Pickup Rules & Schedules: Carson vs South Gate
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Carson, CA and South Gate, CA?
Carson and South Gate have similar restriction levels.
Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
Carson awards an exclusive solid-waste / residential-recycling franchise under Carson Municipal Code Article 5, Chapter 2 (Collection of Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials). Waste Resources is the current franchised hauler for all residential, multi-family and commercial accounts in the city; using any other paid hauler is a code violation. Standard 1-4 unit service includes a 96-gallon black-lid trash cart, 96-gallon blue-lid recycling cart, and 96-gallon green-lid organics cart, with weekly curbside collection on an assigned day.
View full Carson rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate contracts exclusively with Universal Waste Systems (UWS) for residential and commercial collection. UWS services customers Monday through Saturday, and residents use a three-cart system (black trash, blue recycling, green organics) consistent with California SB 1383.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise hauler | Waste Resources — exclusive city franchise (CMC Art. 5 Ch. 2) | - |
| Customer service | (310) 366-7600 | 562-334-3660 / SGCustomerService@uwscompany.com |
| Standard carts | 96-gal BLACK trash, 96-gal BLUE recycling, 96-gal GREEN organics | - |
| Frequency | Weekly curbside, assigned day | - |
| Holiday rule | Weekday holiday → service slides one day later for the rest of the week | - |
| Exclusive hauler | - | Universal Waste Systems (UWS) |
| Service days | - | Monday–Saturday (route varies by address) |
| Cart system | - | 3-cart: black trash, blue recycling, green organics |
| State law | - | California SB 1383 (organics diversion) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Carson FAQ
Can I hire a different trash hauler in Carson?
No. Carson Municipal Code Article 5 Chapter 2 grants Waste Resources an exclusive residential and commercial solid-waste / recycling franchise. Using a non-franchised paid hauler is a code violation.
What if a holiday falls on my pickup day?
If a holiday lands on a weekday, your pickup and every remaining pickup that week slides one day later. A Thursday holiday means Thursday routes run Friday and Friday routes run Saturday.
Do I have to take all three carts?
Yes for single-family service — SB 1383 requires organics collection statewide, and Carson's standard service bundles trash + recycling + organics. Additional blue or green carts are free on request.
South Gate FAQ
Can I opt out of City trash service?
No. South Gate has an exclusive franchise with Universal Waste Systems; all residential and commercial properties must subscribe.
When did the 3-cart program start?
January 1, 2023, when UWS rolled out new black/blue/green carts to comply with California SB 1383 organics-diversion rules.
What day is my pickup?
Pickup day depends on your address. Call UWS at 562-334-3660 or check sortwastesg.org for the route map.
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