Understanding Trash and Recycling Collection in Downey, California

Downey, California provides trash and recycling collection services to residents and businesses in the city. This article will explain the regular collection schedule, what items are accepted, holiday schedule changes, and other key details to help Downey residents and visitors properly manage waste and recycling.

Regular Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule

• Trash collection occurs once per week on a set schedule depending on your location in Downey. Most residences have collection on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays.

• Recycling collection occurs every other week on the same day as your regular trash pickup.

• Green waste collection for yard trimmings also follows the every other week schedule.

• Street sweeping occurs weekly on set days depending on your neighborhood. Streets are swept rain or shine.

• You can look up your specific trash, recycling, green waste, and street sweeping schedule by checking the collection schedule maps.

• Trash, recycling, and green waste carts should be placed curbside by 7AM on collection days, but no earlier than 6PM the evening before.

• Carts must be removed from the curb by the end of the collection day.

Holiday Schedule Changes

• On most major holidays, trash and recycling collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.

• Street sweeping still occurs on holidays unless it falls on a Sunday.

• Specific holiday collection schedules are published annually by the City of Downey Public Works department.

• The holiday collection schedule lets you look up adjusted collection days when holidays impact the regular trash, recycling, green waste and street sweeping schedules.

Bulky Item and Excess Waste Collection

• Downey allows up to 2 extra bulky items like furniture or appliances to be collected on your regular pickup day at no extra charge.

• You must schedule bulky item pickup at least 1 day in advance by calling the hauler Athens Services at 562-259-1239.

• Up to 4 extra bags of excess trash can be collected by purchasing excess waste stickers for $5.19 per tag from City Hall, public works counters, and other locations. Tags must be affixed to any extra bags set out for collection.

• Bulky electronic waste like TVs and computer monitors have separate collection days and require calling Athens Services to schedule pickup. They cannot be left curbside without scheduling collection.

Hazardous and Toxic Waste Disposal

• Hazardous household chemicals like cleaners, oils, batteries, and paint must be disposed of properly.

• Downey holds regular drop-off events for proper hazardous waste disposal.

• The Too Toxic to Trash program lists upcoming hazardous waste collection events.

• Between events, you can take hazardous waste to the permanent S.A.F.E. Center located in Whittier.

Recycling Correctly

• Downey recycles paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic containers, and milk jugs.

• Recyclables should be empty, clean and dry before placing in your blue recycling cart.

• Avoid wishcycling – only items on the recycling do’s and don’ts guide can go in your curbside bin.

• Use the recycling facility finder from Athens Services for drop-off recycling of items not accepted curbside.

Yard Waste and Food Scraps Recycling

• Grass clippings, leaves, branches and other green waste is collected curbside every other week for composting.

• Place yard waste in your green cart or bundle branches. No plastic bags.

• Food scraps and food-soiled paper can also be composted by placing in your green waste cart.

• Use BPI-certified compostable bags if containing food waste to your green cart. No plastic bags.

Large Item and Brush Collection

• For large piles of green waste like tree branches and shrub clippings, Downey offers on-call brush collection.

• Request brush collection by contacting Downey Public Works department directly.

• You can also self-haul brush, grass, leaves, lumber and tree parts to the Puente Hills Landfill yourself for no fee if you have proof of Downey residency.

Contact Information for Downey Waste and Recycling

• Downey Public Works Department – (562) 904-7194

• Hauler Athens Services for trash and recycling – (562) 259-1239

• City of Downey Holiday Collection Schedule

• Downey Collection Maps and Pickup Calendar

Following proper trash, recycling and green waste collection guidelines ensures our community stays clean while recovering resources responsibly. Check the resources above if you need help with Downey waste and recycling services.