Trash Pickup & Illegal Dumping
Residential and Commercial Waste Service (Black Container)
The City of South Gate contracts with Universal Waste Systems, Inc. (UWS) for trash and recycling collection services. UWS provides residential trash, recycling, and organics recycling collection service once a week, along with commercial and industrial refuse collection. For more information on services provided please contact UWS directly at (562) 334-3660 or click here to visit UWS' website.
Acceptable Materials: household trash like: Pet waste, broken glass, chip bags, paper towels, plastic bags, styrofoam and packaging, toys & textiles (donate if lightly used).
Non-Acceptable Materials: Food waste, aluminum cans, cardboard boxes, construction/demolition waste, auto parts, tires, household hazardous waste (paint, oil, household cleaners), medical or electronic waste.
Recycling Cart (Blue Container)
Accepted Materials: aluminum and steel cans, all colors of glass bottles and jars, any plastic containers labeled #1 through #7, newspapers, white ledger paper, corrugated cardboard, magazines, colored and construction paper and cereal boxes (with plastic bag removed).
Non-Acceptable Materials: Food waste, green waste (yard clippings), plastic bags, scrap metal, light bulbs, polystyrene and plastic wrap.
Make sure to place trash and recycle carts on the sidewalk/parkway of your property on your designated service day. CLICK HERE(PDF, 332KB) for more information.
To learn more about recycling practices, visit Universal Waste System's website at: https://www.uwscompany.com/cities/south-gate/ or click here for more information.
Organics Recycling Cart (Green Container)
Accepted Materials: Yard and lawn trimmings, food waste, food-solid paper & paper bags, compostable/clear plastic bags.
Non-Acceptable Materials: Recyclables, construction/demolition waste, auto parts, tires, plastic wrap, pet waste, styrofoam, fats, oils, and grease (FOG), household hazardous waste (paint, oil, household cleaners), medical or electronic waste.
Make sure to place your container on trash and recycle carts on the sidewalk/parkway of your property on your designated service day. CLICK HERE(PDF, 332KB) for more information.
To learn more about recycling practices, visit Universal Waste System's website at: https://www.uwscompany.com/cities/south-gate/ or click here for more information.
Trash Pick-up Schedule
Trash and recycling service are provided once a week. When a holiday falls on a trash and recycling collection day, collections will "shift" to the next day for the rest of the week after the holiday through Saturday. For example, if the holiday falls on a Monday, UWS will collect Monday routes on Tuesday and so on through Saturday. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay or "shift". The following holidays are observed by Universal Waste Systems: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Holiday Tree Collection
Universal Waste Systems will collect Holiday trees from South Gate residents from December 26th through the first two weeks in January. Trees should be placed on the sidewalk/pathway of the property and should not have any ornaments or lights. Holiday trees will be collected on the same day that your trash, recycling, and organic recycling carts are serviced.
How to Order a Temporary Universal Waste Metal Bin
Are you currently working on any home renovations and need a metal bin or roll off container? UWS has a temporary bin service for residents, contact Universal Waste Systems, Inc. Customer Service for pricing information at 1-800-631-7016.
Mandatory Commercial Recycling
The State of California passed Assembly Bill 341, requiring mandatory recycling starting July 1, 2012.
Assembly Bill 341 requires all businesses that generate 4 cubic yards of waste per week and multi-family dwellings with 5 or more units (such as apartments) to arrange for recycling services.
If your business or multi-family dwelling is interested in adding recycling services through Universal Waste Systems, make sure to contact Universal Waste Systems Customer Service at 1-800-631-7016.
Mandatory Commercial Recycling AB 341 Helpful Resources(PDF, 2MB)
AB 1826 and AB 341 Mandatory Recycling for Businesses and Multi-Family Complexes(PDF, 2MB)
Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling
According to Assembly Bill 1826, businesses and multi-family dwellings that generate more than 4 cubic yards of organic waste per week must have organic recycling services.
What are Organics?
Organics are defined by the State as food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed with food waste.
Businesses who generate more than the organics mandated limit need to have a food waste recycling program and multi-family dwellings that generate more than the 4 cubic yards of organics waste must be properly recycling their green waste to be in compliance with Assembly Bill 1826.
For more information about organics services in the City, contact Universal Waste Systems Customer Service at 1-800-631-7016.
AB 1826 Mandatory Recycling Businesses and Multi-Family Properties(PDF, 3MB)
AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling(PDF, 2MB)
Composting Workshops
We encourage you to attend a free Composting Workshop to improve your lawn/garden and reduce waste. CLICK HERE for a list of Los Angeles County Composting Workshops.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Do you have old cans of paint, pesticides or garden chemicals, but do not know where to dispose of them? CLICK HERE for a list of Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste events or visit one of the S.A.F.E. Centers.(PDF, 1MB)
Used motor or transmission oil can be taken to AutoZone or O'Reily Auto Parts. Contact either store for more information. about proper disposal.
Did you know it is illegal to dispose of needles in the trash or recycling bin? In fact, when disposed of improperly, needles can become a health hazard. To receive a special container for the disposal of needles, contact Waste Management Customer Service at 1-800-774-0222.
Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping is not only a shame, it is a crime! To report illegal dumping please call 323-563-9575.
Fines to property owners who cause, permit, or offer illegal dumping.
Liens against property if fines are not paid.
Impoundment of vehicles that are used for illegal dumping of commercial quantities of waste for a period up to 30 days.
Additional Resources
For more information on proper recycling and organics, visit the following sites:
CalRecycle
Los Angeles Regional Agency (LARA)
Universal Waste Systems, Inc. - City of South Gate Website