Sorting trash in Moorpark shouldn’t be confusing. If you’re moving in, refreshing your routine, or helping a family member manage a home, you want clear rules on what goes where and when. This quick guide covers the city’s three-cart system, SB 1383 requirements, pickups, bulky items, and hazardous waste options. Let’s dive in.
Moorpark rules and SB 1383
California’s SB 1383 requires every city to collect organic waste and recover more edible food. The state set targets that include a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal and a 20% edible food recovery goal by 2025, with local organics collection beginning January 1, 2022. You can review the statewide program details on the CalRecycle SB 1383 overview.
Moorpark follows these rules with a three-cart system for single-family homes: trash, recycling, and organics. The City’s Residential Trash Service page outlines service requirements, container colors, and holiday schedules.
Carts and service basics
Your hauler and account
Waste Management (WM) is Moorpark’s franchised hauler. Create or maintain a My WM account to check pickup days, request changes, report missed service, and schedule special collections. Find local tools and guidelines on the WM Moorpark service page.
Billing and pickup days
Residential billing is bi-monthly during odd-numbered months. Rates vary by cart size and number, and senior discounts or self-haul waivers may apply. Carts are collected between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on your service day. If a weekday holiday occurs, service moves one day later for the rest of that week.
Cart colors and sizes
- Green cart = Organics. Typical sizes: 64 or 96 gallons.
- Blue cart = Recycling. Typical sizes: 32, 64, or 96 gallons.
- Gray cart = Trash. Typical sizes: 64 or 96 gallons. New or replacement carts follow the state color scheme.
What goes where
Green organics cart
Accepted: yard trimmings (leaves, grass, small branches), all food scraps (raw or cooked, including meat, bones, and dairy), and food-soiled paper like greasy pizza boxes, napkins, and paper towels. Place yard trimmings loose. Moorpark instructs you to bag food scraps, and allows paper, plastic, or light-colored plastic bags, but not black bags. Large branches must meet size limits, such as cutting to 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter for curbside collection, per the Moorpark municipal code.
Not accepted: regular trash, hazardous waste, electronics, construction debris, or oversize wood beyond stated limits.
Blue recycling cart
Accepted: clean, dry bottles, cans, paper, cardboard, and applicable plastics per WM guidelines. Empty liquids, remove food, and keep recyclables loose. CRV containers can be redeemed at recycling centers.
Not accepted: plastic bags or film, food or food-soiled paper, hazardous waste, or electronics. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
Gray trash cart
Accepted: non-recyclable, non-organic household garbage, typically bagged. Do not place recyclables, organics, electronic waste, or hazardous waste in the trash when other options exist.
Bagging and contamination
Contamination happens when the wrong items go in a cart. Examples include food in recycling or plastics in the organics cart. WM may leave a notice, skip collection, or follow up if contamination persists. For details on how contamination is handled, see WM’s local contamination guidance.
Special pickups and drop-offs
- Bulky items: You get up to three free bulky-item pickups per calendar year, with up to four items per pickup. Schedule in advance with WM. Check details on Moorpark’s How Do I Dispose Of page.
- Appliances: Many large appliances are handled as bulky pickups. Some items may need special handling or fees. Schedule with WM.
- Christmas trees: The City offers a post-holiday curbside collection window and TreeCycle drop-off bins each January. Watch for seasonal dates on the City page.
- Household hazardous waste (HHW) and e-waste: Use Ventura County’s HHW facilities or events for paint, solvents, batteries, fluorescent tubes, e-waste, and more. Most events require appointments. See the County’s HHW appointment portal.
- Free landfill days: The region occasionally hosts Free Landfill Days for residents. Look for dates and accepted materials on the City’s residential service page.
Avoid fees and missed pickups
SB 1383 expects proper sorting. The City and WM focus on education first, yet repeated contamination or non-compliance can lead to fees or enforcement under local rules. Keep carts accessible and set out by 7:00 a.m. If a cart is not serviced, check for a contamination tag and submit a report through your My WM account.
Simple sorting tips
- Keep a small kitchen pail for food scraps and empty it into the green cart on collection day. Freezing higher-odor items until pickup can help.
- Line your pail with paper or a certified compostable bag if preferred, or use no liner and rinse often. Avoid black bags in organics.
- Flatten and dry cardboard, and rinse containers so recycling stays clean. Never bag recyclables in plastic.
- When in doubt about compostable service ware or unusual items, use WM’s what-goes-where tools or call WM for guidance.
Doing your part keeps Moorpark clean and compliant, and it protects our landfills and air quality. If you are planning a move, prepping a property for sale, or organizing services for a loved one, connect with a local expert who can help you navigate the details. For trusted guidance on Ventura County living, reach out to Heidi Golff.
FAQs
Do Moorpark residents have to separate food scraps?
- Yes. Moorpark requires residents to use the green organics cart for food scraps and yard trimmings as part of its SB 1383 program.
What bags can I use for food scraps in Moorpark?
- The City instructs residents to bag food scraps using paper, plastic, or light-colored plastic bags, and not black bags. When in doubt, confirm with WM’s local guidance.
Can greasy pizza boxes go in recycling in Moorpark?
- No. Food-soiled paper, including greasy pizza boxes, belongs in the green organics cart, not the blue recycling cart.
How do I dispose of paint, batteries, or used oil in Moorpark?
- Take them to Ventura County’s HHW facilities or events. Most require appointments and have limits on quantities and container sizes.
How many free bulky-item pickups do Moorpark homes get?
- You are allowed up to three free bulky pickups per calendar year, with up to four items per pickup, when scheduled with WM.
What happens if my cart is contaminated or missed in Moorpark?
- WM may tag contaminated carts, skip service, and request corrections. Report missed pickups and get service updates through your My WM account.
