S.A.F.E. Centers or pharmacies | Prescription and OTC accepted | | Appliances w/ Freon | Bulky pickup via 311 | Freon removal handled by LASAN |

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I find my Los Angeles trash and recycling schedule?

Use the MyLA311 app/website (myla311.lacity.org) or call 311. Enter your address to see your specific trash day (weekly) and recycling weeks (bi-weekly).

2. How many free bulky item pickups do I get in Los Angeles?

LA residents get 10 free scheduled bulky item collections per year with a limit of 10 items per collection. Schedule through 311 or MyLA311 app. The annual allotment resets January 1.

3. Where can I dispose of household hazardous waste in Los Angeles?

Drop off HHW at any S.A.F.E. Center - open every weekend (Sat-Sun 9am-3pm) at 4 locations across LA: Northridge, San Pedro, Playa Del Rey, and Sun Valley. All services are FREE for LA residents.

4. Can I get curbside pickup for old TVs and electronics?

Yes! Call 311 to schedule free curbside pickup for large electronic items like TVs and monitors. For smaller e-waste, drop off at S.A.F.E. Centers on weekends.

5. What items are NOT accepted for bulky item pickup in Los Angeles?

LASAN does NOT accept: car parts, construction debris, business/commercial waste, cardboard (use recycling), or hazardous materials. Excessive amounts may require private junk removal service.

Official Los Angeles Waste Disposal Resources

🗑️ LASAN Home: sanitation.lacity.gov

📅 MyLA311 Portal: myla311.lacity.org

☎️ 311: Call for schedule, bulky pickup, or service requests

📆 Holiday Schedule: sanitation.lacity.gov/holiday

🛋️ Bulky Item Info: sanitation.lacity.gov/bulky

☣️ S.A.F.E. Centers: sanitation.lacity.gov/safe

♻️ Trash Pick-Up Info: lacity.gov/residents/trash-recycling

About This Guide: This Los Angeles resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current LASAN policies and City of LA regulations. Policies may change - always verify current information on official lacity.gov and sanitation.lacity.gov websites.

Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: Los Angeles Sanitation (LASAN), MyLA311, lacity.gov official resources, S.A.F.E. Center information.

Los Angeles Trash & Recycling Guide 2025: LASAN Schedule, Bulky Items & S.A.F.E. Centers