Residential Collection Services

The Resource Recovery and Recycling Division provides refuse and recycling services to residential customers. Container sizes available for refuse collection to single family homes are 65 and 95 gallon containers. Containers for multi-family buildings range from 300-gallons to 2-yd, 3-yd, and 4-yd sizes. The fees vary according to the frequency of service, as well as the number and size of containers being serviced. The standard single-family residential service level for refuse is once weekly. To see the current collection rates, click here.

CURBSIDE COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Containers (refuse, organic waste and recycling) should be placed on the street or in the alley on your scheduled collection day with the lid facing the street and handles pointing toward your home. Containers should be placed at least two feet from other collection containers and objects, such as vehicles, poles, walls, trees, street signs, and garage doors to ensure our drivers can safely collect them.

Recycling, organics, and trash containers and/or city-issued orange plastic bags for excess refuse must be placed at curbside or in the alley for collection no earlier than 4:00 p.m. on the day before your scheduled collection, and no later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of your collection. Containers must be removed from the street or alley by 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection.

OVERFLOW

If you have excess landfill trash (household waste that cannot be recycled or composted that exceeds your 95-gallon container), you may purchase a pack of five 40-gallon orange plastic bags from the Resource Recovery and Recycling Division. Place excess trash into the bag, securely fasten bag and place it next to your trash container. Collection employees will identify City bags and collect them on your regularly scheduled collection day. Current pricing for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 is $76.95. We accept credit card or check. Please call (310) 458-2246 and select option 1 from 10:00am to 3:00pm Monday - Thursday or email zerowaste@santamonica.gov to purchase a set of orange bags that can be picked up at 2500 Michigan Ave, Building A, Santa Monica, CA 90404.

You may also request an additional pickup of your trash container for an added fee. Current pricing for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 is $94.90. Please contact 311 via phone at (866) 311-7266 or via email at 311@santamonica.gov to request an additional pickup.

RECYCLING QUESTIONS

Do you have a question regarding where to recycle some hard to recycle items? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for for information on commonly requested items. If you have additional questions, please reach out to 311@santamonica.gov and we'll be happy to assist you.
Are you interested in attending one of Resource Recovery and Recycling's many annual events? Please click here for a full list of RRR's 2024 events and click here for a full list of RRR's 2025 events.

Trash pickup does not occur on the days below. Please note: Whenever a designated holiday falls on a Saturday, it shall be celebrated on the immediately preceding Friday. Whenever a designated holiday falls on a Sunday, it shall be celebrated on the immediately following Monday.

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
Presidents’ Day (third Monday of February)
Cesar Chavez Day (observed last Monday of March)
Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day (first Monday of September)
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
The Friday immediately after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas
New Year’s Eve

DAMAGED OR STOLEN CARTS?

If you need a replacement cart due to damage or theft you can request a replacement by contacting 311 via phone at (866) 311-7266 or via email at 311@santamonica.gov.

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FAQ

Where should I dispose of clothes?

An estimated 11.3 million tons of clothes end up in the landfill each year in the United States; that's around 81.5 pounds per person per year. You can help curb this waste by recycling your used clothes.

Drop off your gently used clothes, shoes, and household textiles with the knowledge that they’ll be reused.

Items accepted:

Clothes (shirts, blouses, skirts, dressed, pants, sweaters, coats, underwear, etc.)
Footwear (shoes, boots, sandals, socks, etc,)
Children’s clothing (pajamas, baby clothes, etc.)
Accessories (handbags, hats, gloves, belts, backpacks, etc.)
Linens (sheets, comforters, blankets, towels, drapes, etc.)
Toys
Pots & Pans

Items not accepted:

Damaged, ripped, torn, or soiled clothes
Puzzles/Board games
Car seats, opened diaper packs
Books
Personal hygiene products
Mattresses or pillows
Luggage
Furniture or appliances
Fabric scraps or sewing project leftovers
Tires
Food
Electronics
Yard Waste

There are many locations around the city thanks to USAgain. Just look for the tall green and white metal bins at the following locations:

Marine Park, 1406 Marine St, Santa Monica, CA
Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica, CA
Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

You can find other locations to drop of your used clothing here.

Where can I recycle carpet?

If taken to a proper facility, carpet can be recycled into a variety of new products. Please visit the following link to find a location near you that accepts carpet for recycling.

https://carpetrecovery.org/california/ca/

Where can I dispose of batteries?

Batteries are accepted in a variety of locations around the city including:

All City libraries. Click here for a list of all libraries in the City.
All Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District public schools in Santa Monica. Click here for a list of schools.
City Hall East's Public Counter - 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Swim Center - 2225 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA
Walgreens at the photo counter - 1932 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA
CVS at the photo counter - 2505 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA
Bourget Brothers - 1636 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA
Bob's Market - 1650 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA

Where can I dispose of unwanted paint?

Unwanted paint has always been the single largest type of hazardous waste generated by Santa Monica residents and convenient disposal options have never existed for painting contractors – until now. California’s PaintCare recycling network features a new statewide program funded by fees from new paint sales. To see information on PaintCare locations, accepted products, and how to contact, please visit their website by clicking here.

PaintCare sites accept house paint as well as primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish.

To be accepted for drop-off, PaintCare products must be in their original containers, no larger than 5 gallons in size, must have the original manufacturer’s printed label on the container, and must be covered with a secured lid. They cannot accept open or leaking cans or cans without labels.

PaintCare sites do not accept aerosols (spray cans), solvents, and products designed and labeled to be used for industrial or non-architectural use.

The following locations will accept your unwanted paint:

Sherwin Williams; 816 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica
Dunn-Ewards; 5777 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City
Orchard Supply; 11441 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City
Sherwin Williams; 11513 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City
Shilpark Paint; 11240 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles
Orchard Supply; 2020 S. Bundy Dr., Los Angeles
Dunn-Edwards; 11710 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles

Where can I dispose of prescription drugs?

Unwanted or expired prescription drugs can now be safely disposed of at many locations around Santa Monica. This service helps to act as a safeguard against harmful contaminants entering the environment. It is important to remember that medications should never be flushed down the toilet or thrown into the trash.

Locations:

CVS Pharmacy #9608

Address: 2505 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Accepted: Prescription medications (scheduled II-V controlled and non-controlled), over the counter medications, liquid medication bottles (less than 4oz in zip lock bag)

Not Accepted: illegal (schedule I) drugs, needles/syringes or sharps containers, medical devices and batteries, aerosol cans and inhalers, chemicals, mercury-containing devices.

Hours: Open 24 hours a day.

CVS Pharmacy #3903

Address: 3202 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Accepted: Prescription medications (scheduled II-V controlled and non-controlled), over the counter medications, liquid medication bottles (less than 4oz in zip lock bag)

Not Accepted: illegal (schedule I) drugs, needles/syringes or sharps containers, medical devices and batteries, aerosol cans and inhalers, chemicals, mercury-containing devices.

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday: 11:00am - 5:00pm

CVS Pharmacy #11178

Address: 500 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Accepted: Prescription medications (scheduled II-V controlled and non-controlled), over the counter medications, liquid medication bottles (less than 4oz in zip lock bag)

Not Accepted: illegal (schedule I) drugs, needles/syringes or sharps containers, medical devices and batteries, aerosol cans and inhalers, chemicals, mercury-containing devices.

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday: 11:00am - 5:00pm

UCLA 26th Street Pharmacy

Address: 1223 26th Street Room 1202, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Accepted: Controlled Schedule II-V and non-controlled medications

Please place containers with liquid medication in Ziplock bags. Containers with liquids should be 4 oz or smaller.

Not Accepted: Needles/syringes or sharps, Schedule I medications

Hours: M-F 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun closed

Outside of Santa Monica, there are several additional Safe Drug Drop-Off Program Locations at sheriff stations throughout Los Angeles County. Click here for a list of locations.

To find another location near you that may take your unused medication click here.

If you'd like a mail-in option Sharps Inc. offers a service that allows you to mail in medications and over-the-counter drugs; this option is not available for controlled prescription drugs. You can use this link to order prepaid envelopes and boxes.

Where can I recycle plastic bags?

Plastic bags are the most common source of marine debris, where they can be mistaken as food by sea life and aquatic birds.

Grocery store plastic bags, unfortunately, aren't recyclable in the blue containers due to the possibility of them getting stuck in the machinery at recycling facilities. Fortunately, certain stores near Santa Monica will take your unwanted plastic bags and recycle them for you. Before dropping off your bags make sure you empty them of all contents, including receipts, stickers, and crumbs.

Before visiting a listed location, please confirm their ongoing collection of plastic bags.
The following locations are confirmed as of November 2023:

Sprout's Farmers Market
8985 Venice Blvd, Ste. B
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(424) 361-6611
The collection bin is located outside the front entrance

Sprout's Farmers Market
5660 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 591-1028
The collection bin is located outside the front entrance

We encourage you to let your local stores know that you appreciate the recycling they are providing or to remind them that having a collection bin for bags is important to customers like you.

You may visit the NexTrex website to find more stores that may recycle your plastic bags.