The short answer
No. Altadena is unincorporated Los Angeles County, so Pasadena's trash rules and its two free bulky pickups don't apply. Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa have an LA County franchise hauler, Universal Waste Systems, which took over on October 1, 2022. To get a bulky item picked up, you call Universal Waste Systems. Hacienda Heights works the same way with a different hauler, Valley Vista Services.
Why Altadena isn't on Pasadena's system
Altadena sits right next to Pasadena, and the addresses can blur together. But Altadena isn't part of the City of Pasadena. It's unincorporated LA County, so trash service is set up by LA County Public Works through a residential franchise contract.
That means Pasadena's programs, including its two free bulky item pickups a year for single-family residents, are for Pasadena residents. If you live in Altadena, you use the county's hauler.
Who picks up trash in Altadena
Universal Waste Systems (UWS) holds the contract for trash, recycling and organic waste collection in Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa. Service under the contract began October 1, 2022. It replaced Athens Services, whose contract expired September 30, 2022.
The county's FAQ says the contract is exclusive, so you can't pick your own residential hauler. You do have the option to self-haul. LA County Public Works handles contract oversight if you have a service problem.
What Altadena's basic service includes
The county's Altadena FAQ spells out the basics. Basic service includes three 96-gallon carts: one for trash, one for recyclables and one for organic waste. Extra carts beyond those three cost more.
Smaller 32-gallon and 64-gallon carts are available on request, at no extra charge if you keep the same total capacity. Food waste goes in the green organics cart.
- Bear-resistant carts are available to customers who want them, at no additional cost
- Roll-out service is free for elderly or disabled customers with no able-bodied person in the household
- A 25% senior discount is available to residents who meet the county's criteria
How to request a bulky item pickup in Altadena
Bulky item collection is included in Altadena's service. The county page says to call Universal Waste Systems and select Option 6. The number is on the county page linked below.
The county page doesn't list how many bulky pickups you get per year, what they cost, or what's excluded. It points to the subscription form for those details, so ask when you call.
- Phone lines: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays
- Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Have your service address ready
Hacienda Heights: the other unincorporated area we serve
Hacienda Heights is also unincorporated LA County. In July 2021 the county awarded Valley Vista Services an exclusive residential franchise for the area, running August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2028.
Valley Vista's July 1, 2026 subscription order lists bulky item, excess trash and excess green waste pickups at no charge up to eight times a year and on move-in or move-out. Past eight, it lists $27.27 per collection.
| Per Hacienda Heights pickup | Limit (per the Valley Vista form) |
|---|---|
| Large items that don't fit in carts | Unlimited |
| Electronic waste | 10 items |
| Bags of clothing | Unlimited |
| Construction/demolition debris | 2 bags or bundles |
| Excess trash | Up to 5 bags |
| Excess green waste | Up to 10 bags or bundles |
Self-hauling or hiring help in Altadena
The county FAQ says the franchise is exclusive for residential cart service, and that residents can self-haul as an alternative. If you have a truck and the time, that's an option.
If you don't, you can hire a junk removal crew for one-time loads like old furniture, a garage cleanout or a move-out. Text photos of what's going so the price matches the load, and tell us about steep driveways or narrow streets. Some Altadena streets are narrow and winding, and access affects the job.
A note on the Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire started January 7, 2025, in the Altadena and Pasadena area. Cal Fire lists 14,021 acres burned and 9,419 structures destroyed.
This post covers everyday trash and bulky items only. It isn't guidance on fire debris. For anything fire-related, go to LA County's official recovery resources.
When to call Roa instead
County bulky pickup works when items are at the curb and can wait for the hauler's schedule. Roa Solution Junk Removal is for everything else: furniture still in the house, a garage that needs clearing, or a pickup you need this week.
We're based in Pasadena at 40 N Altadena Dr, and we work in Altadena and Hacienda Heights. We carry items out from inside. Pricing starts at $250, based on truck space, materials, weight, access and labor. Text photos to (562) 219-9266 for a price. Same-day or next-day depends on availability.
Sources
- LA County Public Works: Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa trash collection
- LA County Public Works: Altadena/Kinneloa Mesa Residential Trash Collection FAQ (PDF)
- Valley Vista Services: Hacienda Heights Subscription Order, July 1, 2026 (PDF)
- City of Pasadena: Residential Recycling and Refuse Services
- Cal Fire: Eaton Fire incident page
Rules change. Check the city or county page before you rely on a limit, fee or date.