Trash & Recycling in El Monte, CA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for El Monte, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
El Monte single-family homes receive curbside pickup of trash (brown cart), recyclables (blue cart), and organics/green waste (green cart) under an exclusive franchise with Valley Vista Services. Each cart must be used for its designated material stream.
Three-Cart Curbside Service via Valley Vista
Some RestrictionsCal. SB 1383 (2016) - Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (Organic Waste Recycling)
It is the intent of the Legislature to support the adoption of policies that improve organics recycling and innovative, cost effective, and environmentally beneficial uses of biomethane derived from solid waste facilities. (c) It is intent of the Legislature that the disposal reduction targets established pursuant to Section 39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code shall serve as a statewide avera...
Bin Placement Rules
Residents must place carts at the curb the night before their scheduled service day and remove them promptly after collection. Leaving carts at the curb between service days is a municipal-code violation.
Carts Out the Night Before, Back In After Collection
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Each El Monte single-family home is entitled to 20 free bulky-item pickups per year through Valley Vista Services. Pickups must be scheduled at least one day in advance and items may only be set out the night before the scheduled collection day.
20 Free Bulky-Item Pickups Per Year
Few RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
El Monte Ordinance #3006 (Chapter 8.21 of the Municipal Code, adopted October 5, 2021) implements California SB 1383 and requires every residential, commercial, and multi-family premises in the city to subscribe to the City's organic waste reduction program and properly source-separate recyclables and organics.
Mandatory Blue-Cart Recycling + Organics (Ordinance 3006 / SB 1383)
Heavy RestrictionsIllegal Dumping
Illegal dumping of waste on any public or private property in El Monte is prosecuted under California Penal Code §374.3 with mandatory fines escalating from $250 to $3,000 for infractions, and up to $10,000 (or $20,000 for businesses with 10+ employees) for commercial-quantity misdemeanors that can also carry jail time.
Illegal Dumping – Penal Code §374.3 + Local Enforcement
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
Yard waste in El Monte must be source-separated into the green organics cart along with food scraps under Ordinance #3006 (Chapter 8.21). Bundled tree branches that don't fit in the cart can be taken under the bulky-item program (up to 20 free pickups per year).
Green-Cart Organics: Yard Waste + Food Scraps Together
Some RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement El Monte city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Los Angeles County →