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Carlsbad, CA trash pickup schedule

Carlsbad trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.

Population 112,260 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.

Contents10 sections

Quick answer

Who collectsA private hauler under city contract: Republic Services Republic Services provides recycling, organics and trash collection for the City of Carlsbad (city-specific municipality page; City and Republic jointly run the organics program).1
How oftenNot published by the city
Set outthe night before or by 6 a.m. on service day; carts facing street, wheels against curb; 3 ft between carts, 6 ft from other objects; lids shut1
Your pickup dayHauler’s address lookup: republicservices.com. App: Republic Services app1
Holidays The city publishes a rule, not a dated list: see the holiday rule.

Bulk items: on-call (schedule by phone) (details). Drop-off sites: 3 listed (hours and fees).

Carlsbad holiday trash schedule 2026

City’s ruleHolidays observed: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a weekday, collection is delayed one day for the rest of that week (Friday service moves to Saturday); no delay if the holiday falls on a weekend. All other holidays (including July 4) no change.1
Official noticerepublicservices.com1
Rule quotes
  • We observe New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If your service day falls on or after one of these holidays, it will be delayed by one day. For all other holidays, your service day will remain the same:
  • For example, if the holiday falls on a Thursday your service will occur on Friday, and Friday service will occur on Saturday.
  • If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there will be no delay.
  • *Please note your carts will be regularly serviced on July 4th

No dated list of holidays is published for Carlsbad; the holiday delay checker shows the rule above for each upcoming holiday.

Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.

Sources: Republic Services of Carlsbad, CA (incl. expanded FAQ) Last checked Report a change

Bulk trash pickup in Carlsbad

How it workson-call (schedule by phone)1
How to requestcall 760.332.6464 at least 24 hours before your regular collection day; place items at the agreed location before 7 a.m. on pickup day3
Limits3 free pickups per year per unit, up to 5 items each (items too large for the cart, under 200 lb); carpet cut to 4 ft and bundled; mattresses wrapped in plastic; swing/gym sets disassembled2
Feesfree for 3 pickups/year; extra pickups for a fee (amount not published on page)1
Not accepted
  • hazardous waste, tires, construction/demolition debris, wood pallets, fencing, sinks/bathtubs3
  • auto parts, bathtubs with showers, boats, cabinets, camper shells, carpet (except carpet cut to 4 ft and bundled, listed under special handling), e-waste (separate e-waste pickup), fencing, garage doors (motor & track only are accepted), green waste, piano, plywood/wallboard, pool, pool table, roofing, satellite dish, shopping cart, shower module, sliding glass door, spa, tires, tree stump, universal waste, windows. Note: the hauler's FAQ lists 'Cabinet' as acceptable and 'Cabinets' as not accepted - confirm with Republic.1
Limits weightitems typically too large for the cart and under 200 pounds5

Sources: Republic Services of Carlsbad, CA (incl. expanded FAQ), Bulky Item Pickup Flyer Carlsbad CA, Residential Free Programs Brochure, Free Bulk Item Collection (Carlsbad bulk flyer) Last checked Report a change

Recycling in Carlsbad

PickupNot published by the city
Typesingle-stream1
Glassaccepted in cart1
Plasticsby shape: jug-style bottles/jars with a handle or neck; no flexible plastics or polystyrene1

Accepted

  • aluminum cans, trays and foil (clean)1
  • steel cans, tins and empty aerosols1
  • rigid plastic bottles, jugs and jars with a handle or neck1
  • paper, mail, magazines, books, paper bags1
  • cardboard and chipboard1
  • glass jars and bottles1
  • extra flattened cardboard (pieces up to 2x3 ft) and extra recyclables in paper bags/boxes beside the cart, free3
  • household (non-lithium) batteries in a clear zipper bag on top of the blue cart lid3

Not accepted

  • plastic bags, film and wrappers1
  • Styrofoam/polystyrene1
  • food waste and greasy pizza boxes (organics cart)1
  • electronics, light bulbs, mirrors, scrap metal, wood, hoses/wires/string lights1
  • shredded paper unless in a paper bag1

Programs

  • up to three blue recycling and three green organics carts free3
  • curbside e-waste pickup by appointment, up to 3 times per year, up to 5 items each (call 760.332.6464); or drop off at Palomar Transfer Station1

Sources: Republic Services of Carlsbad, CA (incl. expanded FAQ), Residential Free Programs Brochure Last checked Report a change

Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups

Yard waste pickupyes, green organics (compost) cart for green waste and food scraps1
SeasonNot published by the city
How oftenNot published by the city
Rulesgreen cart: grass, leaves, flowers, prunings, weeds, branches, untreated lumber, food scraps, food-soiled paper, BPI-certified compostables; no pet waste, plastic, dirt, sod, rocks, fats/oils/grease, poison oak1
Food scrapsyes, in the green organics cart (required by SB 1383)1
Christmas treescurbside on your regular green waste day; remove stands/lights/ornaments/tinsel; cut to fit the compost cart with lid closed; flocked or artificial trees go in the trash cart (standing rule; no 2026-27 dates published)1
Leaf collectionNot published by the city
Cleanup events
  • Medication & sharps collection and Shred & Recycle It! events, Saturday, November 14, 2026, registration required (closes Nov 13, 5 p.m.)4

Sources: Republic Services of Carlsbad, CA (incl. expanded FAQ), Carlsbad Free Events November 2026 Last checked Report a change

Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste

Palomar Transfer Station and Recycling Buyback Center

TypeTransfer station
Run byRepublic Services
Address5960 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008 · Map3
HoursTransfer station Mon-Sun 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Recycling Buyback Center Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (HHW items such as paint, batteries, oil accepted Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-4 p.m.)3
Feesfree resident programs: e-waste, batteries, LED bulbs, cooking/motor oil, mattresses, carpet, sharps, cardboard, mulch/compost, latex paint (5 gal max); C&D fees may apply3
Who can use itproof of residency required for free programs3

HHW Collection Facility in Vista

TypeHousehold hazardous waste
Run bynot stated on Republic flyer (the Republic FAQ refers to a 'CleanEarth HHW Facility' for latex paint)
Address1145 E. Taylor St., Vista, CA · Map7
HoursSaturdays only, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.7
Feesfree drop-off (per flyer); lithium batteries, CFL bulbs, pharmaceuticals accepted7
Who can use itCarlsbad residents7

HHW at-home pickup (appointment)

TypeHousehold hazardous waste
Run byprogram listed by Republic Services for Carlsbad
AddressNot published by the city
Hoursby appointment, call 800.714.11957
Fees$10 per pickup; free for residents 65 and older7
Who can use itCarlsbad residents7

Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.

Sources: Residential Free Programs Brochure, Household Hazardous Waste 101 (Carlsbad) Last checked Report a change

Missed pickup and contacts

Missed pickup formCall Republic Services 760.332.6464 or use the online account tool/app (republicservices.com)1
Phone760.332.6464 (Republic Services customer service, Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-3 p.m.)1
311Not published by the city
Official websitecarlsbadca.gov (City) / republicservices.com5
Email[email protected]3

Sources: Republic Services of Carlsbad, CA (incl. expanded FAQ), Residential Free Programs Brochure, Free Bulk Item Collection (Carlsbad bulk flyer) Last checked Report a change

Nearby cities

Other cities served by Republic Services

All California cities: California trash pickup schedules.

Carlsbad trash pickup FAQ

What day is trash picked up in Carlsbad?

Carlsbad does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s hauler’s address lookup (republicservices.com) or the Republic Services app app.

How do I get rid of bulky items in Carlsbad?

on-call (schedule by phone). call 760.332.6464 at least 24 hours before your regular collection day; place items at the agreed location before 7 a.m. on pickup day Fees: free for 3 pickups/year; extra pickups for a fee (amount not published on page).

Does Carlsbad recycle glass?

Glass: accepted in cart.

How do I report a missed trash pickup in Carlsbad?

Use the city’s online form (Call Republic Services 760.332.6464 or use the online account tool/app (https://www.republicservices.com/account/login)) or call 760.332.6464 (Republic Services customer service, Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-3 p.m.).

Sources

  1. 1
    Republic Services of Carlsbad, CA (incl. expanded FAQ)Contracted hauler · republicservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
  2. 2
    Bulky Item Pickup Flyer Carlsbad CAContracted hauler · republicservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
  3. 3
    Residential Free Programs BrochureContracted hauler · republicservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
  4. 4
    Carlsbad Free Events November 2026Contracted hauler · republicservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
  5. 5
    Free Bulk Item Collection (Carlsbad bulk flyer)Contracted hauler · republicservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
  6. 6
    City of Carlsbad Trash & RecyclingCity · carlsbadca.gov · checked October 30, 2026
  7. 7
    Household Hazardous Waste 101 (Carlsbad)Contracted hauler · republicservices.com · checked October 30, 2026

Something changed? Report a change

Second-pass verification against every source: November 1, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.