JANUARY 2026

NEW YEAR, NEW LOW-WASTE HABITS

The start of the year is a great time to set intentions and work toward establishing new habits.

Here are a few impactful actions you can take toward reducing waste:

Repair broken items: Repair over replace! Learn about LB Fixit Clinics, fill out the interest form to be a volunteer fixer, or attend a future LB Fixit Clinic event (2026 events will be announced soon).

Choose to reuse: Reduce single-use disposables by bringing your own cup, bag, utensils, and containers when going out to eat or shop. View a list of reuse-friendly businesses on our website.

Store produce to reduce food waste: Reference our Produce Storage Guide when putting away produce after a grocery trip! This effort can save money and reduce food waste.

Compost your food scraps and yard trimmings: Did you know separating your food scraps and yard trimmings into your green cart creates nutrient-rich compost? Learn more about the residential organics (green cart) program at longbeach.gov/lborganics. You can also learn how to start a backyard compost or vermicompost at home, find more information and resources on our website.

RECYCLE YOUR TEXTILES EVENT

Saturday, January 31, 2026

10 a.m.- 2 p.m. (or until capacity is reached)

Ripped jeans? Stained t-shirt? Drop off your unwanted textiles such as clothing, towels, and light blankets at this one-day event hosted in partnership with SUAY!

Bring your textiles to any of the drop-off locations:

Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.)
Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.)
El Dorado Park West (2760 E. Barrios St.)

Textiles collected will be recycled and remade into new products, diverting them from landfills.

Accepted Items:

Clothing
Towels
Light blankets

Items with rips, stains or holes are accepted (and encouraged!).

Not Accepted:

Undergarments (socks, bras, underwear)
Sheets, pillowcases, duvets
Stuffed items (pillows, comforters)
Animal furs
Children's clothing

Learn More

TREECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAY TREE AT NO COST

Keep the memories, recycle the tree! Drop off your holiday tree from December 26, 2025, to January 9, 2026, at one of the 13 drop-off locations.

Drop-Off Dates & Times:

December 26- January 9

Mon-Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sat-Sun: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Drop-Off Locations:

Bixby Park
Cesar E. Chavez Park
El Dorado Park
Houghton Park
Hudson Park
Public Works Environmental Services Office
Orizaba Park
Scherer Park
Stearns Park
Veterans Park
Wardlow Park
Whaley Park North
Will Rogers Mini Park

View the Map for Exact Drop-Off Locations

Special Collection Date:

Residents with City refuse, recycling, and organics collection may also place their tree out on January 10 by 7:00 a.m. at their regular collection location.

Note: Holiday trees are not accepted in your trash, recycling, or organics carts. Natural wreaths without non‑organic decorations are allowed in organics (green) carts.

QUICK TIPS TO KEEP YOUR GREEN CART CLEAN

Follow these quick tips to keep your green cart fresh and clean:

Line the bottom of your cart or layer material: Placing dry material such as cardboard, used paper, or yard trimmings at the bottom of your cart (before food scraps) absorbs liquids, keeping your cart fresh and clean.

Store food scraps in your fridge or freezer: Placing your food scraps container in your fridge or freezer until collection day minimizes odors.

Wrap food scraps in used paper: While we recommend placing food scraps into your green cart unbagged, you can also wrap them in used paper (like newspaper) or a paper bag.

COMMIT TO A LOW-WASTE HABIT!

Did you submit a response? We will select one winner to win a reusable starter kit!

Look out for an email from lbrecycles@longbeach.gov to see if you've won.

Which low-waste habit do you want to commit to for the New Year?

A. Repair broken items

B. Choose to reuse

C. Compost food scraps and yard trimmings

D. Reduce food waste

E. All of the above

DOOR-TO-DOOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Keep an eye out for us! You may see us in your neighborhood.

The City has teamed up with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach on a door-to-door education campaign to:

Share tips: Learn what goes in trash, recycling, and organics carts.
Check carts (6 a.m.- 9 a.m.): See campaign progress and how households are sorting.
Leave tags: Educational reminders of what to improve or praise for getting it right!

HOLIDAY SERVICE REMINDER

In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, many City of Long Beach facilities will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, and some services will be impacted.

🚛 ♻️ Refuse/Recycling/Organics

Refuse, recycling, and organics collection will occur on January 19th.

📞The Customer Call Center will be closed on January 19th.

Holiday Collection Schedule

HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF EVENTS

Please help keep toxic chemicals out of our neighborhoods and environment! Household hazardous waste cannot be disposed of in the trash or any curbside cart.

Long Beach residents have access to household hazardous waste drop-off events at no cost.