Yard Waste Collection: Carson vs South Gate
How do yard waste collection rules compare between Carson, CA and South Gate, CA?
Carson and South Gate 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 →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
Yard waste goes in the green cart together with food scraps under California SB 1383. South Gate residents receive green-cart service from Universal Waste Systems; mixing organics with regular trash violates state organics-diversion law.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Yard waste cart | 96-gal GREEN-lid organics cart (commingled with food scraps) | - |
| 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 | - |
| State authority | - | SB 1383 / Pub. Res. Code §42652 |
| Green cart | - | Yard waste + food scraps combined |
| Pickup frequency | - | Weekly with trash and recycling |
| Branch limits | - | Typically under 4 ft / 4 in. diameter for cart |
| Overflow option | - | Schedule bulky pickup or self-haul to LACSD Transfer Station |
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.
South Gate FAQ
Can I put food scraps in the green cart?
Yes — SB 1383 requires it. Combine kitchen food waste (fruits/veg, meat, dairy, bread, food-soiled paper) with yard trimmings in the green cart.
Can I bag yard waste in plastic?
No. Plastic contaminates the organics stream. Place yard waste loosely in the green cart or use paper bags.
What if I have too many branches?
Schedule a bulky pickup with UWS (10 free items/month) or self-haul to the LA County Sanitation Districts' South Gate Transfer Station.
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