FREE optional food waste collection pails are now available for pick-up!

The City of Upland and Burrtec Waste Industries are offering FREE optional food waste pails to help you collect and recycle your food waste. You can pick up a pail during regular business hours from the following location (Upland residents only, one per household):

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. SB 1383 establishes targets to:

• Achieve a 50% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75% reduction by 2025.
• Recover not less than 20% of currently disposed food for human consumption by 2025.

SB 1383 requires jurisdictions to implement mandatory organic waste collection and recycling in this statewide effort to divert organic waste from landfills. 

Upland residents are required to separate their food waste from other trash and recycling due to State Mandate SB 1383. Burrtec is now conducting inspections of residential trash bins. These inspections have become mandatory, and we want to ensure that our community complies with the regulations.

Here are some important details regarding the inspections:

1. Pre-inspection Notification: Before conducting an inspection, Burrtec will be sending a postcard to all households, notifying you of the upcoming inspection date. Please keep an eye on your mailbox for this notice.
2. Inspection Process: During the inspection, Burrtec's designated personnel will examine the contents of your trash bin to ensure that all waste materials are correctly sorted and disposed of according to the state guidelines.
3. Tagging System: If the inspection finds any contamination or improper sorting in your trash bin, a tag will be left at your door. This tag will explain the issue and provide guidance on how to rectify it. We encourage you to take prompt action to address any concerns.

It is essential that we all work together to maintain a clean and sustainable environment. Proper waste disposal plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter and thank you for helping us adhere to State Mandate SB 1383.

If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact the Solid Waste Division, (909)291-2967.

Watch the City of Upland's YouTube video below to learn more about Upland's food waste recycling program and how to collect and recycle food waste at home.

Am I required to participate? 
Yes. This is a California law that requires all residents, multi-family tenants, and commercial businesses to participate in food waste recycling in order to comply with SB 1383.

What type of plastic bags can I use? 
Any color plastic bag is acceptable. Bags do not need to be compostable or biodegradable, and we encourage you to reuse plastic bags you may already have, such as grocery bags, produce bags, and bread bags. Please do not use paper bags, as these tend to tear.

What is the benefit of recycling food waste?
Your recycling efforts contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from landfilled organic waste. This includes methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent that carbon dioxide. 

I already backyard compost, do I have to participate?
We encourage you to continue backyard composting. Organic items not suitable for backyard compost can be recycled through this program.

Can I use my garbage disposal instead?
No need to change your current garbage disposal use. Food currently being discarded in your trash barrel should now be bagged and placed in your green waste barrel.

What items are acceptable?
Fruits, vegetables, cooked meats, cooked seafood, dairy, eggshells, bread, food scraps, food soiled paper, plate scrapings, and expired food.

What items are not acceptable? 
Trash, styrofoam, liquids, glass, plastic, metal, diapers, pet waste, electronic waste, and hazardous waste. 

Learn more about how to collect food waste by viewing the PDF below:  

The City of Upland’s waste disposal needs, both residential and commercial, are served via Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. In our commitment to maintaining our State mandated 50% landfill diversion goal, recycling is an integral part of our waste management programs. We ask that it become a part of your disposal practices as well. For additional information about waste disposal services available or to request a service, please contact Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. 

• Burrtec Waste Industries Customer Service – (909) 949-0500
• For additional information, please see the Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. website.

Holiday Schedule:
On major holiday weeks, collection service will be delayed by one day beginning the day of the holiday through Saturday. Otherwise, if the observed holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, your collection will not be affected. The 6 major holidays are Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 

Household Hazardous Waste can be disposed of at the City's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Center.

• The program is located at the Upland City Yard and runs Saturdays from 7:30 am. to 12:30 p.m. with some exceptions.  The center will close during inclement weather rain, or/and 100-degree plus temperatures, on holiday weekends, and/or when material collections have reached capacity.
• For additional information about the City's HHW Program, click here.
• To visit the San Bernardino County Fire web page for Household Hazardous Waste, click here.
• For information regarding small business waste, click here.

The City’s agreement with Burrtec Waste Industries (Burrtec) for Solid Waste Collection Service (adopted by City Council on June 27, 2022), provides for automatic annual adjustments to solid waste rates beginning July 1, 2023, through and including July 1, 2026.  The annual rate adjustment is calculated based on a formula documented with the agreement. The maximum rates shall be adjusted based upon the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), All Urban Consumers for the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Area, as determined by the United States Department of Labor Statistics but shall not exceed 5 percent.

The new rates, included below, will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Please click below for solid more waste rates effective July 1, 2024  with Burrtec Waste Industries. 

This holiday season Burrtec's Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) are offering free Christmas tree mulch! Collected trees are delivered to Burrtec's Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) locations where they are off-loaded, processed, and transformed into renewable rich, nutrient products such as Christmas tree mulch. The City of Upland uses the Christmas tree mulch for landscape, parks, gardens, and open spaces while reducing landfill space and greenhouse gas emissions.

It is available through the end of January and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, and at no cost to Upland residents while supplies last.  Regular green mulch is also available at no cost.

Burrtec's West Valley Transfer Station (MRF): 13373 Napa Street Fontana, CA 92335, from Monday-Friday: 7am-4pm., Saturday: 7am-3pm, and Sunday: 8am-3pm. For additional information, please call (909) 899-0911.

For additional information, please see flyer below.