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City of Palm Desert
Home MenuWaste & Recycling
The City of Palm Desert contracts with Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services to provide waste and recycling services. For more information on the City of Palm Desert’s Waste Management and Recycling Programs, please contact Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services at (760) 340-2113 or the Special Programs Department at (760) 776-6342.
For information on the City of Palm Desert’s Franchise Agreement for Integrated Solid Waste Management Services or current rates for residents and businesses, please email recycling@palmdesert.gov.
- White and colored paper
- Phone books
- Magazines
- Junk Mail
- Envelopes
- File folders
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Cartons (milk, juice, & broth)
- Books (remove hard covers or binding)
- Cardboard boxes, e.g. cereal, etc.
Plastic
- Styrofoam packing blocks
- Plastic medicine bottles (empty)
- Plastic bottles numbered 1-7 (remove plastic film or wrap)
Metal & Glass
- Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
- Clean aluminum foil
- Glass bottles and jars (remove lids)
Palm Desert residents can dispose of large, bulky items that do not fit in their regular trash bin by calling Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services to schedule a Bulky Item Pickup. Residents simply contact Burrtec at (760) 340-2113, or complete an online request to schedule a pick-up and place up to four (4) items out at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their regular trash day.
The following are examples of bulky items:
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Large appliances
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Furniture
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Mattresses and box springs
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Barbeques
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Bicycles and swing sets
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Carpet rolled and bundled (bundles should not exceed 4’)
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Computer monitors, laptops computers, and standard and LCD televisions up to 37” (for televisions over 37” please advise for special handling)
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Unacceptable items include: industrial waste, business waste, hazardous waste, building materials, engines, and lawnmowers, tires, and any item more than 8 ft. long, 4 ft. wide or more than 150 lbs.
Residents of multi-family complexes may schedule a pickup or have their property manager call to schedule a Bulky Item Pickup. If items are in good condition, residents should consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store for reuse. Many organizations will pick-up items free of charge.
Please call Burrtec for additional information at (760) 340-2113, or email customerservice@burrtecdesert.com.
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) includes items that contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs), lead, and other materials which are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be hazardous waste and should NEVER be placed in regular trash or recycling bins (E-Waste is generally considered anything with a plug/circuit board).
The following are examples of E-Waste:
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Monitors and computer systems
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Televisions
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VCR and DVD players
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Cell phones
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Printers, fax machines, and copiers
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Radios and tape players
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Microwaves and toasters/toaster ovens
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Vacuum cleaners
Residents
To dispose of E-Waste, the City of Palm Desert and Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services encourages residents to schedule a Bulky Item Pick-up. Residents simply contact Burrtec at (760) 340-2113 to schedule a pick-up and place up to four (4) items out at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their regular trash day.
Residents can also dispose of E-Waste by dropping items off at Burrtec’s Recycle Center located at 41-800 Corporate Way in Palm Desert. The facility accept E-Waste free of charge, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Verification of residency is required (e.g. drivers license or utility bill with name and Palm Desert address).
BusinessesPalm Desert businesses that generate small quantities of hazardous waste, including E-Waste, (up to 27 gallons or 220 lbs. or 2.2 lbs of extremely hazardous waste per month) are considered Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). Qualifying businesses simply contact the CESQG hotline at (951) 749-7301 to schedule an appointment to drop-off their hazardous waste.
This facility accepts both Universal Waste and E-Waste and is located at 41-800 Corporate Way in Palm Desert. The City pays for the first $300.00 of disposal costs annually for qualifying businesses and verification of business location is required (e.g. a City business license).
Palm Desert residents and businesses should consider donating their working computers or other electronic devises to a local charity or thrift store for reuse. Many organizations will pick-up items free of charge.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes products used to clean your home or chemicals that are considered fuel. They require special handling at the disposal facility and should never be placed in the regular trash or recycle bins.
The following are examples of HHW:
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All acid based chemicals
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Ethylene glycol
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Old gasoline, kerosene, paint strippers, and lamp oil
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Latex and oil-based paints (unless you let the paint harden in cans and then dispose of in the regular trash bin)
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Household cleaners
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Used oil and oil filters
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Fertilizers
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Pesticides and herbicides
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Auto batteries
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Small quantities of mercury
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Other flammable household liquids
To learn about additional HHW Collection sites and events in Riverside County, please visit the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources at www.rcwaste.org.
Asbestos Safety
Improper handling of asbestos-containing materials puts workers and the general public at risk. To learn about how to dispose of asbestos, visit www.asbestos.com
Residents
Residents are encouraged to use the Curbside HHW Collection Program by contacting Burrtec at (760) 340-2113 or their website to schedule a pick-up. Simply place the materials in a secure location not accessible to the general public until collection day. Collections are limited to four (4) per calendar year, and items cannot exceed 15 gallons or 125 lbs. per pick up. Smaller items must fill a 13"x15" box (mixed materials acceptable) to be eligible for pick-up.
Businesses
Palm Desert businesses that generate small quantities of hazardous waste (up to 27 gallons or 220 lbs. or 2.2 lbs. of extremely hazardous waste per month) are considered Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). Qualifying businesses simply contact the CESQG hotline at (951) 749-7301 to schedule an appointment to drop-off their hazardous waste (to include Universal Waste and Electronic Waste) to the City’s HHW facility located at 41-800 Corporate Way in Palm Desert. The City pays for the first $300.00 of disposal costs annually for qualifying businesses and verification of business location is required (e.g. a City business license).
Note: explosives, radioactive, or biomedical waste are not acceptable.
Sharps are items such as hypodermic needles, syringes, lancets, and pen needles. Whether contaminated with biohazardous waste or not, sharps must be disposed of in special containers and handled as hazardous waste.
Improperly discarded needles create community hazards and can cause serious injury. Palm Desert residents can now dispose of used hypodermic needles, syringes, lancets, and pen needles safely and conveniently by utilizing one of the City’s following sharps disposal programs.
Curbside Program
Residents of single family dwellings (apartment and multifamily residents not eligible) may initially pick up sharps disposal containers free-of-charge from Burrtec’s Recycle Center located at 41800 Corporate Way (behind the Hovley Post Office in Palm Desert).
Residents can place the sharps in a clear container (such as a milk or juice jug) and label it "Sharps." Once the container is full, residents can call Burrtec at (760) 340-2113 to schedule a curbside pickup, and upon request, Burrtec will leave a free empty collection container. Residents can coordinate up to four free pickups per year.
Sharps Disposal By Mail
All residents can visit one of the following participating pharmacies to obtain a free Sharps Disposal by Mail container (while supplies last) which serves as a receptacle for used sharps.
Once full, the container can be sealed and deposited in the mail for safe disposal. Residents can obtain up to three containers per year and proof of residency in the form of a driver’s license or California ID is required.
- CVS (42155 Washington)
- CVS (in Target) 72549 Hwy 111)
- Fireside Compounding Pharmacy (73847 Highway 111)
- Palm Desert Drugs (73261 Hwy 111)
- Rite-Aid (72875 Highway 111)
- Savon/Albertsons (74590 Highway 111)
- Walgreens (44830 Monterey)
Note: Some pharmacies are experiencing back orders on containers. If you cannot pick up a container from a pharmacy, please see information on curbside program.
Universal Waste (U-Waste) includes products containing low levels of hazardous metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium. These items can potentially contaminate soil and ground water if deposited into landfills, and should never be placed in the regular trash or recycling bins.
The following are examples of U-Waste:
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Common household batteries
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Fluorescent tubes and bulbs
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Halogen bulbs
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Lamps containing mercury
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Thermostats
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Electrical switches and relays
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Pilot light sensors
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Mercury gauges and thermometers
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Non-empty aerosol cans (if empty, these can be disposed of in the regular trash bin)
Residents
To dispose of U-Waste, the City of Palm Desert and Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services encourages residents to use the At-Home HHW Collection Program. Residents simply contact Burrtec at (760) 340-2113 to schedule a pick-up. Materials must be placed in a secure location not accessible to the general public until collection day. Collections are limited to four (4) per calendar year and items cannot exceed 15 gallons or 125 lbs. per pick up. Smaller items must fill a 13" x 15" box (mixed items acceptable) to be eligible for pick-up. Minimum pick-up for household batteries, fluorescent tubes, bulbs, and halogen bulbs is a 29 oz. coffee can full of batteries and at least 10 bulbs.
Universal Waste can also be disposed of at Burrtec's Recycle Center located at 41-800 Corporate Way in Palm Desert. The facility accepts these items free of charge, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Verification of residency is required (e.g. drivers license or utility bill with name and Palm Desert address). There is no minimum disposal requirement.
Businesses
Palm Desert businesses that generate small quantities of hazardous waste (up to 27 gallons or 220 lbs. or 2.2 lbs of extremely hazardous waste per month) are considered Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). Qualifying businesses simply contact the CESQG hotline at (951) 749-7301 to schedule an appointment to drop-off their hazardous waste, which includes U-Waste and E-Waste, to the City’s HHW facility located at 41-800 Corporate Way.
The City pays for the first $300.00 of disposal costs annually for qualifying businesses and verification of business location is required (e.g. a City business license).
There are easy ways for residents to dispose of their used motor oil, tires, and filters:
Curbside Oil and Filter Pick-Up
Palm Desert residents can dispose of used motor oil and filters by calling Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services at (760) 340-2113 to schedule a pick-up at least 48 hours in advance of their regular trash day. Used motor oil must be drained into a transparent plastic one-gallon container and oil filters must be completely drained and sealed in a zip type bag. The containers and filters should be placed out at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the resident’s regular trash day.
Check Your Number Campaign
Due to advances in modern engines and improved oil formulas, CalRecycle and the City of Palm Desert encourage drivers to check the recommended oil change interval for their vehicle in their owner’s manual. Doing so can save time and money and is also good for the environment. For more information on CalRecycle’s “Check Your Number” campaign, click here.
Tire Disposal
Residents of Palm Desert can bring of up to four passenger and/or light truck tires to the Edom Hill Transfer Station (70-100 Edom Hill Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234) on a quarterly basis at no charge.
Contact Burrtec for more information at (760) 340-2113.
Special Oil Collection Events
Events are open to all Coachella Valley residents. Bring your used oil filters to the event and receive a new replacement filter (of equal or lesser value) for free. Limit two per household. Bring your used oil for recycling (up to five gallons per vehicle). Participants will also receive a shop rag and funnel for free (while supplies last).
The next Palm Desert event is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at AutoZone, located at 34860 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert.
For questions about these events call Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) at (760) 346-1127 or the City Special Programs Department for additional information at (760) 776-6342, or email recycling@palmdesert.gov.
To apply for a commercial self-haul or back-haul permit, as outlined in Palm Desert Municipal Code §8.16.060, please click here. Please note that you will need to create an account through Clariti, Palm Desert’s permitting portal, before submitting your self-haul or back-haul permit application.
Self-Haul Permit Guidelines
The City of Palm Desert’s Municipal Code allows for solid waste generators within the City’s
boundaries to self-haul their waste for recycling and disposal under specific conditions listed
in Chapter 8.16 and otherwise in accordance with applicable law, including 14 California Code
of Regulations, Div. 7, Chapter 12, Section 18988. The following guidelines provide a high-
level overview of the specific requirements for a permitted self-hauler. Failure to follow all
requirements may result in fines, fees, and/or denial of future permits.
General Requirements:
- Self-haulers are only permitted to self-haul their own solid waste generated on their
premises. - Single-family residences and multi-family premises with less than five units may not
self-haul. - Self-haulers must provide and utilize their own containers for solid waste collection and
disposal. Containers must be maintained in good condition and have a watertight seal. - Self-haulers must recycle all recyclable materials in accordance with local and state
recycling regulations, including AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. Recyclable materials
include cardboard, paper, plastic, metal cans, glass bottles, etc. Organic materials
include yard waste, food waste, and food soiled paper. Both recyclables and organic
materials must be diverted from landfills at a processing facility as identified in the
permit application. - Mixed waste collection streams containing unsegregated organic waste, including
paper and cardboard, must be taken to a certified high diversion organic waste
processing facility. These facilities must meet 50% recovery of organic waste, or 75%
on and after January 1, by 2025. Use of other facilities for processing mixed waste
organic collection streams will be denied. - Per Section 8.16.020 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, all landfill waste and food
waste must be removed from the premises of any multi-family premises with more than
five units at least once a week. All waste must be removed from any commercial or
industrial premises not less than twice a week. Alternate collection and disposal
frequencies must be approved by the City in writing. - Landscapers will be separately verified to haul organic waste to an organics processing
facility by Burrtec, and do not need to complete a self-haul application.
Self-Haul Permit Application and Recordkeeping Requirements:
The self-haul permit application requires the following records:
- A list of all containers to be used.
- A list of all transport and disposal equipment to be used, including the license plate
number and VIN for all vehicles to be used for self-hauling purposes. - A written explanation of where all solid waste will be delivered for disposal and diversion
with facility names and addresses. - A written plan explaining how at least 50% of solid waste collected will be diverted from
landfill disposal.
Non-residential self-haulers must also keep the following records for the permit renewal
process:
- Receipts from self-hauling activities (weight tickets) to demonstrate proper diversion
and disposal frequency and that the minimum required level of solid waste was
diverted.
Self-Haul Permit Fee Requirements
A completed permit application is required annually. All self-haul permits are valid until January
31 of the next calendar year. Renewal applications are due annually by that same date.
To apply for a commercial back-haul permit, as outlined in Palm Desert Municipal Code §8.16.060, please click here. Please note that you will need to create an account through Clariti, Palm Desert’s permitting portal, before submitting your back-haul permit application.
Back-Haul Permit Guidelines
The City of Palm Desert’s Municipal Code Section 8.16.010 includes in the definition of self-
hauling the practice of entities to haul or transport solid waste materials, with their own
equipment and employees, to a destination owned and operated by the entity for proper
management and diversion (“back-hauling"). Based on Senate Bill 1383 regulations, back-
hauling is a subcategory of self-haul requirements. The following guidelines provide a high-
level overview of the specific requirements for a permitted back-hauler. Failure to follow all
requirements may result in fines, fees, and/or denial of future permits.
General Requirements:
- Only applicants who own and operate a facility intended for the management and
diversion of that applicant’s solid waste materials may qualify as a back-hauler and
obtain a back-hauling permit. - Back-haulers may only use their own employees and equipment to haul or transport
their solid waste. - Back-haulers are only permitted to back-haul their own solid waste generated on their
premises. - Back-haulers must maintain records to demonstrate that materials are taken back to a
central or corporate location for proper management. - Back-haulers must recycle all recyclable and organic materials in accordance with local
and state recycling regulations including AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. Recyclable
materials include cardboard, paper, plastic, metal cans, glass bottles, etc. Organic
materials include yard waste, food waste, and food soiled paper. Both recyclables and
organic materials must be diverted from landfill at a processing facility.
Back-Haul Permit Application and Recordkeeping Requirements:
The back-haul permit application requires the following records:
- Fully complete and sign the back-haul permit application form.
- Submit a copy of the official back-hauling or corporate waste removal policy for the
business. - Submit a list of facilities owned and operated by the applicant utilized for end-use
recovery and processing, including material(s) accepted at each vendor or facility. - Reminder for Automatic Annual Renewal Requirements during 5-year Term:
- Submit records in the form of an annual report to the City of Palm Desert
from all back-hauling activities in the prior year that demonstrate proper
diversion (including volume or weight transported for each material).
Improper diversion strategies or insufficient records may result in denial of
automatic renewal applications and will require immediate subscription with
the City’s then-current franchise waste hauler(s) to avoid possible penalties
or violations. - Provide a formal statement that the official back-hauling or corporate waste removal policy for the business has not changed or provide updated policy.
- Submit records in the form of an annual report to the City of Palm Desert
Back-Haul Permit Fee Requirements
A completed back-haul permit application, if approved by the City of Palm Desert, expires 5
years after the date of its issuance.
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