Recycling rules in Cerritos, CA

Cerritos, CA curbside pickup is served by Athens Services, which uses a 3-cart system (recycling, organics/compost, and trash).

Not sure which bin something goes in? Scan it with your phone camera and get an instant answer.

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What goes in which bin in Cerritos, CA

Plastic water & soda bottles	♻️ Recycle	Empty; keep the cap on.
Milk & detergent jugs (#2)	♻️ Recycle	Rinse.
Aluminum & steel cans	♻️ Recycle	Rinse.
Glass food jars & bottles	♻️ Recycle	Lids off; food glass only.
Newspaper, mail, office paper	♻️ Recycle	Clean & dry.
Flattened cardboard	♻️ Recycle	Clean sections.
Clear #1 clamshells	♻️ Recycle	Only if NOT black.
Fruit & veggie scraps	🌱 Compost	Remove produce stickers.
Coffee grounds & paper filter	🌱 Compost	—
Meat, bones, dairy, bread	🌱 Compost	Food scraps go in organics.
Yard trimmings & leaves	🌱 Compost	—
Greasy pizza box	🌱 Compost	Clean box → recycle instead.
Paper napkins & towels	🌱 Compost	Food-soiled, uncoated.
Disposable coffee cups & lids	🗑️ Landfill	Plastic-lined — not recyclable.
Plastic bags & film	🗑️ Landfill	Store drop-off is better.
Styrofoam / foam #6	🗑️ Landfill	Cups, plates, packing foam.
Black plastic	🗑️ Landfill	Sorters can't detect it.
Plastic straws & utensils	🗑️ Landfill	Anything under 4 inches.
Ceramic mugs & drinking glasses	🗑️ Landfill	Not container glass.
Chip bags & candy wrappers	🗑️ Landfill	Mixed materials.
Batteries	⚠️ Hazardous	Never curbside — tape terminals.
Electronics & cords	⚠️ Hazardous	E-waste drop-off.
Paint, motor oil, chemicals	⚠️ Hazardous	Household hazardous waste.
Fluorescent tubes & CFL bulbs	⚠️ Hazardous	Contain mercury.

Cerritos, CA recycling FAQ

Can you recycle pizza boxes in Cerritos, CA?

A greasy pizza box goes in the green organics/compost cart; a clean, grease-free box can be flattened and recycled.

Can you recycle styrofoam in Cerritos, CA?

No — Styrofoam (foam #6) is not recyclable in curbside bins. It goes in the black landfill cart.

Can you recycle plastic bags in Cerritos, CA?

Not in the curbside recycling cart — plastic bags and film jam the sorting machines. Take them to a store drop-off, or put them in the trash.

Can you recycle disposable coffee cups in Cerritos, CA?

No — paper coffee cups have a plastic lining, so they go in the black landfill cart, not recycling or compost.

Can you recycle batteries in Cerritos, CA?

Never in any curbside cart. Batteries are household hazardous waste — tape the terminals and take them to an e-waste/HHW drop-off.

Still not sure?

Rules vary by material and by hauler, and the sorting line is strict — one wrong item can contaminate a whole load. When in doubt, point your camera at the item for a verdict, or check the official Athens Services guide.