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El Cajon, CA trash pickup schedule

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

Population 101,755 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.

Contents10 sections

Quick answer

Who collectsA private hauler under city contract: EDCO (EDCO Disposal, Lemon Grove office) EDCO's City of El Cajon service-area pages describe weekly trash (gray), recycling (blue) and organics (green) cart collection for residents; EDCO and the City co-sponsor resident events. Facts come from EDCO's El Cajon-specific pages.110
How oftenTrash weekly, recycling weekly, yard waste weekly, on the regular service day134
Set outNot published by the city (official page)
Your pickup dayHauler’s address lookup: city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com. App: EDCO App7
Holiday Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026: No change. collection not delayed; offices, disposal sites and buyback centers open9

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

El Cajon holiday trash schedule 2026

City’s ruleResidential collection is not performed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas; service moves to the next day on and after the holiday for the rest of that week (Friday moves to Saturday); days before the holiday are unchanged. Saturday holidays do not delay service. Other holidays (MLK Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Presidents' Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Veterans Day) have regular service.7
Official noticecity-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com7
El Cajon trash pickup on holidays, 2026
HolidayDatePickupWhat the city says
New Year's Day Thu, Jan 1, 2026 Delayed one day Thursday and Friday customers only (one day later)7
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Mon, Jan 19, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Presidents' Day Mon, Feb 16, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Memorial Day Mon, May 25, 2026 Delayed one day one-day delay all week7
Juneteenth Fri, Jun 19, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Independence Day (Fourth of July) Sat, Jul 4, 2026 No change falls on Saturday; no delay7
Labor Day Mon, Sep 7, 2026 Delayed one day one-day delay all week7
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Mon, Oct 12, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Veterans Day Wed, Nov 11, 2026 No change collection not delayed; offices, disposal sites and buyback centers open9
Thanksgiving Day Thu, Nov 26, 2026 Delayed one day Thursday and Friday customers only (Thursday→Friday, Friday→Saturday)7
Christmas Day Fri, Dec 25, 2026 Delayed one day Friday customers only (moved to Saturday)7
El Cajon trash pickup on holidays, 2027
HolidayDatePickupWhat the city says
New Year's Day Fri, Jan 1, 2027 Delayed one day Friday customers only (moved to Saturday)7
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Mon, Jan 18, 2027 No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Presidents' Day Mon, Feb 15, 2027 No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Memorial Day Mon, May 31, 2027 No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Juneteenth Fri, Jun 18, 2027 (observed) No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Independence Day (Fourth of July) Mon, Jul 5, 2027 (observed) No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Labor Day Mon, Sep 6, 2027 No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Mon, Oct 11, 2027 No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Veterans Day Thu, Nov 11, 2027 No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Thanksgiving Day Thu, Nov 25, 2027 No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above
Christmas Day Fri, Dec 24, 2027 (observed) No dated list; see the city’s rule See the city’s rule above

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

Sources: Service Schedules (2026 holiday schedule) - EDCO City of E…, EDCO will Continue to Provide Waste & Recycling Services o… Last checked Report a change

Bulk trash pickup in El Cajon

How it worksOn-call pickup: call or book online6
How to requestCall or contact EDCO ((619) 287-7555) to schedule a curbside pickup6
Limits4 pickups per year, up to 6 items each (about 3 cubic yards per collection)6
Feesfree6
Not accepted
  • Household hazardous waste; construction material6

Sources: Bulky Item Pickup - Residential - EDCO City of El Cajon Last checked Report a change

Recycling in El Cajon

Pickupweekly1
Typesingle-stream2
Glassaccepted in cart2
PlasticsNot published by the city (official page)

Accepted

  • Glass bottles and jars (clear and colored)2
  • Aluminum and steel cans, clean dry paint cans, empty aerosol cans, aluminum foil2
  • Flattened cardboard2
  • Newspapers and inserts2
  • Mixed paper, mail, magazines, shredded paper (in a paper bag)2
  • Paperboard packaging (cereal boxes, egg cartons, paper bags, gift wrap, tubes)2

Not accepted

  • Plastic bags (recyclables go in loose; paper bags OK); return grocery bags to stores2
  • Batteries and light bulbs2

Programs

  • Blue cart sizes 95, 64 or 32 gallons; extra recycling carts at no cost2
  • Recyclables too large for the cart: free drop-off at EDCO Buyback Centers2

Sources: Residential - EDCO City of El Cajon, Recycling - Residential - EDCO City of El Cajon Last checked Report a change

Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups

Yard waste pickupYes3
Seasonyear-round (weekly organics cart)3
How oftenweekly, on the regular service day3
RulesGreen 95-gallon cart; no plastic bags of any kind (incl. compostable); paper bags OK; two extra green carts free, a fourth or more for a nominal monthly fee3
Food scrapsYes: food scraps and food-soiled paper go in the green organics cart (SB 1383); one free kitchen caddie per household3
Christmas treesNot published by the city (official page)
Leaf collectionNot published by the city (official page)
Cleanup events
  • Fall Bulky-Item Cleanup Event, Saturday, October 17, 2026, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Ave. (El Cajon residents; appliances, furniture, wrapped mattresses, bundled branches, e-waste; no HHW/trash/contractor debris). EDCO holds free bulky drop-off cleanups twice a year.611
  • Free Paper Shredding, E-Waste Collection and Mulch/Compost Giveaway, Saturday, November 14, 2026, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Ave. (El Cajon residents only; up to 2 banker boxes per household on the event page, 3 in the summer newsletter; no HHW, appliances or trash)10

Sources: Organic Recycling - Residential - EDCO City of El Cajon, Bulky Item Pickup - Residential - EDCO City of El Cajon, FREE Paper Shredding, E-Waste Collection, and Mulch/Compos…, Environmental Times, El Cajon, Summer 2026 Last checked Report a change

Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste

EDCO HHW drop-off (El Cajon residents)

TypeHousehold hazardous waste
Run byEDCO
Address950 O'Connor St., El Cajon, CA · Map5
HoursSaturdays, by appointment only (book online, [email protected] or (619) 287-5696 ext. 4270)5
Feesfree5
Who can use itEl Cajon residents5

EDCO Certified Buyback Recycling Centers

TypeRecycling center
Run byEDCO
AddressNot published by the city (official page)
HoursNot published by the city (official page)
Feesfree drop-off of recyclables too large for the blue cart2

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

Sources: Recycling - Residential - EDCO City of El Cajon, Household Hazardous Waste - Residential - EDCO City of El … Last checked Report a change

Missed pickup and contacts

Missed pickup formcity-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com8
Phone(619) 287-7555 (EDCO customer service); text (619) 202-8365; email [email protected]11
311Not published by the city (official page)
Official websitecity-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com2

Sources: Recycling - Residential - EDCO City of El Cajon, Contact Us - EDCO City of El Cajon, Environmental Times, El Cajon, Summer 2026 Last checked Report a change

Nearby cities

All California cities: California trash pickup schedules.

El Cajon trash pickup FAQ

What day is trash picked up in El Cajon?

Trash is collected weekly. El Cajon does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s hauler’s address lookup (city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com) or the EDCO App app.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in El Cajon?

Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Delayed one day: Thursday and Friday customers only (Thursday→Friday, Friday→Saturday)

Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in El Cajon?

Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Delayed one day: Friday customers only (moved to Saturday)

Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2027 in El Cajon?

New Year's Day falls on Fri, Jan 1, 2027. Delayed one day: Friday customers only (moved to Saturday)

How do I get rid of bulky items in El Cajon?

On-call pickup: call or book online. Call or contact EDCO ((619) 287-7555) to schedule a curbside pickup Fees: free.

Does El Cajon recycle glass?

Glass: accepted in cart.

How do I report a missed trash pickup in El Cajon?

Use the city’s online form (city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com) or call (619) 287-7555 (EDCO customer service); text (619) 202-8365; email [email protected].

Sources

  1. 1
    Residential - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  2. 2
    Recycling - Residential - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  3. 3
    Organic Recycling - Residential - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  4. 4
    Trash - Residential - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  5. 5
    Household Hazardous Waste - Residential - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  6. 6
    Bulky Item Pickup - Residential - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  7. 7
    Service Schedules (2026 holiday schedule) - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  8. 8
    Contact Us - EDCO City of El CajonContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  9. 9
    EDCO will Continue to Provide Waste & Recycling Services on Veterans' DayContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  10. 10
    FREE Paper Shredding, E-Waste Collection, and Mulch/Compost Giveaway EventContracted hauler · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · checked October 30, 2026
  11. 11
    Environmental Times, El Cajon, Summer 2026Contracted hauler · edcoprod.wpengine.com · checked October 30, 2026
  12. 12
    City of El Cajon recycling/residential service pagesCity · elcajon.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.