Compton, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection service
- three-container (green, blue, gray)
- First-violation fine
- $100
- Repeat-violation fine
- up to $500
- Compliance window after notice
- 60 days
- Frequency waiver option
- pickup every 14 days
- Adopted by
- Ordinance No. 2348 (2022)
Summary
Every home and business in Compton must subscribe to the City's three-container organic waste collection service under Municipal Code § 21-3.3 and § 21-3.4, sorting food scraps and yard trimmings into the green container, recyclables into blue, and trash into gray. Skipping the sorting rules brings fines starting at $100 per violation under § 21-3.14.
Single-Family Organic Waste Generators shall comply with the following requirements, except Single-Family Generators that meet the Self-Hauler requirements of the Franchise Agreement and this Code: a. Subscribe to the City's three-container Organic Waste collection service(s) performed by the Franchise Hauler pursuant to the requirements of the Franchise Agreement for all Organic Waste generated as described in paragraph b of this subsection. The City shall have the right to review the number and size of a Generator's containers to evaluate adequacy of capacity provided for each type of collection service for proper separation of materials and containment of materials; and Single-Family Generators shall adjust their service level for their collection services as requested by the City.
Full Breakdown
Compton's organic waste pickup program, added by Ordinance No. 3, unless the generator qualifies as a self-hauler under the Franchise Agreement. 3(b) requires food waste and other source-separated green container organic waste to go in the Green Container, recyclables in the Blue Container, and everything else in the Gray Container, and bars putting Gray Container material into either of the other two. 4, plus added obligations: they must provide labeled or color-coded indoor and outdoor collection containers everywhere customer disposal containers exist, train employees annually on sorting, and give new tenants that information within 14 days of moving in.
5. De minimis and other waivers are available for businesses that generate very little organic waste. 14(e). Contamination of a Blue or Green Container with the wrong material is handled separately, through the Franchise Hauler's contamination processing fees rather than a fine.
Violations & Fines
A violation occurring on or after January 1, 2024 draws a Notice of Violation and an administrative fine under § 21-3.14: $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third or later violation, with 60 days to fix the problem before further penalties apply. The City can also pursue civil action or prosecute repeated violations as a misdemeanor or infraction, and container-contamination violations are instead billed as hauler processing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Compton require residents to have three separate trash containers?
What happens if I put trash in the wrong color container in Compton?
Can I get less frequent trash pickup in Compton to save money?
How much is the fine for not subscribing to Compton's waste collection service?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
California rules heatmap·Compare Compton to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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