TRASH AND RECYCLING SERVICES
 

CR&R

CR&R, Incorporated provides trash and recycling collection services in Lake Forest using a fleet of natural gas vehicles which are environmentally friendly, and have limited wear and tear on City streets. Residents with questions regarding services can visit the CR&R website, or contact customer service at (949) 625-6735.

Remember on Collection Day

1. Carts should be placed at the curbside no later than 6:30 a.m. on collection day and removed from the curbside within 12 hours after service.
2. Carts should be placed with the handles and wheels facing towards your home.
3. Place carts side-by-side approximately 1 foot apart and at least 3 feet from any obstruction (i.e. vehicles, fire hydrants, trees)
4. Items placed outside of carts will not be collected. Cart lids should be closed. Please do not overload.

Holiday Schedule of Non-Collection Days 

If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, trash will be collected on your normal collection day with no delays. If the holiday falls on a day during the week, collection for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.

Non-Collection Days:

• New Years Day
• Memorial Day
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Need to recycle something? 

It is easy to be green in Lake Forest when you reduce, reuse, and recycle! Keeping Lake Forest green starts with our residents. By recycling materials residents are contributing to the safety and health of our community for future and current generations. Recyclable items can be placed in your recycling cart or bin. The CR&R Residential Brochure (PDF) contains information regarding the items that can be placed in the recycling containers and other services. 

Lake Forest residents can further their commitment to keeping Lake Forest green by reusing materials. Reusable items can be donated or purchased at both Salvation Army and Goodwill locations.

What Goes Where? 

If you need help with deciding where to place your waste, the CR&R Residential What Goes Where Flyer can help you. This flyer is available in English and Spanish. Please contact CR&R or the Public Works Department for more information.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) are products that are flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic.They are dangerous to the public and environment. It is illegal to dispose of HHW in any of your automated carts.

Examples of Hazardous Waste Include:

• Automotive Fluids
• Cleaning Products
• Fertilizers
• Herbicides
• Medical Sharps
• Non-empty Aerosol cans
• Paint and Solvents
• Pesticides
• Pool Chemicals
• Propane

The County of Orange operates year-round drop-off centers. The nearest center is located in Irvine. For hours of operation or more information on HHW centers, contact the County of Orange at 714.834.6752 or visit the Orange County Landfills website.

Disposal of Used Oil: Do not dispose of oil or oil filters with regular household trash. You can dispose of up to five gallons of used motor oil at a household hazardous waste collection center or a certified oil collection center. See the link above for the location of a HW center near you.

For more information regarding the disposal of used oil please visit CalReycle's Used Oil Recycle Program.

Bulky Items

Items that cannot fit in your automated carts are considered bulky items. Bulky items must be manageable by a two-person crew.

Examples of Bulky Items include:

• Chairs
• Couches
• Desks
• Excess Green Waste
• Mattresses
• Tables

Each residential customer is entitled to 2 bulky item pick-ups free of charge per calendar year. A bulky item service may include a combination of 4 large items or 2) bags of material. Additional pick-ups may be arranged for a nominal charge.

Temporary Collections

Larger waste collection containers (from 3 yards to 40 yards) are available for clean-up projects and other disposal needs. For additional pricing details or to arrange for a delivery of a larger container to your residence or business, please call CR&R Customer Service.

Free Recycle Pick-Up

If you have large amounts of paper or cardboard we will collect them at the curb and it will not count as a bulky pick-up. Call Customer Service to schedule at (949) 625-6735.

Carpet Recycling

Did you know carpet can be recycled to make new products? Find the nearest drop-off site at CarpetRecovery.org by entering your address.

Mattress and Box Spring

Discard a used mattress or box spring by visiting  ByeByeMattress.com or calling (855) 700 – 9973.

When purchasing a new mattress, you can also ask the retailer for details regarding a pickup for your used mattress.

Medication and Sharps Disposal

Some medications can be disposed of in the trash, however, it is important to properly throw medications away so that they do not pose any threats to the environment or people handling the disposed medication. View five easy steps on how to throw away your medications (PDF). It is also important to remember that you should not flush medications down the toilet.

It is illegal to dispose of any home-generated sharps waste in trash or recycling containers. California law mandates that all sharps must be safely disposed of in a heavy-duty, puncture-resistant container with a tight-fitting lid. Sharps users have several outlets available to them to learn about appropriate disposal, please visit the Orange County Waste and Recycling website.

PaintCare Program: Recycle your Paint

The PaintCare Program will make proper paint disposal more convenient for the public by setting up hundreds of new paint drop-off sites at retailers throughout the State. The non-profit will arrange for recycling and proper disposal of unused paint. Please see the links provided for the nearest location within the Lake Forest area.

View Program Details and Locations (PDF)

What products are covered? (PDF)

E-Waste and Universal Wastes

Electronic Waste (e-Waste) is anything with a circuit board or battery. It is illegal to dispose of e-Waste in any of your automated carts. CR&R will legally dispose of these items for a nominal fee.

Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that contain mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, and other substances hazardous to human and environmental health. In general, universal waste may not be discarded in solid waste landfills or placed in any of your automated carts.

Please call CR&R Customer Service at (949) 625-6735 to arrange a curbside pick up of E-waste or Universal Waste.