Residents Services

• Organics

  

  Welcome to your Organics Recycling Program!
  CR&R Environmental Services, together with the City of Lake Forest, launched an Organics Recycling Program on July 1st, 2021. The program co-collects food scraps and yard waste in your green cart. The organic material collected will be taken to one of CR&R’s approved composting facilities to be converted into compost.

  Yard Waste
  Acceptable Items	Unacceptable Items
  Grass clippings	Palm fronds
  Leaves	Pet waste
  Weeds
  Prunings
  Flowers
  Wood scraps/chips
  Kitchen
  Acceptable Items	Unacceptable Items
  Fruit	Crustacean shells
  Bread	Meat bones
  Fish
  Meat
  Vegetables
  Dairy
  Coffee & Filter
  Compostable bags
  Food soiled paper

  Tips for your Green Organics Cart

  • Place yard waste at the very bottom of the cart first to absorb liquids
  • Alternate layers of yard waste and food scraps
  • Sprinkle baking soda on top of your food scraps
  • Drain excess liquids before placing food scraps in the cart
  • Use compostable bags for food scraps
  • Keep the cart in a covered or shaded area out of direct sunlight
• Curbside Pickup Information

  
  CR&R Recommends the Following On Collection Day

  • Carts should be placed at curbside no later than 6:30 a.m. on collection day.
  • Please place your carts side-by-side approximately one (1) foot apart and at least three (3) feet from any obstruction (i.e. car, fire hydrant, trees).
  • Place your carts with the handles and wheels facing towards your home.
  • Please remove from curbside within 12 hours after service.
  • Items not in carts will not be collected.

  Cart Reminders

  • The blue cart is for recyclables.
  • The gray cart is for waste.
  • The green cart is for organics.
• Holiday Schedule

  
  CR&R Observes the Following Holidays

  • New Years Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

  If the holiday falls during the week, service postponed by one day the remainder of the week. Example: If Independence Day is a Monday, and your normal collection day is Thursday, we'll see you on Friday.

• Container Information

  
  Container Information
  Residents may order the following size(s) of containers.

  • 35-gallon automated cart – 38.50”H x 19.25”W x 24.25”D
  • 65-gallon automated cart – 41.75"H x 24.25"W x 31.75"D
  • 95-gallon automated cart – 43.25”H x 29.75”W x 35.25”D

  Container dimensions are approximate.

  Each residential customer is provided a set of carts included in their quarterly rate. If you generate more recyclables and organics on a consistent basis, you may order up to two (2) additional recyclables and two (2) additional organics carts at no additional charge. Charges will apply for the fourth (4th) recycle or organics cart.

  Special Collections
  Larger waste collection containers (from 10 to 40 yards) are available for clean-up projects and other disposal needs.

• Recycling

  
  It's important to identify and remove materials unsuitable for recycling. Please review this section for more information on what's acceptable and unacceptable for Recycling. If you have questions about how to join the recycling program in your area, or plan a clean-up project, please contact the office located closest to you.

  Recyclable Paper
  Acceptable Items	Unacceptable Items
  Milk or Juice Cartons	Mixed products such as combinations of paper and metal.
  Corrugated Cardboard	Waxed Paper
  Junk Mail
  Magazines
  Phonebooks
  Chipboard (Cereal/Cracker Boxes)
  Newspaper
  Computer paper
  Any White Paper
  Recyclable Plastics
  Please remove liquids, lids and food residue from all recyclables before placing them in the recycling container.
  Acceptable Items	Unacceptable Items
  PET: soft drink bottles, photo film canisters	Flower/Plant Containers
  HDPE: detergent containers, plastic water/milk containers, pails, t-shirt bags	No Mixed Products (ie plastic/metal combination)
  PVC: sprinkler pipe
  LDPE: trash can liners, shrink wrap, grocery bags
  PP: yogurt containers, luggage, drinking straws
  PS: plastic plates, cups egg cartons, food trays
  Other: Tupperware and mixed plastic containers
  Plastic Toys
  Recyclable Metal
  Acceptable Items	Unacceptable Items
  Empty Aerosol Cans	Automotive Parts
  Metal Coat Hangers	Plumbing Parts
  Aluminum Cans	No Mixed Products such as combinations of metal and paper
  Tin Cans
  Food and Juice Jars
  Empty Paint Cans (dry paint is OK)
  Metal Foil
  Lawn Furniture
  Recyclable Glass
  Acceptable Items	Unacceptable Items
  Food and Beverage Bottles	Ceramic
  Glass Jars and Bottles	Mirrors
  House Windows	Fluorescent Tubes
  Liquor, Soda and Juice Bottles	Light Bulbs
  Tempered Glass	Safety Glass
  Pyrex

• Hazardous Waste

  
  Due to changes in California Environmental Protection Legislation, certain waste products are no longer accepted at the landfill or recycling center. CR&R will hold weekend HHW collection events twice annually for the collection of items listed below as part of your regular service with CR&R at no additional cost.

  Examples:

  • Auto Fluids
  • Cleaning Products
  • Paint & Solvents
  • Pesticides/Herbicides
  • Pool Chemicals
  • Non-Empty Aerosol Cans

  Please check back for event dates and more detailed information about this new service.

• Bulky Items

  
  Items that cannot fit in your automated carts are considered "bulky items." CR&R will provide up to two (2) bulky item collections per calendar year.  A bulky item consists of up to four (4) items per pick up or up to 20 bundles or bags of green waste.  The service is provided at no additional cost.  In addition, you may schedule a free pick up of pure recyclable material such as flattened cardboard boxes or paper.

  Common bulky items include:

  • Couches
  • Desks
  • Chairs
  • Tables
  • Mattresses
  • Excess Green Waste
  • Sleeper couches
  • Range
  • Washer/Dryer

  Universal Waste such as, Fluorescent tubes, Thermostats containing Mercury, Heat Lamps containing Mercury, and Batteries (other than automotive) are collected for a nominal fee.

  Refrigerators and appliances that contain Freon and other chemicals require special handling.  Electronic Waste such as, a dishwasher, microwave, Television and Computer Peripherals may all be collected for a nominal charge.

  To arrange a pickup of bulky items, Universal Waste, or a Refrigerator containing Freon on your regular service day, please use ourOnline Scheduling Service.

• Special Services

  
  Customers with disabilities may request pull out service at no additional charge, proof of disability will be required.

  Christmas tree recycling will occur annually for a full two weeks following December 25th. We ask that you place your tree at the curb on your regular collection day, remove all ornaments and the tree stand. If the tree is over 6’ tall please cut it in half. Our tree collectors will remove your tree without having to call our office.