Welcome to the City’s Solid Waste Services webpage. Our goal is to make it easy for residents and businesses to access the information and services needed to manage waste responsibly. From weekly collection and recycling programs to waste reduction resources, we are here to support a clean and thriving community.
Use this page to find service information, collection schedules, recycling guidelines, and answers to common questions. Every effort to reduce waste and recycle properly makes a difference, and together we can help create a cleaner, greener city for everyone.
The City of Big Bear Lake contracts with Big Bear Disposal for residential and commercial trash service. Curbside pick-up service is available through Big Bear Disposal for all Big Bear Lake homeowners/residents and vacation homes and weekend rentals.
Residential Curbside Collection
All Big Bear Disposal, Inc. customers are welcome to utilize curbside service provided they are at the residence on their day of pick-up. If you are unable to meet the 24-hour time frame (the City prohibits leaving trash cans at the curb for more than 24 hours as the trash can be alluring to local wildlife) please utilize the Clean Bear Drop-Off Site for trash disposal and recycling. Contact Big Bear Disposal for additional services, including:
- Pull Out Service: Big Bear Disposal offers a pull in/pull out service for a monthly fee, so you don’t have to worry about meeting the 24-hour collection window for curbside pickup.
- Bear Proof Carts: If you have issues with wildlife getting into your trash, request a bear proof cart from Big Bear Disposal for a one-time fee.
- Request a Green Waste Cart: Big Bear Disposal offers free green waste carts for all customers. Alternatively, customers can place up to 15 bags of yard waste per week curbside on their specified collection day.
- Don’t Use Curbside Collection? If you are unable to make the timing of curbside collection, and would prefer to use the Clean Bear Site, request your carts to be picked up. Big Bear Disposal will gladly pick up any solid waste and recycling carts that are not being used.
For residential customers, trash is paid directly through the yearly tax bill and commercial customers contract with Big Bear Disposal directly -paying per EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) based upon the business type.
Clean Bear Site
If you are a residential customer and would prefer to haul your trash, please visit the Clean Bear Site, located at 41974 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
The site is open daily, 7:00am to 8:00pm.
Users of the Clean Bear Site will be asked to provide proof of eligibility by providing:
- Photo ID (showing 92315 address)
- Property Document (Mortgage Statement, Lease, Property Tax Bill)
- Utility Bill
- Car Registration
- For visitors, a rental contract or other document associated with a City of Big Bear Lake residential property address
Solid Waste Rate Adjustment
In 2022, the City authorized a new Franchise Agreement with Big Bear Disposal that allows for annual rate adjustments beginning in July 2025. At the April 8, 2026 City Council meeting, the Big Bear Lake City Council initiated proceedings to consider an adjustment to the rates charged by Big Bear Disposal for solid waste collection.
The proposed rate adjustment is up to a maximum of 5% per year, beginning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031. The City Council will conduct a Public Hearing at the City Council Meeting on June 10, 2026 for the placement of rates on the San Bernardino County Tax Roll. The adjustment of these rates are subject to the proceedings outlined by Proposition 218 which requires that all customers be issued a notice at least 45 days prior to the hearing. The Proposition 218 process is to establish the maximum solid waste rates per year for a period of five (5) years. Annually, before the start of each fiscal year, the City will notice all property owners of the actual increase for the upcoming fiscal year. View the Maximum Solid Waste Rates Schedule.
Learn more by reading the Public Hearing Notice that outlines the basis for the proposed rate adjustment and information on how to protest the proposed rate adjustment.
Have questions? Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
SB 1383: CalRecycle Organics Regulations
What is SB 1383?
In September 2016, the State set methane emission reduction targets for California in Senate Bill 1383, intended as a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (like organic waste) in various sectors of California’s economy.
SB 1383 establishes statewide targets to reduce the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills (50% reduction by 2020 and 75% by 2025). It also sets a goal to rescue at least 20% of currently disposed edible food by 2025 and redirect that food to people in need.
From 2016-2020, the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) worked to develop regulations to achieve the goals of SB 1383. These new regulations were finalized by CalRecycle in November 2020 and took effect in January 2022.
What is Organic Waste? The state defines “Organic waste” as food, landscape and pruning trimmings, lumber, wood, manure, cardboard, paper products, printing and writing paper, and other plant and animal-based products.
Why is SB 1383 Important?
The State has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve human health, and create clean jobs that support resilient local economies. Implementing the statewide plan under SB 1383 will reduce short-lived, harmful, super pollutants with significant warming impacts, and is essential to achieving California’s climate goals.
Organic waste in landfills emit 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Organic waste, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, make up half of what Californians send to landfills.
The picture below shows the five main elements of the SB 1383 regulations that apply to the City of Big Bear Lake. Some aspects of these elements are explained briefly below along with the City’s implementation of each program element.
Please note that the full text of the regulations is 126 pages—below is a simplified summary of some of the major components that the City of Big Bear Lake must comply with. The full regulations can be found here: https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Docs/Web/118371
Organics and Recycling Collection
One of the main requirements is to ensure that all residents and business have access to recycling and organics collection. SB 1383 requires specific colors for waste collection containers: trash containers must be grey or black, organics containers must be green, and recycling containers must be blue. All new containers must be clearly labeled with what does and does not go into them.
What Goes in Every Container
Garbage: Plastic bags, diapers, animal waste, polystyrene items, masks, gloves, wipes, & Styrofoam, food waste, food soiled paper & cardboard, Coffee grounds & filters, wet ashes (No liquids & no hazardous waste)
Organics: Loose pine needles, pinecones, grass clippings, weeds, leaves, twigs, tree trimmings, bark (No Food Waste)
Recycling: Aluminum Cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles (1-7), Tin Cans, newspaper, junk mail, cardboard, magazines, ledger paper, computer paper, plastic grocery bags, brown bags
High Elevation Waiver
The City of Big Bear Lake was granted the high elevation waiver effective on January 1, 2022 which exempts all generators within the City limits from the requirement to separate and recover food waste and food-soiled paper.
The organics collection requirements for the City of Big Bear Lake are different from the neighboring cities at the bottom of the mountain, in that organics collection will be limited to green waste/ yard trimmings.
Residential Collection
Residents are NOT required to separate food waste from the gray container, and yard/green waste can either be placed in the green can, or placed into plastic yard bags to be picked up on collection day. Residents still have the option to take yard waste to one of the Clean Bear Site as an additional means of yard waste recycling. Contact Big Bear Disposal to request a green cart.
Residents are also encouraged to compost their food waste at home. Here are some resources to help get started:
Learn How to Make Compost from Kitchen Scraps and Yard Waste!
Why You Should Compost at Home
Commercial Collection
Businesses and multifamily complexes (5 units or more) are required to either:
- Subscribe to and participate in their jurisdiction’s organics curbside collection service OR
- Self-haul organic waste to a specified composting facility, community composting program, or other collection activity or program.
The City may waive a Business’ (including multifamily) obligation if the Business provides documentation of the following circumstances:
- De Minimis Waiver – Commercial businesses that generate a limited amount of organic waste may apply for a de minimis waiver if they:
- Generate 2 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week and less than 20 gallons of organic materials per week; or
- Generate less than 2 cubic yards of solid waste per week and less than 10 gallons of organic material per week.
- Physical Space Waiver – Commercial businesses that demonstrate that they lack space for separate or additional green waste or food waste collection containers may apply for a physical space waiver. Commercial businesses are not eligible if the space constraints may be resolved by downsizing containers or using split containers.
To obtain a waiver from organics waste collection please complete and submit the attached application. Applications will be reviewed by City staff, and must be recertified every five (5) years. Commercial Waiver Application
Self-Haul Requirements
Commercial businesses that self-haul organic waste must maintain certain records to comply with the organic waste collection service requirement. The records commercial businesses that self-haul must keep are:
- Delivery receipts and weight tickets from each entity receiving organic materials, including the amount of organic material in cubic yards or tons.
- If the organic waste is transported to a site that does not have scales or that employs scales incapable of weighing the waste received, the self-hauler is not required to record the weight of material. However, the self-hauler must maintain a record of the entity that received the organic waste.
- Self-Haul Record Keeping Tool
Edible Food Recovery
What is Edible Food?
Edible food means food intended for people to eat, including food not sold because of:
- Appearance
- Age
- Freshness
- Grade
- Size
- Surplus
Edible food includes but is not limited to:
- Prepared foods
- Packaged foods
- Produce
For more information on safe surplus food donation and food safety, please visit:
- San Bernadino County Environmental Health Services Department Edible Food Recovery
- Safe Surplus Food Toolkit (guidance for food facilities)
- Food Donation Resources from the Public Health Alliance of Southern California
Who are Commercial Edible Food Generators (CEFG)?
Tier One businesses shall comply with edible food donation and recovery requirements commencing January 1, 2022. Tier Two businesses shall comply with edible food donation and recovery requirements commencing January 1, 2024. Mandated food generators (Tier One and Tier Two) are listed below:
Who are Food Recovery Organizations (FRO)?
A food recovery organization means an entity that collects edible food and distributes that edible food to the public for food recovery either directly or through other entities including, but not limited to: a food bank or a nonprofit charitable organization. If your business fits into the mandated Tier 1 or Tier 2 classification, please set up a food recovery agreement with an Edible Food Recovery Organization.
Find a local food recovery organization by visiting the San Bernardino County Charitable Feeding Organizations Map. Other organizations can be found by using the California Food Bank Locator Tool.
CalRecycle has developed an example of the type of contract or agreement that can be used between food generators and recovery organizations. View Model Food Recovery Agreement.
Requirements for Commercial Edible Food Generators (14 CCR Section 18991.4. Recordkeeping Requirements For Commercial Edible Food Generators)
Keep a record that includes the following:
(1) A list of each food recovery service or organization that collects or receives its edible food pursuant to a contract or written agreement established under Section 18991.3(b).
(2) A copy of contracts or written agreements between the commercial edible food generator and a food recovery service or organization.
(3) A record of the following for each food recovery organization or service that the commercial edible food generator has a contract or written agreement with pursuant to Section 18991.3(b):
- The name, address and contact information of the service or organization.
- The types of food that will be collected by or self-hauled to the service or organization.
- The established frequency that food will be collected or self-hauled.
- The quantity of food collected or self-hauled to a service or organization for food recovery. The quantity shall be measured in pounds recovered per month.
Contracts and records will be requested by the San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services Department during compliance inspections of food businesses.
Procurement of Organic Products
Beginning January 1, 2022, the City must annually procure a certain quantity of recovered organic waste products. Jurisdictions can fulfill their target by procuring any combination of eligible products such as compost, mulch, and renewable energy.
Education and Outreach
SB 1383 regulations requires the City to conduct specific outreach to residents, schools, businesses, and edible food generators on an annual basis. Letters, flyers, handouts, and updates to the City website will be conducted annually.
Compliance and Enforcement
SB 1383 regulations require the adoption and enforcement of various ordinances. Click HERE to view the City of Big Bear Lake’s Ordinance No. 2022-504, which amends Chapter 8.64 of the Big Bear Lake Municipal Code Relating to Solid Waste Management, Collection, of Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials, and Edible Food Recovery.
Additional Resources
Find resources for charitable feeding operations by visiting the San Bernardino County’s webpage for edible food recovery.
Visit CalRecycle's website for more information on Tier 1 and Tier 2 edible food generators, food recovery organizations, and SB 1383.
In September 2016, the State set methane emission reduction targets for California in Senate Bill 1383, intended as a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (like organic waste) in various sectors of California’s economy.
SB 1383 establishes statewide targets to reduce the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills (50% reduction by 2020 and 75% by 2025). It also sets a goal to rescue at least 20% of currently disposed edible food by 2025 and redirect that food to people in need.
From 2016-2020, the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) worked to develop regulations to achieve the goals of SB 1383. These new regulations were finalized by CalRecycle in November 2020 and took effect in January 2022.
What is Organic Waste? The state defines “Organic waste” as food, landscape and pruning trimmings, lumber, wood, manure, cardboard, paper products, printing and writing paper, and other plant and animal-based products.
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The State has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve human health, and create clean jobs that support resilient local economies. Implementing the statewide plan under SB 1383 will reduce short-lived, harmful, super pollutants with significant warming impacts, and is essential to achieving California’s climate goals.
Organic waste in landfills emit 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Organic waste, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, make up half of what Californians send to landfills.
The picture below shows the five main elements of the SB 1383 regulations that apply to the City of Big Bear Lake. Some aspects of these elements are explained briefly below along with the City’s implementation of each program element.
Please note that the full text of the regulations is 126 pages—below is a simplified summary of some of the major components that the City of Big Bear Lake must comply with. The full regulations can be found here: https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Docs/Web/118371
One of the main requirements is to ensure that all residents and business have access to recycling and organics collection. SB 1383 requires specific colors for waste collection containers: trash containers must be grey or black, organics containers must be green, and recycling containers must be blue. All new containers must be clearly labeled with what does and does not go into them.
What Goes in Every Container
Garbage: Plastic bags, diapers, animal waste, polystyrene items, masks, gloves, wipes, & Styrofoam, food waste, food soiled paper & cardboard, Coffee grounds & filters, wet ashes (No liquids & no hazardous waste)
Organics: Loose pine needles, pinecones, grass clippings, weeds, leaves, twigs, tree trimmings, bark (No Food Waste)
Recycling: Aluminum Cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles (1-7), Tin Cans, newspaper, junk mail, cardboard, magazines, ledger paper, computer paper, plastic grocery bags, brown bags
High Elevation Waiver
The City of Big Bear Lake was granted the high elevation waiver effective on January 1, 2022 which exempts all generators within the City limits from the requirement to separate and recover food waste and food-soiled paper.
The organics collection requirements for the City of Big Bear Lake are different from the neighboring cities at the bottom of the mountain, in that organics collection will be limited to green waste/ yard trimmings.
Residential Collection
Residents are NOT required to separate food waste from the gray container, and yard/green waste can either be placed in the green can, or placed into plastic yard bags to be picked up on collection day. Residents still have the option to take yard waste to one of the Clean Bear Site as an additional means of yard waste recycling. Contact Big Bear Disposal to request a green cart.
Residents are also encouraged to compost their food waste at home. Here are some resources to help get started:
Learn How to Make Compost from Kitchen Scraps and Yard Waste!
Why You Should Compost at Home
Commercial Collection
Businesses and multifamily complexes (5 units or more) are required to either:
- Subscribe to and participate in their jurisdiction’s organics curbside collection service OR
- Self-haul organic waste to a specified composting facility, community composting program, or other collection activity or program.
The City may waive a Business’ (including multifamily) obligation if the Business provides documentation of the following circumstances:
- De Minimis Waiver – Commercial businesses that generate a limited amount of organic waste may apply for a de minimis waiver if they:
- Generate 2 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week and less than 20 gallons of organic materials per week; or
- Generate less than 2 cubic yards of solid waste per week and less than 10 gallons of organic material per week.
- Physical Space Waiver – Commercial businesses that demonstrate that they lack space for separate or additional green waste or food waste collection containers may apply for a physical space waiver. Commercial businesses are not eligible if the space constraints may be resolved by downsizing containers or using split containers.
To obtain a waiver from organics waste collection please complete and submit the attached application. Applications will be reviewed by City staff, and must be recertified every five (5) years. Commercial Waiver Application
Self-Haul Requirements
Commercial businesses that self-haul organic waste must maintain certain records to comply with the organic waste collection service requirement. The records commercial businesses that self-haul must keep are:
- Delivery receipts and weight tickets from each entity receiving organic materials, including the amount of organic material in cubic yards or tons.
- If the organic waste is transported to a site that does not have scales or that employs scales incapable of weighing the waste received, the self-hauler is not required to record the weight of material. However, the self-hauler must maintain a record of the entity that received the organic waste.
- Self-Haul Record Keeping Tool
What is Edible Food?
Edible food means food intended for people to eat, including food not sold because of:
- Appearance
- Age
- Freshness
- Grade
- Size
- Surplus
Edible food includes but is not limited to:
- Prepared foods
- Packaged foods
- Produce
For more information on safe surplus food donation and food safety, please visit:
- San Bernadino County Environmental Health Services Department Edible Food Recovery
- Safe Surplus Food Toolkit (guidance for food facilities)
- Food Donation Resources from the Public Health Alliance of Southern California
Who are Commercial Edible Food Generators (CEFG)?
Tier One businesses shall comply with edible food donation and recovery requirements commencing January 1, 2022. Tier Two businesses shall comply with edible food donation and recovery requirements commencing January 1, 2024. Mandated food generators (Tier One and Tier Two) are listed below:
Who are Food Recovery Organizations (FRO)?
A food recovery organization means an entity that collects edible food and distributes that edible food to the public for food recovery either directly or through other entities including, but not limited to: a food bank or a nonprofit charitable organization. If your business fits into the mandated Tier 1 or Tier 2 classification, please set up a food recovery agreement with an Edible Food Recovery Organization.
Find a local food recovery organization by visiting the San Bernardino County Charitable Feeding Organizations Map. Other organizations can be found by using the California Food Bank Locator Tool.
CalRecycle has developed an example of the type of contract or agreement that can be used between food generators and recovery organizations. View Model Food Recovery Agreement.
Requirements for Commercial Edible Food Generators (14 CCR Section 18991.4. Recordkeeping Requirements For Commercial Edible Food Generators)
Keep a record that includes the following:
(1) A list of each food recovery service or organization that collects or receives its edible food pursuant to a contract or written agreement established under Section 18991.3(b).
(2) A copy of contracts or written agreements between the commercial edible food generator and a food recovery service or organization.
(3) A record of the following for each food recovery organization or service that the commercial edible food generator has a contract or written agreement with pursuant to Section 18991.3(b):
- The name, address and contact information of the service or organization.
- The types of food that will be collected by or self-hauled to the service or organization.
- The established frequency that food will be collected or self-hauled.
- The quantity of food collected or self-hauled to a service or organization for food recovery. The quantity shall be measured in pounds recovered per month.
Contracts and records will be requested by the San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services Department during compliance inspections of food businesses.
Beginning January 1, 2022, the City must annually procure a certain quantity of recovered organic waste products. Jurisdictions can fulfill their target by procuring any combination of eligible products such as compost, mulch, and renewable energy.
SB 1383 regulations requires the City to conduct specific outreach to residents, schools, businesses, and edible food generators on an annual basis. Letters, flyers, handouts, and updates to the City website will be conducted annually.
SB 1383 regulations require the adoption and enforcement of various ordinances. Click HERE to view the City of Big Bear Lake’s Ordinance No. 2022-504, which amends Chapter 8.64 of the Big Bear Lake Municipal Code Relating to Solid Waste Management, Collection, of Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials, and Edible Food Recovery.
Find resources for charitable feeding operations by visiting the San Bernardino County’s webpage for edible food recovery.
Visit CalRecycle's website for more information on Tier 1 and Tier 2 edible food generators, food recovery organizations, and SB 1383.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
CONTACT INFORMATION
Big Bear Disposal Main Office
Phone: (909) 866-3942
Website: Big Bear Disposal41974 Garstin Drive
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
41970 Garstin Rd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315