Athens Services outlines bulky-item pickup rules for Bell Gardens residents

Athens Services representative Vicky Martinez briefed the Bell Gardens City Council on Jan. 26 on how residents should schedule bulky-item pickups and what materials the hauler will and will not accept.

Martinez said bulky items include household appliances, furniture, carpets, mattresses, green waste and electronics. She emphasized that residents must call Athens or use the city app to schedule pickups and that Athens will only remove items that have been approved and recorded on a work order. Hazardous items—paint, batteries, engine coolant, tires and flammable liquids—are excluded and should be taken to CleanLA or other hazardous-waste programs (CleanLA hotline and resource information were provided).

Bell Gardens is unusual among peer cities in allowing an unlimited number of bulky items curbside provided a pickup is scheduled in advance; Athens staff requested that residents not place items out earlier than the scheduled date and to place items clear of fixed objects, poles and mailboxes. The company also asked that refrigerator and freezer doors be removed for safety and that carts be placed on the street (against the curb) where the city’s density and on-street parking permit access for drivers.

Councilmembers asked about process questions (if drivers encounter unrequested items, whether staff will call them in, and whether there is a service cap for city-requested pickups). Martinez said Athens schedules 100% of city-requested pickups and will schedule work orders for items called in, except for hazardous items—the driver can file a non-collection notice.

Why it matters: Clear scheduling and placement rules reduce missed pickups, protect hauler staff and help the city avoid illegal dumping and street clutter.

Next steps: Athens staff offered to provide English–Spanish flyers and continue city outreach; council members asked staff to amplify the message via the Bell Gardens app and city social media.