Whittier, CA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

115 of the Whittier Municipal Code governs commercial and industrial solid waste containers, requiring every commercial or industrial premises to use a container furnished by the city or its city-approved collector unless the public works director grants a specific exemption. Under subsection F, the person occupying or controlling the unit must remove garbage, trash or refuse at least once per week, or more often if needed, to keep material from piling up above the closed-lid capacity of the containers on site. Subsection H requires that any container left outdoors be stored with its lid closed or otherwise securely fastened so pests, illegal dumping and scavenging are kept out and rain is excluded, and material inside must stay contained until a collection vehicle or authorized person empties it.

If a business routinely lets waste spill or scatter from its dumpster, the public works director or a designee can require it to subscribe to locking bin service through the city's solid waste contractor under subsection G. Subsection I directs bulky construction and demolition byproducts, such as dirt, sod, rock, brick, concrete, plaster, roofing material, lumber, construction metal and large appliances, out of automated containers and compactors entirely; those materials must go into a temporary bin or roll-off container obtained through an authorized city contractor.

Restaurant food waste has its own rule under subsection J: it must be bagged in closed plastic bags before it goes into any solid waste container or compactor. 150.