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Recycle


Why Recycle?

Each day the average American throws out 4 1/2 pounds of trash. In the past, most of this trash was buried in landfills. Today, our landfills are filling up quickly. Recycling is one of the easiest ways that we can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Also, recycling helps to stabilize our trash collection rates by controlling the volume of waste dumped in landfills.

The Garden Grove Sanitary District takes a unique approach to waste disposal with Recycle Garden Grove, an innovative program that combines automated trash collection with a broad recycling and yard waste collection operation. In a joint effort by the Sanitary District and Republic Services, Recycle Garden Grove is designed to reduce the volume of waste dumped in our local landfills and to conserve our natural resources. This automated waste collection and recycling program has been successfully implemented in many surrounding communities with excellent results.

Participation in Recycle Garden Grove allows residents to significantly help decrease the amount of trash buried in local landfills and to help the City comply with the state's strict recycling laws. According to Assembly Bill 939, each city must reduce their waste by 75 percent by the year 2020.

The Recycle Garden Grove program allows the City to recycle many types and quantities of recyclable items and yard waste, instead of dumping it in the landfill. Recycling allows us to conserve our country's natural resources by providing alternative sources for aluminum, paper, glass and plastics and other recyclable items.

How It Works

The Recycle Garden Grove program was designed with you in mind and requires very little extra effort. The program uses three, 110-gallon containers: a green container for recyclable items, a brown container for yard waste, and a black container for trash. These specially designed containers, provided by Garden Grove Disposal, are lightweight with built-in wheels for easy movement.

Recycle Garden Grove's automated refuse collection system uses modern, robotic trucks to empty its containers. For your added convenience, the black, green, and brown containers will be collected on the same day each week. Remember, any waste placed outside of the special containers, or in non-automated trash cans, cannot be collected with our automated service.

Your participation and support of Recycle Garden Grove is a big step towards solving our waste problems now and into the future. Recycling .... it works because of you!

Used Oil Pick Up

Dumping used motor oil and filters is illegal in the State of California. Used motor oil is a hazardous waste to humans and the environment, and it is unlawful to dump used motor oil into trash cans, storm drains, sewers, rivers, or on the ground.

Used motor oil and filters can be recycled! Oil can be used as a replacement fuel or re-refined. Filters are recycled into new metal products. Californians currently recycle over 100 million gallons of used oil every year!

Residents have the option within the City for recycling used motor oil by taking their oil to a State Certified Collection Center, see PDF above for details, or to participate in the City’s free Residential Collection Program. For more information, call the City Used Motor Oil Recycled Administrator at (714) 741-5554 or visit the California used oil recycling program website. To schedule a pick up, call (800) 449-7587.

You make the call, and we come to your house and collect your used motor oil and filters. The collection is FREE, the phone call is FREE. Call now! (800) 449-7587

To participate in Garden Grove’s Residential Used Motor Oil Recycling Program, follow these few simple steps:

*Drain your oil into a clean, sealed plastic container not larger than 5 gallons, and not more than 20 gallons.

  • Use milk jugs, oil bottles, or water bottles with a lid.
  • Place oil filters into a plastic bag and seal it.
  • Call the 800 number to schedule a collection.
  • On your scheduled collection day, place the items by your front door or on your driveway as directed.
  • The collection crew will arrive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and will put the items into a spill-proof container in the collection vehicle
  • No spills, No mess, That’s It!

Questions and Answers


What day will my used motor oil and filters be collected?

Your used oil and filters will be collected by appointment. You will be informed of the next scheduled collection when you call (800) 449-7587.

Can I put paint, antifreeze, and other household hazardous waste out for collection?

No. This program is only accepting used motor oil, oil filters, and plastic motor oil bottles. For other household hazardous wastes, call the Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at (714) 834-6752. More information on hazardous waste.

Can I place my oil in any sealable plastic container?

Yes. Plastic containers may hold up to five gallons, may not have any leaks, and may not contain pesticides or toxic materials. You container will not be returned; it will be recycled.

What if I have more than 20 gallons of used motor oil for collection?

Garden Grove assures finding a solution to all used motor oil quantities. Large quantities, however, usually require special handling. Minimum handling and testing fees may apply. Call the hotline (800) 449-7587 to discuss your specific details.

Recycle What Goes Where?

Black Container - Trash
Yes No
  • Animal & Food Waste
  • Bathroom Waste
  • Carpet & Flooring
  • Car Parts
  • Cat Litter
  • Cigarette Butts
  • Disposable Diapers
  • Mirrors
  • Old Clothes & Shoes
  • Pool Covers
  • Rags & Sponges
  • Toys
  • Concrete
  • Construction Debris
  • Dirt & Rocks
  • Furniture
  • Large Appliances
  • Recyclables
  • Yard WasteHazardous Waste
Green Container - Recyclables
Yes No
Note: Remember to keep all recyclables Empty-Clean-Dry
  • Aerosol Cans
  • Aluminum & Tin Cans
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Cardboard
  • Cereal Boxes (without lining)
  • Computer & Ledger Paper
  • Egg Cartons
  • Glass Bottles & Jars (lids off)
  • Junk Mail & Brochures
  • Laundry Bottles
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  • Plastic Bottles & Containers
  • Plastic Milk Jugs
  • Phone Books
  • Wrapping Paper
  • Waxed & Carbon Paper
  • Food & Liquid Waste
  • Trash & Yard Waste
  • Hazardous Waste
Brown Container - Yard Waste
Yes No
  • Grass & Leaves (not bagged)
  • Prunings & Weeds
  • Twigs & Small Branches (4 inches or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in length)
  • Vegetation (from the yard)
  • Animal & Food Waste
  • Construction Debris
  • Dirt & Rocks
  • Palm Fronds
  • Plastic Bags
  • Rugs, Flooring, & Metal
  • Recyclables & TrashHazardous Waste

Important Yard Waste Tips:

  • Yard waste is defined as only what grows in the yard and garden ("green" waste).
  • Cut up trimmings to increase the amount of yard waste that fits in the container.
  • Do NOT use plastic trash bags for yard waste. Place a sheet of newspaper in the bottom of the container to keep loose grass from sticking.