Pico Rivera, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Section 8.12.470 makes it unlawful for any person, collector, or salvage collector to engage in collecting, caring for, conveying, salvaging, or transporting solid waste or recyclable material anywhere within city limits without the express written consent of the city council, granted by franchise or permit, or by the city manager where authorized. This locks recycling and trash pickup to the city's exclusive franchised hauler rather than allowing independent haulers or scavengers to work the city. Section 8.12.480 backs that exclusivity at the container level: it is unlawful to use containers for collecting, depositing, or transporting solid waste, commercial solid waste, construction and demolition debris, green waste, or recyclable material unless the container was issued by the collector or by a salvage collector the city manager has authorized to issue containers.

A container that does not meet this requirement, such as one placed curbside by an unauthorized hauler, is subject to removal under Section 8.12.520, and the city may impound it without notice to its owner and later recover the impounded container only after payment of a fee tied to the city's daily service rate plus processing and storage charges. Together these two sections mean that residents cannot hire an outside recycler to pick up materials, cannot use a container that was not issued through the city's franchise system, and cannot informally scavenge recyclables set out for collection, since only the authorized collector or salvage collector may lawfully gather them under Section 8.12.470.