A public resource guide
Free appointment-based bulky pickup twice per year, free monthly drop-off at Agua Mansa Transfer Station, SB 1383 three-cart sorting requirements, and every donation pickup option in the Inland Empire.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Riverside, CA is part of the Inland Empire, one of the fastest-growing and most logistics-intensive regions in the United States, and also one with persistent illegal dumping pressure along industrial corridors and in lower-income neighborhoods. The City of Riverside provides free appointment-based bulky pickup twice per year, plus a free monthly drop-off day at Agua Mansa Transfer Station for residents who need more capacity. California’s SB 1383 law (effective January 2022) adds mandatory organics and recycling sorting requirements for all Riverside residents. This guide covers every legitimate disposal option for Riverside residents, with the specific rules, phone numbers, and programs that actually apply here.
On this page
The City of Riverside provides free curbside bulky item pickup by appointment. Key rules:
· 2 appointments per year per residential address
· Up to 5 items per appointment (3 trash bags weighing up to 20 lbs each count as 1 item, max 15 bags total)
· Size limit: combined 8 ft. length × 4 ft. width × 4 ft. height
· Items must be curbside by 5:30 AM on the day of your appointment
· Schedule by calling (951) 826-5311
· If items exceed the 5-item limit and the driver picks up the extras, a second appointment will be automatically deducted from your annual allowance
Note: Riverside split into two service areas in July 2023. The City of Riverside directly serves most neighborhoods. La Sierra, University, and Orangecrest areas are now serviced by Athens Services under contract to the City. The process for scheduling bulky pickup is the same regardless of your service area.
California SB 1383, effective January 2022, requires all Riverside residents to sort waste into three carts. Failure to sort correctly is subject to enforcement.
· Brown barrel / gray lid = Trash (bagged household waste, non-recyclable materials)
· Blue barrel / blue lid = Recyclables (paper, plastic, glass, metal, clean Styrofoam, flattened cardboard, no lids/caps, loose not bagged)
· Green barrel / green lid = Green/yard waste and food scraps (required since SB 1383, food scraps NO LONGER go in trash)
All three carts are collected on the same day each week. Collection starts at 6:00 AM, bins must be at the curb before then.
On the 3rd Saturday of every month, Riverside residents can drop off bulky items and yard waste for FREE at the Agua Mansa Transfer Station. This is an excellent option for residents who have already used both annual bulky pickup appointments, or who need to dispose of more than 5 items at once.
Address: 1830 Agua Mansa Road, Riverside, CA
Regular hours: M–F 7 AM–6 PM, Sat 7 AM–4:30 PM, Sun 8 AM–3 PM
Requirement: Show a current Riverside utility bill at entry
Also accepts: Electronics (e-waste), HHW, recyclables
Clean Up Riverside events are also held throughout the year at various locations across the city. Check riversideca.gov for the current event calendar.
For items in usable condition, free donation pickup is available through several Inland Empire programs:
· Salvation Army — free pickup for furniture and large items. Schedule at satruck.org or 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
· Habitat for Humanity ReStore — multiple Inland Empire locations accept furniture, appliances, and building materials. Free pickup for qualifying donations. habitat.org/restores
· Goodwill of Southern California — drop-off locations across Riverside. Some locations offer pickup for larger donations.
· Buy Nothing Riverside groups (Facebook) — hyperlocal free item listings that find takers quickly.
When free options are exhausted or you need faster service:
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For Riverside households who need same-day or in-home pickup, have already used their 2 free annual appointments, need items removed before the next monthly drop-off day, or are clearing more than one room’s worth of items, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Riverside area for upfront-priced pickup.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book a Riverside pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Other paid junk removal services
$70–$4001-800-Got-Junk and College Hunks Hauling Junk serve the Inland Empire. Local independent operators also serve Riverside and San Bernardino County. Always get 2–3 quotes for larger jobs.
Riverside faces significant illegal dumping pressure, particularly along industrial corridors in the Inland Empire. The city actively enforces through the Environmental Code Enforcement unit.
· City of Riverside: (951) 826-5311 or online at riversideca.gov
· CalRecycle: For large-scale or commercial dumping violations
· California EPA Enforcement: For hazardous waste violations
See our complete illegal dumping guide for evidence collection tips and California state penalties.
Are there free junk removal options in Riverside, CA?
Yes. The City of Riverside offers free bulky item pickup by appointment (2 per year, up to 5 items each, call 951-826-5311). On the 3rd Saturday of every month, residents can drop off bulky items and yard waste free at Agua Mansa Transfer Station (1830 Agua Mansa Rd) with a utility bill. Donation pickup is available free through Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, and Goodwill for usable items.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Riverside?
Call (951) 826-5311 to schedule. You get 2 appointments per year, up to 5 items each. Items must be curbside by 5:30 AM on your scheduled day. The 5-item limit counts 3 trash bags (up to 20 lbs each) as 1 item, with a maximum of 15 bags per appointment.
What is SB 1383 and how does it affect Riverside residents?
SB 1383 requires all Riverside residents to sort waste into three carts: trash (brown), recyclables (blue), and organics/food scraps (green). Food scraps are no longer acceptable in the trash cart as of January 2022. All three carts are collected on the same day weekly, starting at 6:00 AM.
How do I report illegal dumping in Riverside?
Contact City of Riverside Public Works at (951) 826-5311 or report online at riversideca.gov. For California environmental crimes, contact CalRecycle. Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.