Have you noticed more blue recycling carts appearing around the city? You might be wondering if the recycling rules have changed. Everything you used to recycle in your purple recycling cart belongs in your new blue recycling cart.

Items accepted in your recycling cart:

• Plastic bottles, jugs and tubs
• Paper and cardboard
• Metal cans and aluminum
• Glass bottles and jars

Ready to help friends, family, or neighbors recycle right? Print the guidelines below to share with others!

Place these items in your trash cart:

• Plastic and plastic-lined cups, plates and containers
• Plastic bags, plastic wrap, snack bags, candy wrappers
• Beverage pouches, freezer trays and boxes
• Padded envelopes, foam packaging materials
• Plastic, foam, and compostable containers, utensils, lids and straws
• Ceramics, broken glass

This session of the Compost and Recycling Ambassador (CRA) program was truly inspiring! Last week, we celebrated our latest graduates as they delivered their final presentations, marking the end of a transformative seven-week journey.

This cohort was especially milestone-worthy, featuring our first-ever Spanish-language group! These local leaders spent the past two months building their sustainability skills and are now ready to volunteer across the city. We are incredibly proud of their dedication to making waste reduction accessible to everyone in Long Beach.

Interested in joining the next class? Keep an eye on our website for upcoming session announcements!

Calling all Long Beach educators and parents! 🌱Educational assembly performances, provided by Shows That Teach, are now available at no cost on a first‑come, first‑served basis while funding lasts.

These dynamic performances bring environmental science to life for elementary students through hands‑on learning about water science and conservation, gas safety, recycling, and organics.

Schedule an assembly by calling (760) 224-0567 or emailing scheduleassemblies@gmail.com

Did you know? Shredded paper is not recyclable in curbside recycling carts. Take advantage of this no-cost opportunity to securely shred documents and ensure the paper is recycled right at our next shred event!

The answer is A., trash cart!

Plastic bags, bubble wrap, chip wrappers and plastic film are the #1 "tanglers" at our recycling facility and always belong in the trash.

While they might have a recycling symbol on them, they do not belong in your recycling cart. These stretchy plastics get caught in the sorting machinery, causing dangerous jams and expensive shutdowns.

Help protect the environment and workers who serve our community. Household hazardous waste cannot be disposed of in the trash or any curbside cart because it can harm our soil and waterways and put collection crews at risk.

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

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes, but is not limited to:

• Lightbulbs
• Electronics
• Paint
• Pool and garden chemicals
• Medications
• Batteries

HHW & E-Waste Collection Events:



Gaffey Street S.A.F.E. Center Drop-Off

1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro Saturdays and Sundays

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Signal Hill EDCO HHW Drop-Off*

2755 California Ave., Signal Hill

Next event: March 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

*Beginning in July 2026, collection events at this location will shift to a new schedule. Please visit their website for event details.

See longbeach.gov/hhw for holiday closures.

E-Waste ONLY:



Conservation Corps Long Beach (CCLB) E-Waste Drop-Off Site*

340 Nieto Ave., Long Beach

Every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Conservation Corps Long Beach (CCLB) E-Waste Pickup*

Contact CCLB to schedule a free e-waste pickup by calling 562-577-2555 or 562-639-1446.

*CCLB accepts e-waste ONLY and does NOT accept used oil, tires, or other household hazardous waste.