Getting your Monterey Park home ready to list? A clean, clutter‑free space photographs better, shows better, and helps you move faster. The good news: the city offers helpful services if you know who to call and what to set aside. In this guide, you’ll learn how to schedule free bulky pickups, handle e‑waste and hazardous items safely, and decide when paid help is worth it. Let’s dive in.
What counts as bulky in Monterey Park
Monterey Park treats furniture, mattresses, rugs, lamps, desks, and many appliances as bulky items. You must schedule these items before placing them at the curb. According to the city, residential customers receive free on‑call bulky item collections that you arrange in advance.
Electronics are handled a little differently. The city notes that e‑waste is not a standard bulky item, but residents do get up to four free e‑waste collections per year when scheduled separately. When in doubt, schedule e‑waste specifically. See the city’s guidance on bulky item pickup for details.
How bulky pickup works locally
Monterey Park routes residential bulky pickups through Ware Disposal. Schedule by phone at 626‑225‑2400 or email [email protected], then place items at the curb on your regular service day following their instructions. Find current preparation rules on Ware Disposal’s Monterey Park page.
Avoid leaving items out without a confirmed appointment. The city’s Code Compliance team can issue notices for unscheduled piles or abandoned items. If you have questions about violations or reporting, visit Monterey Park Code Compliance.
A simple pre‑list cleanout plan
1) Inventory and separate
Sort items into five groups: reusable donations, municipal bulky items, e‑waste, household hazardous waste, and construction debris. Bulky goes to Ware when scheduled. E‑waste and hazardous items go to county programs. Large construction debris usually needs a dumpster or roll‑off service.
2) Donate reusable items first
If furniture or decor is usable, schedule a nonprofit pickup before you book bulky service. Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept many furnishings and may offer pickup for a small fee. Start with Habitat LA’s pickup request to see availability. Donation receipts can be helpful for your records.
3) Schedule your free bulky pickup
Call Ware Disposal at 626‑225‑2400 or email [email protected]. Ask about limits per pickup, how to bundle items, and safety requirements like removing doors from certain appliances. Book a few days ahead, especially during busy moving seasons. See requirements on Ware’s Monterey Park page.
4) Handle e‑waste and hazardous waste
Monterey Park residents get up to four free e‑waste collections per year when scheduled separately from bulky items. You can also use Los Angeles County’s HHW/e‑waste events or permanent centers. Typical limits are 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip. Do not place HHW at the curb. Check locations and accepted materials on LA County’s HHW program.
5) Mattresses and appliances
California’s mattress stewardship program, “Bye Bye Mattress,” provides free drop‑off recycling at participating sites for acceptable mattresses. For curbside removal, confirm with Ware. Mattresses that are heavily soiled or infested are generally not accepted for recycling. Learn more from CalRecycle’s mattress program overview.
6) Need it gone fast or from inside the home?
Municipal service is curbside only. If you want same‑day or inside pickup, consider full‑service junk haulers. Prices are usually volume‑based: small loads often cost in the low hundreds and full loads more. Get ballpark pricing from 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? or see single‑item starting rates with LoadUp’s Los Angeles page. For construction debris or roll‑offs on commercial accounts, review Athens Services’ Monterey Park commercial options.
7) Document your cleanout
Keep donation receipts, pickup confirmations, and invoices. This helps with disclosure prep, expense tracking, and your moving checklist.
Costs and timing at a glance
- Municipal bulky pickup: described by the city as free for residential customers when scheduled in advance. E‑waste collections are limited to four per year. Book early to match your service day and timeline. See city guidance on bulky items.
- Private junk removal: volume‑based pricing. Small loads commonly land in the low hundreds. Same‑day or weekend windows may carry premiums. Compare estimates from 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? and LoadUp.
- Donation pickups: many ReStores charge a modest pickup fee to cover transport and provide a donation receipt. Start with Habitat LA’s pickup request.
Avoid common pitfalls
- Unscheduled curb piles: leaving items out without an appointment can lead to a Code Compliance notice, and illegal dumping is penalized under state law. When in doubt, schedule first or contact Code Compliance.
- HHW and many electronics: never place HHW at the curb. Use county events or permanent centers. Find options via LA County HHW.
- Mattress and appliance prep: recycling programs typically reject heavily soiled or infested mattresses. Some appliances need doors removed for safety and may require special handling for refrigerants. Check instructions before your pickup.
Ready to turn your cleanout into a great listing? If you want a tailored prep plan and local vendor coordination, reach out to the About You Team. We help you focus on what adds value and handle the rest with care.
FAQs
How do I schedule bulky item pickup in Monterey Park?
- Call Ware Disposal at 626‑225‑2400 or email [email protected], then place items at the curb on your regular service day per their instructions.
What items are not accepted in bulky pickup?
- Household hazardous waste and many electronics are excluded from curbside bulky; use the county’s HHW/e‑waste program instead.
How do I dispose of e‑waste and hazardous waste locally?
- Schedule up to four free e‑waste collections per year with Ware or use LA County HHW/e‑waste events and permanent centers.
What should I know about mattress disposal before listing?
- Acceptable mattresses can be recycled at participating sites; soiled or infested mattresses are usually not accepted, and curbside requires coordination with your hauler.
Is private junk removal worth it before I list?
- If you need fast, inside pickup or flexible timing, private haulers can be worth the cost; municipal service is free but curbside only and must be scheduled in advance.
