LEAVES ARE FALLING, WASTE SHOULD TOO!

Fall into composting this fall!

Rake it, trim it, compost it. As the leaves begin to fall, give your yard trimmings a second life by placing leaves, plants and other green trimmings in your green organics cart. Together, we can transform seasonal yard trimmings into valuable, nutrient-rich compost and reduce landfill waste.

Yard Trimmings

Accepted:

Plant trimmings
Grass clippings
Leaves, flowers, twigs, and branches
Place yard trimmings in green carts unbagged.

NOT Accepted:

Palm fronds, cacti, and succulents SHOULD NOT BE DISPOSED OF IN GREEN CARTS.
For palm fronds and large logs, request a special collection. Composting facilities do not accept these.
Non-plant material, such as nursery tags, pots and plastic, should be removed and disposed of in the trash.

You can also learn how to start backyard composting or vermicomposting at home; find more information and resources on our website.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CART CLEAN!

Line the bottom of your green organics cart with cardboard or used paper to absorb liquids.
Collect food scraps in a container or paper bag near food prep areas. After emptying containers into the green organics cart, clean and return them to prep areas.
Store food scraps containers in the freezer until your collection day to help prevent odors.
Wrap food scraps in used paper.

Learn more about your organics "green" cart

WHERE DOES IT GO? PLASTIC 'COMPOSTABLE' BAGS

Where do plastic 'compostable' bags go?

A. Trash cart

B. Recycling cart

C. Organics 'green' cart

WHERE DOES IT GO? ANSWER....

A. TRASH

REMINDER: Do not place plastic bags labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' in the green cart. Our composting facilities cannot break down these types of products. Place all plastic labeled compostable or biodegradable in the trash cart.

SAVE THE DATE: SHRED EVENT

The City of Long Beach’s Department of Energy & Environmental Services is hosting its final shred event of the year, giving Long Beach residents an opportunity to securely dispose of confidential documents at no cost.

When: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 8 am – 10 am*

*May end earlier if the mobile shredding trucks on site reach capacity.

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium

4901 E. Conant St. (enter on Conant St.)

There is a limit of 3 boxes per vehicle and the box size cannot exceed 10” x 12” x 15” dimensions.

Accepted:

Confidential documents, white or color paper
Manila file folders, staples and paperclips
Envelopes and cardboard

Not Accepted:

CDs, hard drives and cell phones
Three-ring binders, credit cards
Hanging file folders, metal objects, plastics, glass, plastic bags, food, batteries, weapons

For questions, email lbrecycles@longbeach.gov.

LABOR DAY SERVICE REMINDER

🚛 ♻️ Refuse, Recycling and Organics Collection

Refuse, recycling and organics will be collected as scheduled on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.
The customer call center will be closed.

CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEAN UP DAY

The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) invites neighbors, families and friends across Long Beach to come together for the 42nd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. This longtime annual event gives the community an opportunity to make a positive impact by helping keep local beaches and marinas clean, healthy, and thriving.

This year’s cleanup will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 10 locations in Long Beach.

View Long Beach cleanup locations

LA28 SURVEY

The City of Long Beach is inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to participate in a survey to help ensure community priorities, perspectives and aspirations shape the City’s planning and preparations for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The online survey, available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and is open now through Sept. 30, 2026.