Residential Recycling

Coming Soon! Residential Food Scrap Collection

A new State law, SB 1383, requires food scraps to be collected with yard trimmings and other organic material (green container) instead of the trash (black container).

We will launch a residential food scrap collection program in spring of 2022. Check Burbankrecycle.org for periodic updates.

Please do not put food scraps in the green cart until Burbank has officially launched the program.

Where It Goes

Not sure which container to place your materials in? Get "answers at your disposal" with our helpful search guide! The Where it Goes guide helps you find information on what goes where for over 350 items and materials in multiple languages!

Be Cart Smart

NOTE: This is a list of the common items allowed in the blue lid or cart. If an item, like foam, is not on this list, it is most likely not recyclable in Burbank. A more comprehensive list of accepted items and other disposal instructions is found on the Where it Goes guide.

Acceptable Items (Must be 4" or larger in size)

Newspapers
Cans, emptied and rinsed (aluminum and tin/steel)
Cans, aerosol, non-hazardous, and completly empty
Glass bottles and jars, emptied and rinsed
Plastics
- #1 - bottles and jars and clear clamshells (produce containers, cups, and takeout ware)
- #2 - bottles and jugs
- #5 - tubs, yogurt containers, coffee can lids, etc. (no black)
Magazines, catalogs, and phone books
Junk mail, ads, office paper, cereal boxes (loose or in paper bags)
Cardboard, all kinds (clean half/lid of pizza boxes)
- Please remove all packaging/plastic wrap (and tape, when possible)

Prohibited Items

Paint and other hazardous items
Paper that has touched food (napkins, plates, cups, towels, tissues, food wrappers, frozen food boxes, soiled portion of pizza boxes)
Polystyrene Foam or Styrofoam
Plastic bags
Carbon papers
Metallic papers
Tissue/toilet paper
Garbage
Shredded paper
- While not accepted curbside, it can be placed in a plastic bag and dropped off directly to the Recycle Center.

Acceptable Items

Household trash
Dirt*
Horse manure

Prohibited Items

Household hazardous waste (paints, pesticides, medicines, chemicals, hair spray, etc.)
Liquid such as gas and oil
Hot ashes and coal
Dead animals**

*Containers can accommodate no more than 200 pounds. Please do not overload them with large quantities of sand, soil, or other heavy materials. Overloaded containers will be tagged and not emptied until materials are offloaded.

**Contact the Burbank Animal Shelter at (818) 238-3340 for more information about animals.

Food scraps will be allowed in the curbside collection green cart in Spring 2022! More details on how residents will be participating coming soon.

Please do not put food scraps in the green cart until Burbank has officially launched the program.

Acceptable Items

Yard Trimmings (leaves, grass clippings*, branches, brush, twigs, shrubs, hedges, etc.)
- *Grasscycling is a great way to recycle greenwaste.
Fallen fruit from trees
Untreated, unpainted, metal-free wood
- Please cut pieces to fit into the containter so the lid can close.

Prohibited Items

Household items
Plastic bags
Pet waste
Horse manure
Food (household food scraps will be allowed in Spring 2022!)
Dirt

Greenwaste and anything else that comes from the garden will be composted. Backyard composting is a great way to recycle greenwaste! Visit our composting page for more information or to request a City-provided compost bin (free to Burbank residents).