Whittier, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Container types required
- Refuse, green waste, recycling (§8.12.110(A))
- Minimum removal frequency
- At least once per week
- Contamination ban
- No refuse/green waste in recycling cart (§8.12.110(I))
- Cross-contamination ban
- No recyclables/green waste in refuse cart (§8.12.110(J))
- Manual container cap
- 33 gallons, 50 lbs loaded (§8.12.110(M))
Summary
Whittier requires the city or its contractor to furnish every residence a separate recyclable-materials container alongside refuse and green waste carts under Section 8.12.110(A). Putting refuse, green waste or any non-recyclable material into the recycling container is unlawful under Section 8.12.110(I), and customers must remove trash at least weekly to keep containers from overflowing.
Separate residential containers, including but not limited to residential refuse, green waste and recyclable material containers, shall be furnished to each premises by the city or its approved contractor for green waste, recyclables, and all other residential refuse, unless otherwise exempted by this chapter or specifically approved by the director of public works. Each container shall be kept clean and in a sanitary condition by the resident or property owner of the premises that said container serves. ... It is unlawful for any person to introduce residential refuse, green waste, hazardous waste, biohazardous waste, universal waste, or any materials which are not recyclable material into a container designated for recyclable materials.
Full Breakdown
Section 8.12.110(A) requires the city or its approved contractor to furnish separate residential containers, refuse, green waste and recyclable material carts, to every premises, unless the customer is exempted under the chapter or has separate approval from the public works director. Each container must be kept clean and sanitary by the resident or property owner it serves. Subsection B requires residents to remove garbage, trash or refuse at least once a week so material does not exceed the container's capacity with the lid closed, and to subscribe to additional container service if weekly generation regularly exceeds that capacity.
Contamination rules protect the recycling stream: Section 8.12.110(H) makes it unlawful to put refuse or non-green-waste material into a green waste container, Section 8.12.110(I) makes it unlawful to put refuse, green waste or non-recyclable material into a recycling container, and Section 8.12.110(J) makes it unlawful to put recyclables or green waste into a refuse container. Subsection D separately bars anyone from overfilling a container so its contents spill or blow around, and Subsection F bars anyone from setting refuse or recyclables out at a premises other than the one that generated the material.
Violations & Fines
Contaminating a recycling container with refuse, green waste or other non-recyclable material violates Section 8.12.110(I). The public works director can, for good cause, require a customer to move to locking bin service under Section 8.12.115(G) when material is routinely strewn about, and improperly placed containers or bulky waste left out at the wrong time can be cited as a public nuisance under Section 8.12.140.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Whittier require a separate recycling bin?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whittier
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