Trash & Recycling Guides

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Black Trash Barrel - Landfill

Glass: ceramic, porcelain, & non-food related glass

Food Containers: chip bags, compostable “plant-based plastic,” juice pouches, paper coffee cups, snack bar wrappers, tea bags, & tea wrappers

Paper: bathroom & facial tissues, envelopes (padded and Tyvek), laminated or plastic coated paper, napkins, photographs, & receipts

Plastic: plastics #3 & #6 (hard & foam); all black plastics; bubble wrap; disposable gloves; garden hoses; empty motor oil containers; plastic bags & film (e.g. dry cleaning bags & cellophane); plastic toys; tarps; & small plastics (e.g. utensils, straws, serving cups, etc.)

Misc.: unusable clothing & fabric; cacti & succulents; cigarette butts; diapers; hard shells (e.g. clams, mussels, & oysters); lint; palm fronds; pet waste; produce stickers; & yucca leaves

Recycling Blue Barrel

If empty of liquid and food, the following is acceptable in your blue recycling container.
Plastic:

Plastic #1 (PET) as bottles or clamshells
Plastic #2 (HDPE)
Plastic #5 (PP)
Recyclable plastics include, but are not limited to:
- Beverage & detergent jugs
- Food containers
- Soda, juice & water bottles

Paper: (clean, dry, and no metal or lamination), magazines, mail, office paper, newspaper, paper bags, & telephone books

Cardboard: broken down cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, & clean pizza boxes

Glass: bottles & jars only (remove lids)

Metals: aluminum cans, foil, & trays, scrap metal, steel cans & tin cans

Acceptable, but may not be recycled currently:

Cereal boxes (remove bag), egg cartons, frozen food boxes, & soup/milk/juice cartons

Green Waste Barrel - Organics

Green Waste: branches; flowers; grass clippings; hedge trimmings; leaves; weeds; & untreated/unpainted lumber, plywood, & scrap wood

Food Scraps: fruits; vegetables; bread; rice; pasta; cheese; dairy; coffee grounds; coffee filters; meat; bones; poultry; seafood; soft shells (e.g. lobster, crab, & shrimp)

Food-Soiled Paper*: 100% fiber based, compostable to-go containers & servingware, egg cartons (paper), paper napkins & kitchen towels, plates, packaging, and pizza boxes

*All items must be 100% plant-fiber based with NO petroleum-based plastic, wax, or bio-plastic coating, liner, or laminate. Must be soiled ONLY with food or drink liquids.

Do Not Place in Containers:

State law prohibits the disposal of hazardous material into your containers. Do not place bulky items, construction debris, electronic waste, or automotive parts in your containers. The following is a list of items you should not place in your container:

Automotive Parts
Batteries
Cleaning Products
Construction & Demolition Waste
Fluorescent Light Bulbs or Tubes
Electronic Waste
LED Lights
Medical Waste
Paints, Solvents, and Thinners
Pesticides or Herbicides
Pharmaceuticals/Over–the-Counter Medicines
Pool Chemicals
Radiological Waste
Syringes or Sharps
Thermometers
Thermostats
Used Motor Oil

Electronic Waste Examples:

Electronics are devices that use electrical wiring, plug into an outlet, or operate with batteries or light bulbs. This includes items such as computers and accessories, circuit boards, extension cords, flashlights, microwaves, phones, stereos, and televisions.

Construction and Demolition:

Construction, renovation, and demolition waste cannot be placed in standard carts or bins. These C&D materials include items such as asphalt, bricks, carpet, concrete, dirt, doors, drywall, glass, lumber, masonry, pallets, pipes, plastics, plumbing fixtures, rocks, salvaged building components, scrap metal, shingles, tile, and windows.

Hazardous Waste

Los Angeles County and the Sanitation Districts offer free one‑day, drive‑through Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and e‑waste collection events. Residents can also use permanent S.A.F.E. Centers, which provide a convenient, year‑round way to drop off items like paint, chemicals, batteries, computers, cell phones, and fluorescent lights. For more information please go to Clean LA.

If you see a release of known or suspected hazardous materials, call 911 immediately. Stay clear of the area, keep others away, and allow only trained responders to handle the situation.

Grease Rendering/ Drop Off Points

Bakers Commodities		800-427-0696
Legacy By-Products, LLC		323-261-4176
One More Time		800-624-5504
Grease Trap Cleaning/Hauling
Baker Commodities		800-427-0696
Mr. Rooter Drain Cleaning Services		833-785-6698
SMC Grease		951-788-6042
Triple A Pumping & Jetting		714-628-0900

Free Bulky Waste Collection

The City of Downey and Athens Services encourage residents to reuse or donate bulky items whenever possible. If that isn’t an option, Athens will remove bulky items—such as major appliances and furniture—by request. Do not place bulky items or electronics in your trash containers, as this may interrupt service. Submit a Bulky Item Request to schedule a pickup at Bulky Item Pickup or by calling 888-336-6100.

Holiday Tree Pick-Up

Holiday trees are fully recyclable. Athens Services collects them from the day after Christmas through the second week of January on your regular pickup day. Trees are processed into mulch, cover material, or compost. To ensure proper collection:

Remove stands, ornaments, lights, and tinsel
Place the tree next to your trash containers
Cut trees over 6 feet in half
Do not set out flocked or fire‑retardant trees
If you miss the collection period, cut up the tree and place it in your yard‑waste container

To help keep parks clean, report illegal tree dumping to the Downey Police Department.

Composting

Composting is an effective way to turn yard waste and select food scraps into nutrient‑rich soil for gardens and houseplants. For information on how to compost, local workshops, or purchasing bins or guides, visit www.smartgardening.com or contact the City’s Public Works Department at 562‑904‑7102.

Safe Drug Drop Off and Sharps

Sites accept sharps, expired medications and controlled substances. Sharps must be disposed of in an appropriate, safe container. Drop off bins located near station entrances. No questions asked.

Norwalk Sheriff Station
12335 Civic Center Drive

Lakewood Sheriff Station
5130 N. Clark Avenue

Pico Rivera Sherrif Station
6631 Passons Blvd.

Beverage Container Recycling Information

Recycle Beverage Containers for Cash
(800) Recycle (800-732-9253)
www.calrecycleca.gov

Recycling Reimagined CA

recyclingreimaginedca.com

Recycling – Used Motor Oil & Oil Filters

Downey offers several State‑certified centers where residents can recycle used motor oil and oil filters for free. Place used oil in a clean container—never in metal cans or bottles that held bleach, cleaners, paint, or other automotive fluids, as contamination prevents recycling. Most centers accept up to 5 gallons and will not take contaminated oil. Contact centers directly for hours and limits. To report illegal dumping, call 1‑888‑Clean‑LA.

Participating Centers:

Auto Zone, 9920 Paramount Blvd – 562‑776‑3393
Auto Zone, 13028 Paramount Blvd – 562‑869‑1545
Jiffy Lube, 7501 Firestone Blvd – 562‑927‑8806
Jiffy Lube, 12556 Lakewood Blvd – 562‑869‑7800
O’Reilly Auto Parts, 7839 Firestone Blvd – 562‑861‑9971
Pep Boys, 10231 Lakewood Blvd – 562‑250‑5765

Commercial And Multi-Family Recycling Information

Commercial and multi‑family customers can choose 1–6 yard bins. Fees depend on bin size, number of bins, and service frequency.

Multi-Family Commercial Bin Service – For Recycling

Multi‑Family Commercial customers can use 1–4 yard bins. Fees depend on container size, number of containers, and service frequency.

Mandatory Recycling – (Commercial and Multi-Family Properties)

Since July 1, 2012, State Law AB 341 requires recycling for:

Businesses generating 4+ cubic yards of waste per week
Multi‑family properties with 5+ units

AB 1826 - Mandatory Commercial Recycling

Construction & Demolition Waste Management Plan

Article V, Chapter 8 (Ordinance No. 09-1252) of the Downey Municipal Code requires that 100% of inert debris and at least 65% of the remaining construction and demolition(C&D) debris generated during a construction or demolition project, be diverted from landfill. Covered applicants are required to complete a C&D Waste Management Plan (Form A) that details anticipated diversion practices, and materials to be recycled or reused. The Waste Management Plan Compliance Report (Form B) must be submitted 30 days after the completion of the project.