Recycling rules in Temecula, CA

📍 CR&R Inc. (City of Temecula) · 3-cart program

Who collects your recycling in Temecula, CA

Residential curbside collection in Temecula, CA is operated by CR&R Inc. under contract to the city — the city sets the program and the fees, and CR&R Inc. runs the trucks. Households get three carts — a blue cart for recyclables, a green cart for food scraps and yard trimmings, and a black cart for everything else.

That third cart isn't optional: California's SB 1383 requires organic-waste collection statewide, which is why food scraps have their own cart here instead of going in the trash.

The quick answer for Temecula, CA

Plastic bottles & jugs♻️ Blue cartEmpty; keep the cap on.
Aluminum & steel cans♻️ Blue cartGive them a rinse.
Flattened cardboard♻️ Blue cartClean, dry sections only.
Glass bottles & jars♻️ Blue cartLids off.
Food scraps🌱 Green cartFruit, veg, leftovers, bones.
Greasy pizza box🌱 Green cartA clean box can be recycled instead.
Plastic bags & film🗑️ Black cartStore drop-off is better.
Batteries⚠️ HazardousNever curbside — tape the terminals.

This is the short list. The full A–Z of what is and isn't recyclable is on what can I recycle? — or scan the item and get the answer for Temecula, CA directly.

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Temecula, CA recycling FAQ

Can you recycle plastic bags in Temecula, CA?
Not in your blue cart. Bags and film wrap around the sorting equipment at the facility CR&R Inc. uses, which is why they're excluded almost everywhere. Take clean, dry bags back to a grocery-store drop-off, or put them in your black cart.
What do I do with batteries in Temecula, CA?
Batteries never go in any of your Temecula, CA carts — not the blue cart, not the black cart. They're household hazardous waste and a genuine fire risk in the truck. Tape the terminals and take them to a local e-waste or household-hazardous-waste drop-off.

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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 CR&R Inc. (City of Temecula) guide.