Yard Waste Collection: Carson vs El Monte
How do yard waste collection rules compare between Carson, CA and El Monte, CA?
Carson and El Monte have similar restriction levels.
Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
Yard waste in Carson goes in the 96-gallon GREEN-lid organics cart along with food scraps — that is the SB 1383 organics stream. Branches, leaves, grass clippings, prunings and small wood are all accepted. Items too large to fit in the cart can be scheduled as a free bulky pickup with Waste Resources ("large yard waste" is an eligible bulky category). Open burning of yard waste is prohibited under South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 444 and Health & Safety Code §41800 et seq.; stockpiling green waste so it becomes a nuisance is a CMC code-enforcement violation.
View full Carson rules →El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
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).
View full El Monte rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Yard waste cart | 96-gal GREEN-lid organics cart (commingled with food scraps) | Green (organics) cart only |
| What's accepted | Grass, leaves, weeds, prunings, small branches | - |
| Oversize branches | Schedule as free bulky pickup (up to 5 items/qtr SFR) | - |
| Open burning | Prohibited — SCAQMD Rule 444 + H&S Code §41800 | - |
| State framework | SB 1383 / PRC §42652 et seq. mandatory organics diversion | - |
| Combined with food scraps? | - | Yes – single-stream organics |
| Plastic bags allowed? | - | No – compostable bags only |
| Oversized branches | - | Bundle and schedule bulky pickup |
| Backyard burning of yard waste | - | Prohibited (SCAQMD Rule 444) |
| Backyard composting | - | Allowed |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Carson FAQ
Where does yard waste go in Carson?
In the 96-gallon GREEN-lid organics cart, mixed with food scraps. SB 1383 (PRC §42652) makes that diversion mandatory statewide. Carson does not run a separate green-waste-only cart.
Can I burn leaves or yard trimmings in my backyard?
No. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited under California Health & Safety Code §41800 and South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 444. Civil penalties can reach $1,000 per day.
What do I do with large tree branches that don't fit the cart?
Schedule a free bulky-item pickup with Waste Resources at (310) 366-7600 — "large yard waste" is an eligible category in your quarterly free pickup of up to 5 items.
El Monte FAQ
Can I bag my grass clippings in a black plastic bag for the green cart?
No. Plastic bags contaminate the organics stream. Empty the clippings loose into the green cart, or use a certified compostable bag (BPI-certified).
My tree branches are too long for the cart — what do I do?
Tie them in bundles no longer than ~4 feet and schedule a free bulky-item pickup with Valley Vista (800-442-6454). Bundled branches are an accepted bulky item and use 1 of your 20 annual pickups.
Can I burn dry leaves in my backyard?
No. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited in the South Coast Air Basin under SCAQMD Rule 444. Use the green organics cart or backyard composting instead.
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