Downey, CA trash pickup schedule

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

Population 108,468 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked October 30, 2026Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.

Contents10 sections

Quick answer

Who collects	A private hauler under city contract: Athens Services Athens Services runs residential trash, recycling and organics collection for Downey (it has a Downey residential page and points to the City of Downey for more information).¹
How often	Not published by the city
Set out	out the night before trash day or by 6:00 a.m. on the day of service¹
Your pickup day	Ask the city: athensservices.com¹
Holidays	The city publishes a rule, not a dated list: see the holiday rule.

Bulk items: On-call pickup: call or book online (details). Drop-off sites: 2 listed (hours and fees).

Downey holiday trash schedule 2026

City’s rule	A holiday creates a one-day delay in collection. Holidays observed: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day. No delay when the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. (Athens Services, Downey residential page; the page doesn't say whether the delay runs through the rest of the week.)¹
Official notice	athensservices.com¹

No dated list of holidays is published for Downey; 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: Downey – Residential Waste & Recycling Services Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Bulk trash pickup in Downey

How it works	On-call pickup: call or book online Athens removes bulky items (major appliances, furniture) upon request only; submit a Bulky Item Request online. Don't set items out until you get a confirmation.¹
How to request	Submit the Athens Bulky Item Request form (athensservices.com); customer service responds within 1 business day (form confirmation says within 48 hours); do not put items out until confirmed; driver will not go on private property³
Limits	Not published by the city
Fees	Not published by the city
Not accepted	automobile parts; construction and demolition debris (dirt, concrete, tile, drywall, rock); hazardous waste; loose or scattered building material and lumber¹

Sources: Downey – Residential Waste & Recycling Services, Bulky Item Pickup request Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Recycling in Downey

Pickup	Not published by the city
Type	single-stream¹
Glass	accepted in cart bottles and jars only, lids removed; ceramic, porcelain and non-food glass go in the trash¹
Plastics	#1 (PET) bottles and clamshells, #2 (HDPE), #5 (PP); no #3, #6 or black plastic¹

Accepted

plastic #1 (PET) bottles/clamshells, #2 (HDPE), #5 (PP): beverage and detergent jugs, food containers, soda/juice/water bottles¹
clean, dry paper: magazines, mail, office paper, newspaper, paper bags, telephone books¹
broken-down cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, clean pizza boxes¹
glass bottles and jars (remove lids)¹
aluminum cans, foil and trays, scrap metal, steel and tin cans¹
accepted but may not currently be recycled: cereal boxes (bag removed), egg cartons, frozen food boxes, soup/milk/juice cartons¹

Not accepted

plastics #3 and #6 (hard and foam), all black plastics, bubble wrap, plastic bags and film, plastic toys, small plastics such as utensils and straws (trash)¹
ceramic, porcelain and non-food glass (trash)¹
hazardous waste of any kind (state law)¹

Sources: Downey – Residential Waste & Recycling Services Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups

Yard waste pickup	Yes¹
Season	Not published by the city
How often	Not published by the city
Rules	Organics container: branches, flowers, grass clippings, hedge trimmings, leaves, weeds, untreated/unpainted wood; no palm fronds, yucca leaves, cacti or succulents (trash)¹
Food scraps	accepted in organics: fruits, vegetables, bread, rice, pasta, cheese, dairy, coffee grounds/filters, meat, bones, poultry, seafood, soft shells; 100% plant-fiber food-soiled paper¹
Christmas trees	2026-27 season: Athens collects Downey holiday trees Dec 26, 2026 - Jan 9, 2027 on your normal pickup day, set next to your regular trash containers; remove stands, ornaments, lights and tinsel; cut trees over 6 ft in half; no flocked or fire-retardant trees¹²
Leaf collection	Not published by the city

Sources: Downey – Residential Waste & Recycling Services, Holiday Tree Recycling (schedule by municipality) Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste

Los Angeles County / Sanitation Districts HHW & e-waste collection events (mobile, various locations)

Type	Household hazardous waste
Run by	county (Los Angeles County and Sanitation Districts)
Address	varies; see cleanla.lacounty.gov⁵
Hours	most events Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; no appointment⁵
Fees	free; limit 15 gallons or 125 pounds of HHW per trip⁵
Who can use it	Los Angeles County residents⁵

EDCO Recycling & Transfer Center (LA County permanent HHW/e-waste center)

Type	Household hazardous waste
Run by	county program at EDCO facility
Address	2755 California Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755 · Map⁵
Hours	9 a.m.-2 p.m., open on select Saturdays⁵
Fees	free⁵
Who can use it	Los Angeles County residents⁵

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

Sources: Downey – Residential Waste & Recycling Services, HHW/E-Waste Collection Centers and Events (CLEAN LA) Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Missed pickup and contacts

Missed pickup form	Not published by the city
Phone	Athens Customer Care Center (888) 336-6100; Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Sun closed¹
311	Not published by the city
Official website	athensservices.com (hauler); city page downeyca.org¹

Sources: Downey – Residential Waste & Recycling Services Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Nearby cities

Other cities served by Athens Services

All California cities: California trash pickup schedules.

Downey trash pickup FAQ

What day is trash picked up in Downey?

Downey does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s ask the city (athensservices.com).

How do I get rid of bulky items in Downey?

On-call pickup: call or book online. Submit the Athens Bulky Item Request form (https://athensservices.com/bulky-item-pickup/); customer service responds within 1 business day (form confirmation says within 48 hours); do not put items out until confirmed; driver will not go on private property

Does Downey recycle glass?

Glass: accepted in cart.

How do I report a missed trash pickup in Downey?

call Athens Customer Care Center (888) 336-6100; Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Sun closed.

Sources

1
Downey – Residential Waste & Recycling ServicesContracted hauler · athensservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
2
Holiday Tree Recycling (schedule by municipality)Contracted hauler · athensservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
3
Bulky Item Pickup requestContracted hauler · athensservices.com · checked October 30, 2026
4
Official page on downeyca.orgCity · downeyca.org · checked October 30, 2026
5
HHW/E-Waste Collection Centers and Events (CLEAN LA)County · cleanla.lacounty.gov · 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.