Frequently Asked Questions

Each household receives free quarterly collection pick-ups per year (up to four items), and quarterly household hazardous waste (HHW) collection. To schedule a bulky item pick-up or HHW collection, please contact the Universal Waste Systems (UWS) customer service team at (562) 941-4900. 

Senate Bill (SB) 1383 establishes methane reduction targets for California by way of reducing organic waste in landfills, including edible food. The purpose of SB 1383 is to reduce greenhouse emissions such as methane, and address food insecurity in California. To learn more about SB 1383, please visit the City's Solid Waste & Recycling Mandates page by clicking here.

Food Finders is a local organization, that can help food generating businesses meet food recovery mandates outlined by SB 1383. To contact Food Finders, please contact Chris Wong at (562) 283-1400. Click here to learn more about Food Finders. 

Los Alamitos residents and businesses began receiving waste hauling services from the City's new solid waste service provider on January 1, 2022. To learn more about Universal Waste Systems Inc. (UWS), click here to visit the City's Trash Collection Services page. 

Organic waste is any material that is biodegradable and comes from either a plan or an animal. Examples of organic waste includes green waste, food waste, food-soiled paper, non-hazardous wood waste, and landscape pruning waste. Click here to learn more about the proper disposal of waste. 

As required by the State of California via SB 1383, all Californians are now required to sort separate food waste from recyclables and green waste - this affects all Los Alamitos residents and businesses. If you are a business or multi-family complex of five units or more facing space constraint issues with an additional bin, you may be eligible to receive a waiver form these mandatory programs; however, only those who request and receive a waiver from the City are exempt from mandatory participation. If a waiver is not approved by the City, your business or property will be required to participate in the mandated services. 

To submit an application for a waiver, please complete the following application and submit to the Development Services Department for review: click here to download the SB 1383 Solid Waste & Recycling Regulation - Waiver Request Form. 

To access your Universal Waste Systems (UWS) account online, please visit www.UWSCustomer.com or call (844) UWS-1100 for assistance.