A public resource guide
2 free WM bulky pickups per year (4 in Great Park Neighborhoods, 4 items per appointment INCLUDING electronics — unusual), three-cart system under California SB 1383 mandate, HHW Center at 6411 Oak Canyon (Tue–Sat 9 AM–3 PM, free for residents), and Christmas tree curbside Dec 26–Jan 16.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Irvine, California (#62 nationally, Orange County’s largest city) is served by Waste Management of Orange County under a city contract. Irvine operates a three-cart system under California SB 1383 with weekly collection of trash (blue lid), recycling (gray), and organics (green) on the same day. Irvine residents receive 2 free bulky item pickups per calendar year, with up to 4 items per appointment (including electronic waste). Great Park Neighborhoods residents receive 4 free bulky pickups per year (a master-planned community benefit). The Irvine Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 6411 Oak Canyon handles HHW free for residents Tue–Sat 9 AM–3 PM. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Irvine residents.
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Irvine residents have several free disposal pathways. The 2 free bulky pickups per year (with electronics included) handle most furniture and appliances. The HHW Center handles paint, chemicals, and batteries. Great Park Neighborhoods residents get an additional 2 pickups (4 total).
2 free bulky pickups per year
Free, 2/year (4 GPN)Irvine residents receive 2 free bulky item pickups per calendar year, with up to 4 items per appointment (including electronic waste). This is unusually generous because most cities exclude electronics from bulk pickup.
Eligibility: All Irvine WM residential customers. Great Park Neighborhoods residents get 4 free bulky pickups per year (master-planned community benefit).
How to schedule: Call WM at 949-642-1191 or schedule online at wm.com/irvine. Schedule at least 48 hours before your collection day.
Set-out: Items at curbside by 6:00 AM on your regular collection day after pickup is confirmed.
What’s accepted: Up to 4 items per appointment OR up to 20 bags of trash/yard waste (each bag under 50 lbs). Includes electronics: TVs, computers, monitors, DVDs.
Refrigerators/Freon items: Will not be taken unless refrigerant has been removed by certified technician and properly stickered.
Beyond 2 free pickups: Additional pickups available for a fee.
Three-cart curbside collection (SB 1383)
Free with serviceIrvine’s three-cart system follows California SB 1383 organic waste recycling mandates as of April 1, 2023. All three carts are collected weekly on the same day.
Blue lid (trash): Weekly. Standard household waste. Bagged.
Gray cart (recycling): Weekly. Single-stream, all recyclables loose — do NOT use plastic bags (exception: shredded paper in clear bags only). Flatten cardboard.
Green cart (organics): Weekly under SB 1383. Food scraps separated from trash, placed in green cart along with yard waste. Violations of waste sorting requirements may result in fines.
Set-out: Carts at curb by 6:00 AM. Place wheels against curb with handles facing your home, at least 3 feet apart from each other and obstacles.
Cart rules: Lid must close completely (overflowing carts may litter the area during automated collection and are subject to overage charges). Do not overfill.
Find your collection day: Use the WM address lookup at wm.com/irvine or call 949-642-1191.
Irvine HHW Collection Center
Free for residentsThe Irvine Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center handles HHW and e-waste free for Irvine residents. Located near Great Park Neighborhoods.
Address: 6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM.
Closed: Major holidays AND during rainy weather (Southern California rainy season).
What’s accepted: Paint (latex and oil-based), automotive fluids, batteries (auto, household, lithium), pesticides, pool chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, printers).
No walk-ups permitted: Drive-up service only. Visit cityofirvine.org for regular updates.
Donation pickup
Free for usable itemsOrange County has a strong nonprofit network for usable furniture and household goods. The right path for items in good working condition.
Goodwill of Orange County Donation Center: 18182 Culver Drive, Irvine. ocgoodwill.org
Habitat for Humanity Orange County ReStore: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, and building materials.
Salvation Army Orange County: Schedule at satruck.org or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
Working Wardrobes, Families Forward, and South County Outreach: Local nonprofits accepting household goods for families in need.
Freemoval (partner-community pickups)
FreeFreemoval is a social impact program that subsidizes free junk removal pickups in partner communities, typically affordable housing properties. Orange County partner expansion is in progress.
Eligibility: Households in active partner communities. Ask your property manager whether your building participates.
Status in Irvine: Onboarding partner properties throughout 2026.
Irvine’s bulky pickup program is generous in two ways: it includes electronics (most cities exclude them) and it offers up to 4 items per pickup OR up to 20 bags of trash/yard waste.
How to schedule:
· Call WM at 949-642-1191
· Online at wm.com/irvine
· Schedule 48 hours before your collection day
Annual allowance:
· Most Irvine residents: 2 free pickups per calendar year
· Great Park Neighborhoods residents: 4 free pickups per year (master-planned community benefit)
Per-pickup limit (each appointment):
· Up to 4 items (including electronic waste) OR
· Up to 20 bags of trash/yard waste (each bag under 50 lbs)
Set-out: Items at curbside by 6:00 AM on your regular collection day, only after WM has confirmed your pickup.
Electronic waste covered: TVs, computers, monitors, DVDs, and similar consumer electronics. This is unusual — most cities require e-waste at separate drop-off centers.
Refrigerators/Freon items: Items containing Freon (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units, dehumidifiers) WILL NOT be picked up unless refrigerant has been removed by a certified technician and properly stickered as such. HVAC contractors typically charge $30–$75 for refrigerant removal.
Beyond 2 free pickups: Additional pickups available for a fee. Contact WM at 949-642-1191 for current pricing.
Irvine’s three-cart system reflects California’s statewide SB 1383 organic waste recycling mandate, which took effect April 1, 2023. The City of Irvine contracts with Waste Management of Orange County for residential collection. Customer service: 949-642-1191. City environmental programs: 949-724-7669 or solidwaste@cityofirvine.org.
Find your collection day: Use the WM address lookup at wm.com/irvine or the My WM mobile app.
Set-out: Carts at curb by 6:00 AM on collection day. Remove carts by end of day. Place wheels against curb with handles facing your home, at least 3 feet apart from each other and obstacles (parked cars, mailboxes, trees).
Cart rules:
· Do not overfill — lid must close completely
· Overflowing carts may litter during automated collection AND are subject to overage charges
· All three streams collected weekly on the same day
Blue lid (trash): Weekly. Standard household waste. Bagged.
Gray cart (recycling): Weekly. Single-stream — all recyclables empty, clean, dry, and loose. DO NOT use plastic bags (exception: shredded paper in clear bags only). Flatten cardboard boxes to save space. No bagged recyclables.
Green cart (organics): Weekly under SB 1383. Food scraps must be separated from trash and placed in the green organics cart along with yard waste. Violations of waste sorting requirements may result in fines under California law.
Holiday schedule: WM observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. When a holiday falls on a weekday, residential trash, recycling, and organics collection will be delayed ONE DAY for the remainder of that week (Thursday collections move to Friday, Friday to Saturday). When the holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, NO DELAYS to regular schedule.
Missed pickups: Report through WM at 949-642-1191 or online. Container repair: WM replaces broken containers free.
The Irvine Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is the regional destination for items that can’t go in any cart. Free for Irvine residents.
Address: 6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM.
Closed: Major holidays AND during rainy weather. Visit cityofirvine.org for current updates.
What’s accepted:
· Paint (latex and oil-based), paint thinner, solvents
· Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid)
· Batteries (auto, household, lithium)
· Pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals
· Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
· Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, printers)
No walk-ups permitted: The HHW Center is drive-up service only. Stay in your vehicle; staff will unload items.
Best Buy: Best Buy stores in Irvine accept most consumer electronics free at customer service.
Auto parts stores: AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Advance Auto accept used motor oil and lead-acid batteries free year-round.
Live Christmas trees are collected curbside December 26 through January 16 on your regular collection day.
Tree prep:
· Remove all decorations including lights, ornaments, tinsel, and tree stands
· Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half
· Place at curb on regular collection day during the 3-week window
After January 16: Cut tree into pieces and place in your green organics cart with the lid completely closed, OR call to schedule a bulk pickup (which will count against your annual 2 free bulky pickups).
Flocked trees: Will be collected but not recycled (flocking material prevents composting). Place at curb same as regular trees.
Donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call the program before scheduling.
For items beyond your 2 annual free bulky pickups (4 for GPN residents), households needing in-home loading, or service when crew labor is needed, paid options are available.
Additional WM bulky pickups
Per pickup feeBeyond your 2 annual free bulky pickups, additional pickups are available from WM for a fee. Call 949-642-1191 for current pricing and scheduling.
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For Irvine households needing in-home pickup, items beyond your 2 annual free WM pickups, refrigerators without certified refrigerant removal, or service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multi-piece sets), LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in Orange County for upfront-priced pickup.
What’s included: Loading from inside the home, hauling, and licensed disposal. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
Other paid services: 1-800-Got-Junk, College Hunks Hauling Junk, and Junk King Orange County serve Irvine.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book an Irvine pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Report illegal dumping to Irvine Code Enforcement Hotline at (949) 724-6326 or via cityofirvine.org. For Public Works concerns, call (949) 724-7516. For WM-related issues, call 949-642-1191.
For California state environmental violations, contact CalRecycle. Active dumping in progress: call Irvine Police non-emergency.
Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes. See our complete illegal dumping guide for California state penalty information and reporting best practices.
How does Irvine's bulky pickup work?
Irvine residents receive 2 free bulky item pickups per calendar year, with up to 4 items per appointment. Schedule by calling WM at 949-642-1191 or online at wm.com/irvine at least 48 hours before your collection day. Place items at curbside by 6:00 AM on your scheduled day. Electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors, DVDs) IS included free. Refrigerators and other Freon items will not be taken unless refrigerant has been removed by certified technician and properly stickered. Great Park Neighborhoods residents receive 4 free pickups per year.
What is California SB 1383 and how does it affect me?
California SB 1383 is the statewide organic waste recycling mandate that took effect April 1, 2023. It requires Irvine residents to separate food scraps from trash and place them in the green organics cart along with yard waste. Violations of waste sorting requirements may result in fines. The green cart is collected weekly on the same day as your blue lid trash and gray recycling cart. Compostable plastics are NOT accepted; compostable products go in the trash.
Can I include electronics in my free bulky pickup?
Yes -- this is unusual and a real benefit. Irvine includes electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors, DVDs) in the 2 free bulky pickups per year. Most cities require e-waste at separate drop-off centers. Each appointment allows up to 4 items including electronics. For HHW (paint, batteries, chemicals), use the Irvine HHW Collection Center at 6411 Oak Canyon -- HHW does NOT go in bulky pickup.
Where is the HHW Center and what does it accept?
The Irvine Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is at 6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM. Closed major holidays AND during rainy weather (Southern California rainy season). No walk-ups permitted -- drive-up service only. Free for Irvine residents. Accepts paint, automotive fluids, batteries, pesticides, pool chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, and electronics. Visit cityofirvine.org for regular updates.
Why won't my refrigerator be picked up?
Items containing Freon (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units, dehumidifiers) WILL NOT be picked up by WM unless refrigerant has been removed by a certified technician and properly stickered as such. This is a federal Clean Air Act requirement, not just an Irvine rule. HVAC contractors typically charge $30 to $75 for refrigerant removal and certification. After getting the sticker, schedule the bulky pickup with WM at 949-642-1191. Alternatively, retailers often haul away old fridges when delivering new ones.
How does Christmas tree collection work in Irvine?
Live Christmas trees are collected curbside December 26 through January 16 on your regular collection day. Remove all decorations including lights, ornaments, tinsel, and tree stands. Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half. After January 16, you can either cut the tree into pieces and place them in your green organics cart (lid completely closed), or call WM to schedule a bulk pickup (which counts against your 2 annual free bulky pickups). Flocked trees ARE collected but not recycled.
How do I report illegal dumping in Irvine?
Call the Irvine Code Enforcement Hotline at (949) 724-6326 or report through cityofirvine.org. For Public Works concerns, call (949) 724-7516. For WM issues (missed pickups, cart damage), call 949-642-1191. For California state environmental violations, contact CalRecycle. Active dumping in progress: call Irvine Police non-emergency. Photos with license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, please contact us.