Recycling Made Easy

Burrtec makes every effort to make recycling easy for residential customers. It is a smart way to make the City of Duarte better.

Automated Recyclables Collection & Blue Barrel

Automated recyclables collection is provided once a week on regular trash collection days. A blue 60-gallon barrel is provided and an additional blue barrel is available at no charge by calling Burrtec. Remember recyclables can be mixed together.

What goes in your blue barrel?

• Glass bottles & jars 
• Plastic bottles & containers
• Aluminum & metal cans
• Paper, cartons & cardboard

List of Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Recyclable Items
Remember, if it’s not on the list, give Burrtec a call and they will check it out.

Green Waste Collection & Green Barrel

Automated green waste collection is provided once a week on regular trash collection days.  A green 60- gallon barrel is provided and additional green barrels are available for a fee.  Residents may also use their own barrels and/or tied 4’x2’ bundles for excess green waste.

What goes in your green barrel?

• Grass clippings
• Tree and shrub trimmings
• Prunings
• Weeds
• Leaves
• Brush
• Twigs & small branches

Composting

Residents are encourages to attend a free Smart Gardening workshop sponsored by Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. No reservation needed. Learn to reduce yard waste and improve your lawn and garden. Workshops are about 1.5 hours. Get step by step instructions on how to compost, the benefits and biology.  Beginning Workshops introduce you to smart gardening. Advance Workshops are for those that love to garden. Click here for the latest schedule.

China National Sword Policy Impacts on Recycling 

Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program & Extra Holiday Trash

Christmas trees can be recycled. Burrtec Waste Services provides a Christmas tree collection service for residential customers in conjunction with the Sanitation districts of Los Angeles annual Christmas Tree Recycling program. For more information about the Christmas tree recycling program, call City Hall at (626) 357-7931 or Burrtec at 800-325-9417. Information about the County’s Christmas Tree Recycling program is available by calling 888-CleanLA or by visiting http://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/cleanla/

Tree Recycling Tips

• Place trees curbside on regular trash collection days.
• Remove all decorations, lights and metal stands off of the tree.
• Trees 6’ and over need to be cut in half.

Flocked trees will NOT be recycled; they will be collected as trash. Flocked trees 6’ and over need to be cut in half.

Holiday Trash & Recycling Collection

Approximately 80% of holiday trash is recyclable. All gift boxes, wrapping paper, greeting cards and cardboard packaging are items that may be placed in the recycling barrel. Burrtec will collect excess holiday trash and recyclables. Single-family residences may place excess holiday trash/recyclables in bags alongside their containers on collection day.

Used Motor Oil Recycling/Oil Changes

Duarte residents have two convenient options for the proper disposal of used motor oil and used filters. Recycling used oil is easy thanks to Burrtec Waste Services. Residential customers can contact Burrtec up to three times per year for curbside pickup. Used oil and filters may also be delivered to a certified collection center for recycling. FACT: Just one gallon of used motor oil can contaminate 1,000,000 gallons of fresh water. 

By volume, used motor oil is one of the largest hazardous waste streams in California. While about 70% is recovered and recycled, the remaining 30% remains unaccounted for and poses a significant threat to the environment due to its insoluble nature and heavy metal content.  Disposing of used motor oil or filters into the trash is illegal.  Also, pouring used motor oil onto the ground or into storm drains contaminates our soil, our waterways, and our groundwater supply.  Do your part to protect the environment, and conserve a valuable natural resource...always recycle used motor oil and filters.

Option 1) Request curbside pick-up through Burrtec Waste Services.  Used motor oil and filter pick-ups take place on trash day, and must be scheduled at least one day in advance.  This service is available to single family homes.  Up to three free collections may be requested per calendar year. Contact Burrtec at 800-325-9417.

Option 2) Deliver used motor oil and filters to a certified collection center.  Two collection centers exist in the City of Duarte. Never mix oil with any other fluids or substances.  Deliver used oil and filters during business hours only.

Free used oil recycling kits are available to Duarte residents. Each recycling kit includes a 10-quart drain container, filter collection bags, and an information card. To obtain a kit, stop by Duarte City Hall, or contact Burrtec at 800-325-9417 for home delivery.

Questions? Call 1-888-CleanLA or visit CleanLA.com

Further, did you know that your car may not need an oil change as often as you think?  Advancements in vehicle and oil technologies allow us to go longer between oil changes, saving time, money, and natural resources.  Be a part of CalRecycle’s “Check Your Number” campaign.  This campaign urges drivers to check their owner’s manual or consult an authorized dealership for the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval.  Visit CheckYourNumber.org for more information, and the recommended oil change interval for most vehicle models.

Battery Recycling (Household)

There are three locations in Duarte:

WalMart, 1600 Mountain Avenue - Phone: (626) 359-7708

Autozone, 1346 East Huntington Drive - Phone: (626) 357-0554

Duarte Library, 1301 Buena Vista Street - Phone (626) 358-1865 

For a full listing of sites, please visit www.Earth911.com

Home-generated SHARPS waste, hypodermic needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household.  State law prohibits residents from disposing home-generated SHARPS waste in the trash.  Burrtec residential barrel service customers are eligible to participate in the SHARPS Collection Program.  A SHARPS container may be picked up at the Burrtec Office located at 1017 West Gladstone St., Azusa 91702 or contact Burrtec to have a container delivered. 

Deposit used syringes, needles and lancets into the red container the sharp end first.  Do not overfill the container.  Once the container is ¾ full, snap the cap firmly to close and place in the plastic sealed bag.  Return the full container to the local Burrtec facility.