Christmas Tree Recycling and Other Trash Talk

We get calls in the Chamber office all the time regarding trash pickup. It can be very confusing here in the Crescenta Valley because not only are we made up of two different municipalities (City of Glendale and unincorporated County of Los Angeles), we have multiple trash service companies serving single-family residences, multi-family apartment buildings and various types of businesses.

Here’s what you need to know in a nutshell.

If you live in a single-family dwelling in unincorporated County of L.A. (the area roughly between Pennsylvania and Ocean View Avenues in La Crescenta and parts of Montrose), your trash company is Burrtec. For information about Burrtec’s services, call (800) 325-9417. Their services include:

Christmas Tree Recycling. Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 8, trucks will pick up trees for recycling if placed curbside, ornaments and stand removed, on your collection day. Trees over six feet tall must be cut in half. Flocked trees will be collected but not recycled.

Bulky Item Pickup. At single-family dwellings, Burrtec will pick up bulky items, electronic waste included, twice per year at no charge. Call the number above for a pickup.

Abandoned Trash Pickup. If you see abandoned trash on property other than your own, you must call an L.A. County code compliance officer at (800) 993-5844. They will make arrangements with Burrtec.

Hazardous Waste:  Call the Hazardous Waste Hotline at (888) 253-2652 to learn the closest drop-off center.

If you live in City of Glendale (roughly between Pennsylvania and Lowell Avenues from the top of the mountain down toward Montrose Old Town, Sparr Heights and GCC), your trash service is City of Glendale Integrated Waste Management Division. Call them at (818) 548-3916.

Christmas Tree Recycling. Between Dec. 28 and mid-January, City of Glendale will pick up trees for recycling if placed curbside, ornaments and stand removed, on your collection day. Trees over eight feet tall must be cut in half. At multi-family dwellings, they ask that residents place their trees together in the parkway, not in the refuse collection rooms.

Bulky Item Pickup. City of Glendale offers unlimited bulky item pickups, including electronic waste and household appliances. They will also pick up abandoned trash anywhere in the City of Glendale, even if the property is serviced by another trash company. Call (818) 548-3916. Bulky items can also be dropped off at the Glendale Recycling Center, 540 W. Chevy Chase, (818) 552-2870.

Hazardous Waste. Drop off items at the Environmental Management Center, 780 Flower St., Glendale on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proof of residency is required.

Neither Burrtec nor the City of Glendale will pick up trash on Christmas or New Year’s days. Those with regular Friday pickups will have their trash collected on Saturday the next two weeks. Don’t feed the local wildlife by putting your trashcans out too early!

Finally, approximately 80% of businesses and many apartment buildings use private trash companies such as Waste Management, Allied, Athens or Republic to haul their waste bins. Citizens would need to call them directly for questions and concerns.

Upcoming Events
Reservations are due next Thursday, Dec. 31 for the Chamber’s Installation and Pinola/Education Fund Luncheon happening Thursday, Jan. 14 at Oakmont. See our website for reservation form.

  Lisa DUPUY