Orange County, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Service Model
- County-franchised haulers by community (OC Waste & Recycling)
- Frequency
- Once each week (trash & recycling)
- No-Collection Holidays
- 6 legal holidays; service delayed 1 day after weekday holiday
- Cart Sizes
- 35, 65, or 95 gallons (trash/recycling/organics)
- Discounts
- ~10% for seniors 65+ and qualifying low-income
- WM Customer Service
- (949) 642-1191 (WM-served areas)
Summary
In unincorporated Orange County, OC Waste & Recycling franchises specific haulers by community: Waste Management, CR&R, Republic Services, and Midway City Sanitary District serve different areas. Residential trash and recycling collection is provided once each week, and there is no collection on six legal holidays (with service delayed one day after a weekday holiday).
SB 1383, Lara. Short-lived climate pollutants: methane emissions: dairy and livestock: organic waste: landfills. (1) The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency charged with monitoring and regulating sources of emissions of greenhouse gases. The state board is required to approve a statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit equivalent to the statewide greenhouse gas emissions level in 1990 to be achieved by 2020. The state board is also required to complete a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, as defined, in the state. This bill would require the state board, no later than January 1,
Full Breakdown
Trash collection in unincorporated Orange County is provided through County-franchised haulers, not by a single county crew, so the hauler depends on your community. Per OC Waste & Recycling's list of waste haulers for unincorporated areas, Waste Management of Orange County serves communities such as Coto De Caza, Ladera Ranch, North Tustin/Cowan Heights/Lemon Heights, Orange Park Acres, and Silverado/Trabuco Canyon; CR&R serves El Modena, Rossmoor, Santa Ana Heights, and others; Republic Services serves several island areas; and Midway City Sanitary District serves Midway City residents.
The County of Orange Unincorporated Waste Management Residential Service Guide states residential trash and recycling collection is provided once each week, with the schedule available from the hauler. There is no collection on six legal holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day; residential service is delayed one day following those weekday holidays, with no delay if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Senior residents (65+, head of household, using 35-gallon carts) and qualifying low-income residents may receive an approximately 10% discount. The hauler provides 35-, 65-, and 95-gallon wheeled carts for trash, recyclables, and organics.
Violations & Fines
Collection-program compliance is administered by the franchised hauler and OC Waste & Recycling. Improper container use (overfilling, contamination, or improper storage) can result in non-service, and repeated SB 1383 contamination may lead to notices of violation, penalties, or denial of service. Property-side storage of refuse/waste over 7 days is separately a County nuisance (Sec. 3-13-3(f)(3)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my trash in unincorporated Orange County?
Is there trash collection on holidays?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
California rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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