Long Beach Recycles

Refuse Collection 101

• When and where should I set my cart(s) out for collection?

  Follow the guide below to ensure your trash, recycling, and organics carts are set up correctly on your designated collection day.

  • Collection can occur anytime between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
  • Place all carts out in the alley or curbside by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Carts must be returned to the property premises within 12 hours after they have been emptied. 
  • Leave two (2) feet of space between trash, recycling, and organics carts (or parked cars). 
  • Place all contents inside your cart. The automated system cannot collect trash, recycling, or organics set out in containers other than those provided, such as bags or boxes. 
  • Make sure the arrow on the lid is pointing toward the street and the lid is closed. 
  • Avoid overfilling the cart. The automated system works most effectively when the lid is completely closed. Do not place more than 200 pounds in your 95-gallon cart, or more than 150 pounds in your 65-gallon cart. 

• What should I do if my collection is missed?

  Account holders are advised to ensure that carts are placed at the curb or in the alley by 6:00 AM on the scheduled service date and left out until 6:00 PM.

  Missed collections may be reported after 6:00 PM via: Report a Problem Form.
  

  The cart should be left out and accessible for collection the following day.

• What is the process to exchange my cart(s)?

  Exchanges are processed at the earliest available date based on inventory and delivery schedules. 

  • To request a cart, submit a request online.
  • Cart sizes are available in 95-gallon, 65-gallon, and 35-gallon.
    • We’re currently out of 35-gallon and 65-gallon trash carts. They’ll be restocked in November. Customers requesting exchanges via the form will be scheduled after the new carts arrive.
    • If you recently received a new cart, customers are asked to wait at least two weeks, preferably longer, after receiving their new cart before submitting a size-change request.
  • In accordance with Chapter 8.60.020 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, exchanges are permitted once every six months. For residents opting to reduce their cart size, City staff will monitor for potential overage issues. If no concerns are identified, the new size will be maintained; however, if safety, overage, or service complications arise, the cart will be reverted back to the standard 95-gallon size.
  • If a reduced organics cart is requested and no concerns are identified, and the size was not available at the time of the request, a bill credit will be provided to the customer’s account backdated to the date of the exchange requested through the online form.

• When is my collection day?

  Use the MapIt Application to access your trash, recycling, and organics collection day, street sweeping information, and more. 

  • How To Use MapIt:
    • Load MapIt 
    •  Enter your address
    • Scroll down to “Trash, Recycling, and Organics Pickup Day” and find your service days along with information about other City services. Recyclables and organics are collected each week on the same day as your trash.
  • Trash, recycling, and organics are collected on all holidays except*:
    • Christmas (December 25)
    • New Year's Day (January 1).

  *When Christmas and New Year's Day fall on a weekday, collection for the holiday and the remainder of that week will be delayed one day, ending on Saturday.  

• What CAN go in the Trash, Recycling, and Organics carts?

  View and download the Recycling/Refuse Guidelines, available in: 

  English
  Khmer
  Spanish
  Tagalog

  View organics collection resources, guidelines, and accepted materials.

• What Can Never Go in Any Cart?

  • Household hazardous waste (HHW) (paint, motor oil, gasoline, household cleaners, etc.) 
  • Rocks, concrete, or dirt 
  • Hot ashes
  • Debris from construction, remodeling, or demolition
  • Heavy or oversized items that require a special collection pickup 

• Where does the City’s trash go?

  As of February 2024, refuse is delivered daily to local transfer station facilities and then transported to landfills in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Previously, Long Beach's refuse was taken to the Southeast Resource Recovery Facility (SERRF), which closed in February 2024. Read more information on SERRF's closure.