FAQs • Rancho Palos Verdes, CA • CivicEngage

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Solid Waste & Recycling

1. Who is my authorized residential trash hauler?: EDCO services 95% of the City and Universal Waste Systems (UWS) services 5% of the City. UWS services primarily the Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) area and Portuguese Bend Landslide areas of the City. Call UWS at 800-631-7016.The map below shows EDCO and UWS's service areas. You may also check the public works page or call Public Works Department at 310-544-5252 for more information. Call 310-540-2977 to contact the EDCO with any questions or concerns. EDCO and UWS Collection Days (PDF)

2. When is my trash and recycling day?: The City is divided into different service areas. Each area has once a week trash, recycling, and green waste collection. All items are collected on the same day, but by 3 separate trucks. Place trash in the gray, recycling in the blue, and yard waste in the green colored carts. Check RPV's Collection Days map for dates. EDCO and UWS Collection Days (PDF)

3. How many containers do I receive? Can I order more?: You will receive 1 gray cart for trash, 1 blue cart for recycling and 1 green cart for yard waste. Carts are available in 3 sizes: small (35 gallon), medium (64 gallon), and large (96 gallon). You may choose the size of your carts, and mix and match them. Additional carts are available upon request. There is an additional cost for extra trash carts. However, blue recycling carts are provided free of charge. You may also receive up to 3 free green waste carts. All material must be placed inside the automated carts. Material left on the street (outside the carts), or in bags or boxes will not be collected. Remember each material is collected separately and by different trucks. Please do not commingle trash with your recycling and/or green waste.This may contaminate the entire truckload, and then they may not be recycled.

4. What is my monthly rate? Are there any discounts available?: Your monthly rate is based on the size of your trash cart. The size and quantity of the recycling cart(s) will not affect your rate. There is a 5% annual pre-payment discount and a 10% discount for senior citizens 65 and older. Rates and Discount Form

5. What items go in the blue recycling carts?: View a list of items that are acceptable to put in your recycling cart. Acceptable Items

6. How do I get more recycling carts? What about extra trash carts?: Call your hauler for additional containers. Each customer receives free blue recycling carts and up to 3 free green waste carts. Additional green carts (in excess of 3) are at a nominal monthly fee. There is a fee for additional trash carts. Your monthly rate is based on the size and the number of your trash cart(s), not based on your recycling carts.

7. I have a large property and generate a lot of yard waste. How can I recycle my green waste?: Place your yard waste in the green colored cart(s) for yard waste recycling. Green waste is collected by a designated truck and later are taken to a green waste processing / recycling facility. You may get up to 3 green carts free of charge. Tied bundles are also acceptable. Additionally, the City offers 2 Citywide brush-clearing events a year. One is held in Fall and the other in Spring of each year. For exact dates please check the City's website, or your EDCO billing inserts. Please do not place yard waste in plastic bags. They will not be collected because plastic bags are not accepted at the green waste processing facility.

8. What happens to my recycling items?: Commingled recyclables are taken to a recycling processing center, sorted, and sold as scrap to different companies. Green waste is taken to a green waste processing center and is turned into mulch and/or is used as alternative daily cover. The City gets diversion credit for recycling these material.

9. Why should I recycle? Is it mandatory to recycle?: Rancho Palos Verdes does not have a mandatory recycling ordinance. However, in 2012, the state passed the Mandatory Commercial Recycling (SB 341). Additionally, there are several good reasons why you are strongly encouraged to recycle. Why Recycling Is Important

10. What is a Pup Service, and who is on that route?: The City has some hard to reach homes and narrow / steep streets.Therefore, a regular sized trash truck can not service those areas properly. A smaller (Pup) truck services those areas. There is an additional monthly fee for this service .Approximately 5% of the City homes are serviced by the Pup truck. These streets are mostly off of PVDE.

11. How do I get rid of my old paint? Can I throw it in with my trash?: Paint (water or oil based), herbicides, pesticides and batteries, fluorescent lights, medical sharps, etc. are all considered household hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in the trash. They should be disposed properly. Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

12. I'm remodeling my house. I need a large dumpster. What company can I use and do I need a permit?: The City has several authorized commercial haulers. Below is a list of the City's authorized commercial haulers who can provide various sized dumpsters and roll-off boxes for your remodeling / construction work.

You will need an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department if the roll off is placed on the street or in the public right of way. The permit is approximately $100 (this amount may change annually). Either the property owner or contractor may apply for the permit. However, if the roll-off or bin is placed on private property (driveway, yard) no permit is needed. Authorized Commercial Haulers (PDF)

13. How do I get rid of my old electronics and/or appliances?: Any item that is in working condition or in good shape may be picked up by charities such as Goodwill (562-435-7741), Salvation Army (800-958-7825), United Cancer Research Society (800-443-4224), and St. Vincent de Paul (800-974-3571), to name a few. If you donate, you may obtain a tax-deductible receipt. Your trash hauler also provides up to 4 free bulky collections (sofa, desk, bed, mattress, and dishwasher, etc.) per year, and each time up to 4 items is acceptable. You must call them first. Call your trash hauler and arrange for a free pickup. Then leave items at the curb for pickup on that scheduled date.

14. I like to try to compost my kitchen scarp and yard waste. Do you have any programs?: The City of Rancho Palos Verdes typically hosts 1 County sponsored composting workshop a year. Other regular workshops are held at the South Coast Botanical Garden on Crenshaw Boulevard in the neighboring City of Rolling Hills Estates. Compost Programs

15. When are your paper / document shredding events? What are the rules?: EDCO and the City sponsor 2 free paper / document shredding events. It is open to Rancho Palos Verdes residents only. One is typically held in late April and the other in late October. For more information, please check the City's website, or join the solid waste and composting list server. Unwanted electronics is also collected at the same time. Free mulch is provided to interested residents also.

16. How do I get a senior citizen discount?: Seniors 65 and older are eligible for a 10% discount off of their monthly rate. An application form and some backup documentation is required. Completed forms can be mailed or faxed to your hauler. Alternatively bring your documents in person to Rancho Palos Verdes Public Works for an over-the-counter application and verification. Senior Discount Form (PDF)