Trash Pickup & Illegal Dumping

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.

SB1383 Organics Recycling

In compliance with California law the City of South Gate requires that all residential, commercial, and industrial properties within the City subscribe to regular trash, traditional recycling, and organics recycling. For more information on required programs visit the State's website here: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/.

Universal Waste System (UWS) offers several services including collection of mandatory organics recycling. For more information please visit UWS' website here: https://www.uwscompany.com/south-gate/ or contact UWS directly at (562) 334-3660.

Residential and Commercial Waste Service (Black Container)

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. 

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.

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 Schedule 2024.png

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.

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