Frequently asked questions.

We carry 3-yard minis, 6-yard compacts, 10-yard standards (most popular for home projects), 25-yard roll-offs, and 40-yard XLs for large commercial or construction jobs. Not sure what you need? Call us - we'll walk you through it in two minutes.

Standard rental is 7 days, which covers most home remodels and cleanouts. Need more time? We can extend in 7-day increments for a small daily rate. Just let dispatch know before your pickup window.

We use rubber wheel guards on all drop-offs and our drivers are trained to find the safest placement spot. For older or decorative concrete, let us know - we'll bring extra protection. We've never had a driveway claim, and we want to keep it that way.

If the container is placed entirely on your private property (driveway, yard), no permit is needed. If it must go on a public street or sidewalk, the City of LA requires a Right-of-Way permit. We can handle the permit process for you - add it to your order and we'll take care of it. Typical processing is 2–3 business days.

Never above the fill line - material must be flush with or below the rim. Overfilled containers cannot be legally transported and we'll either ask you to remove material before pickup or charge an overage fee. Stacking above the line is a safety issue and a DOT violation.

Weight limits vary by container size. Our 10-yard standard includes 2 tons; our 40-yard XL includes 4 tons. Overweight containers are charged at $120/ton over the included weight. Heavy materials like concrete, dirt, and tile count fast - call us for a separate estimate on those.

Delivery, the full rental window, pickup, and disposal of material. Overage is up to $120/ton.

Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, ACH, and corporate check. Residential pays at checkout; commercial gets Net-30 after the first cycle.

Your quote includes delivery, pickup, the rental period, and the included weight. That's it. No fuel surcharges. No environmental fees. No administrative line items. The number we text you is the number on your invoice.

We weigh the container at our licensed transfer station. If the actual weight exceeds your included tonnage, we charge $120 per ton over (billed in quarter-ton increments). You'll receive a weight ticket with your final invoice.

Yes, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover. We also accept ACH / bank transfer for commercial accounts. Net-30 terms are available to qualifying businesses. Sorry, no cash on delivery.

Absolutely. Add your business name, address, and EIN when you book. We'll email a PDF invoice same day. For ongoing commercial accounts, you can request monthly consolidated billing.

Cancel more than 24 hours before delivery and we'll issue a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours of a scheduled delivery are subject to a $75 fee to cover truck routing. If we can reschedule rather than cancel, the fee is waived.

Yes, you'll get a call 30 minutes before the driver arrives.

Call dispatch - we send a truck the same day. No fee, no escalation.

In our core service area (most of the San Fernando Valley, Glendale, Burbank, and parts of Los Angeles proper), same-day delivery is available on orders placed before 2 PM. Outside that area, next-business-day is standard. We'll always confirm a delivery window - typically a 2-hour window - via text after booking.

We deliver Monday through Friday 7 AM–6 PM and Saturday 7 AM–2 PM. No Sunday deliveries. Emergency swap-outs for active commercial accounts can be arranged after hours - call dispatch.

Log into your account and click "Schedule Pickup," call dispatch at (888) 909-5556, or text us. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice, though we often accommodate same-day pickups in our core area if you call before noon.

No problem. As long as we have access to the drop location and there are no obstacles, we can drop without you present. Just make sure the area is clear - no parked cars, low-hanging branches, or locked gates. We'll text you a photo confirmation after drop.

Yes, with 24 hours' notice. Call or text dispatch. Rescheduling is free - it just gives us time to adjust routes.

Construction debris, furniture, yard waste, household junk, appliances (drained), shingles (specific containers), carpet, drywall.

Hazardous materials, paint, chemicals, tires, batteries, fuel, asbestos, e-waste, and medical waste. Contamination fee starts at $250 if found.

Most household, renovation, and construction debris is fine: furniture, appliances (no Freon), drywall, wood, roofing shingles, concrete, dirt, landscaping waste, general trash, clothes, and most bulky items. When in doubt, ask - we'd rather tell you upfront than have a disposal issue at the yard.

Prohibited items include: hazardous waste (paint, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, chemicals), asbestos-containing material, medical / biological waste, car batteries, tires (we can take up to 4 tires as an add-on), and any liquid waste. Disposing of prohibited materials subjects your load to a $250+ remediation fee and possible reporting to LA County.

We accept TVs, computers, monitors, and small electronics as part of a general load. If you have more than 5 electronics items, please mention it when you book - some facilities charge sorting fees for e-waste. We never landfill electronics when recycling is available.

Yes, but it must be a dedicated "clean fill" container. Concrete, brick, asphalt, and clean soil are very heavy - a single layer of concrete can max out a 10-yard container's weight limit. We price clean-fill containers separately. Call for a quote.

Mattresses are accepted. LA County requires special handling, so there's a $15 per mattress surcharge. We'll add it to your invoice after pickup if the driver logs mattresses in the load.

Most LA-area accounts go live within 5 business days. We coordinate the swap with your current hauler so you never miss a pickup.

Yes. Single-stream recycling and organics are included, with monthly diversion reporting.

Month-to-month. We don't believe in lock-in contracts.

Yes. We service offices, retail centers, restaurants, schools, apartment buildings, and industrial facilities. Service frequency ranges from once a week to six days a week. We'll tailor a container size and pickup schedule to your volume and budget.

Net-30 is available to qualifying businesses with a completed credit application. We typically approve within 2–3 business days. Fill out the commercial account form or call our commercial team directly.

Call dispatch at (888) 909-5556 as soon as you notice. We log every miss and will dispatch a truck same-day if reported before noon, or first thing the next morning. Chronic misses are credited to your account.

Yes. We provide documentation, diversion reports, and on-site signage for commercial customers who need to demonstrate compliance with California's mandatory recycling laws. Ask your account manager for a compliance packet.

We cover all of LA County and many surrounding cities. Check the Service Areas page or enter your ZIP on the homepage for instant confirmation. If you're just outside our listed area, call us - we may still be able to help.

You can book as a guest or create a free account at checkout. An account lets you track orders, manage pickups, download invoices, and access member-only pricing. Sign up at calstar.com/auth/login.php.

Yes. Contractors who maintain an account and book regularly qualify for volume pricing and priority scheduling. Talk to our commercial team or note "contractor" in your quote request and we'll call you.

We offer free or heavily discounted service for LA-area schools and registered 501(c)(3) organizations on a case-by-case basis. Email [email protected] with your organization name and request.

Flat-rate pricing covers a 7 day rental depending on container size.

Our 10-yarder needs about 22 feet of straight clearance; the 25 and 40-yard sizes need 30+ feet. Protective boards go down on every delivery.

Private property (your driveway, yard): no. Public street: most LA-area cities require a temporary use permit - call us and we'll guide you.

Almost always yes, in our core service areas. Order before 2pm and we'll usually have you a same-day window.

Yes - independent haulers welcome. Pull onto the scale, dump, weigh out. Average under 5 minutes.

Mixed C&D starts at $120/ton, inert at $85/ton, green waste at $100/ton. Rebates available on clean cardboard and metal.

Yes, an account lets you reorder in one tap, save addresses, and track every delivery in real time.

Yes. Qualified businesses can apply for Net-30 terms. We review basic credit references and can usually approve within 48 hours. Most of our commercial clients never prepay.

We cover most of LA County and parts of Ventura and San Bernardino counties. Call dispatch with your address and we'll confirm coverage in under a minute.

Absolutely. We provide single-stream and material-specific containers, monthly diversion reports, and documentation for state reporting. We've been helping businesses stay compliant since AB 341 passed.

For most commercial accounts, we can begin service within 3–5 business days of signing. For large or complex accounts (multi-site, compactor service), budget 1–2 weeks for equipment setup.

Yes. We understand organics diversion requirements and can accommodate weekly or more frequent pickups. We also offer grease trap coordination referrals.

Your quote includes all pickups at the agreed frequency, the container rental, fuel, and standard disposal tonnage. Overages are billed monthly at a transparent per-ton rate - no surprise surcharges.

Call your CalStar rep or submit an emergency swap request online. We'll dispatch within 24 hours - often same-day in the Los Angeles area. Commercial accounts with the Overflow Alert add-on have this handled automatically before overflow even occurs. There is no penalty overage charge for incidental overflows on contract accounts.

Yes, and we strongly recommend it. Having a separate recycling stream is required under California AB 341 for most businesses generating 4+ cubic yards per week, and it can meaningfully reduce your trash container size - and cost. CalStar can deliver coordinated trash and recycling containers simultaneously, on matched pickup schedules.

Absolutely. Roll-off rentals are available on a per-pull basis with no long-term commitment. You pay for the delivery, the rental period, and the haul when you call for pickup. This is popular for office cleanouts, tenant improvement projects, and renovation work. Same-day delivery available for most L.A. zip codes.

For regular scheduled service (front-load containers), CalStar's standard commercial agreements are month-to-month after an initial 30-day period. Longer-term agreements are available at discounted rates for multi-location accounts. Roll-off rentals have no contract - it's a transactional rental with per-pull billing.

Yes. We can match virtually any pickup frequency - daily, 3x/week, 2x/week, or once weekly. We'll also handle the cancellation notice period with your current hauler if you need help with that transition. Container delivery can often be timed to arrive the morning your current service ends.

A crewed rental includes a licensed CalStar CDL operator who drives, tares the truck, hauls to our facility, and returns your ticket - you never leave your site. A trailer-only pull means CalStar provides just the trailer; your tractor and driver handle the route. Trailer-only is popular with owner-operators and fleet contractors who have their own licensed drivers and want to cut per-load driver costs.

Same-day service is available for calls placed by 9 AM, subject to fleet availability. For projects starting the following day, call by end of day. For ongoing contract work or multi-truck projects, we recommend booking at least 48–72 hours out so we can reserve dedicated capacity. During peak season (spring and fall), earlier notice gives you more time-slot options.

Yes — for crewed rentals dispatched to our Sun Valley transfer facility, the tip fee is included in your per-load rate. If you need material hauled to a third-party facility (city yard, landfill, etc.), tip fees at that facility are billed separately as a pass-through. We always disclose this upfront before dispatch.

Absolutely. Multi-day and weekly arrangements are common for demolition and grading projects. We put the truck on a dedicated assignment to your site, which means you get consistent service, the same driver learns your site quirks, and your per-load cost often drops under a weekly rate structure. Call to discuss your project timeline.

Our dispatch team will ask about site access during your booking - gate width, overhead clearance, surface type, and any permit restrictions. If a full-size truck can't reach your site, we'll recommend a 10-yard configuration or advise on staging options. We've been working Los Angeles job sites for 40+ years and know most of the access challenges in advance.

CalStar provides compactors as part of a service program at no capital cost to your facility. The equipment is CalStar-owned, maintained by our team, and remains our responsibility throughout the service relationship. If your facility already owns a compactor, we can service and pull that unit instead - we work with most major stationary and self-contained compactor manufacturers.

Your monthly report includes total waste generated by stream, landfill tonnage, diverted tonnage, diversion percentage by stream, and a cumulative year-to-date summary. For LEED projects, we can format the report to match USGBC submittal requirements. Reports are delivered digitally by the 5th of each month and are archived on your CalStar account portal.

We build surge capacity into industrial contracts. Your account includes a pull-on-demand option - when a container fills early, you call or submit online and we dispatch within 24 hours, typically same-day. Emergency service is available for true operational emergencies. We don't penalize you for production variability - that's just how manufacturing works.

Yes. Local jurisdictions can issue infraction notices, compliance orders, and fines of up to $10,000 per day for repeat non-compliance under SB 1383. AB 341 violations can carry similar penalties. The good news is that compliance is straightforward with the right hauler - CalStar handles the documentation and service so you never face these risks.

Yes. CalStar can provide waste stream diversion data formatted to LEED v4 / v4.1 Construction and Demolition Waste Management credit requirements, as well as operational waste diversion documentation for LEED O+M certifications. Speak to your account rep early in the process so we ensure the right data is captured from the start.

We quote based on truck space used, not by the piece or the hour. Our crew walks the job with you before starting, gives you a flat price, and we stick to it.

Next business-day is available in most LA service areas. We also offer scheduled morning and afternoon windows.

Nope. Our crew does all the loading from wherever the items are - inside the house, upstairs, in the garage or back yard. You don't have to lift a finger or move anything to the curb.

We sort at our facility. Anything in good condition goes to local charities and donation centers. Metal and electronics are recycled. The rest goes to a licensed disposal facility. We try to keep as much out of the landfill as possible.

Yes - our crews are trained to safely disconnect washers, dryers, refrigerators, and stoves. Just let us know when you book so we can bring the right tools.

Absolutely. Office cleanouts, retail buildouts, storage unit cleanouts - same process, same up-front pricing. Call dispatch for a custom quote on larger jobs.

No appointment is required during regular business hours. Just pull up to the scale. If you're bringing a large, unusually heavy load or multiple trucks in a convoy, call ahead so we can staff accordingly.

We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Established haulers with a CalStar account can be invoiced monthly - call us or visit our Application page to set up an account under the Company pulldown navigation at top.

Yes, but they'll be billed at the Mixed C&D rate of $120/ton. If you keep your loads separated (concrete separate from general debris, for example), you can take advantage of lower per-material rates.

Yes. Green waste, brush, tree trimmings, and sod are welcome at $100/ton. Treated lumber, railroad ties, and pressure-treated wood are not accepted in the green waste stream.

We do not accept hazardous waste of any kind - that includes paint, solvents, asbestos, PCBs, batteries, tires, medical waste, or radioactive materials. Call 211 or LA County's SAFE Center for hazardous disposal options.

Properties with fewer than 5 units are not subject to mandatory commercial organics requirements under SB 1383. However, AB 341's mandatory recycling requirement applies to all multi-family properties with 5 or more units generating 4+ cubic yards of waste per week. For properties under 5 units, voluntary recycling programs are available and often result in cost savings by reducing trash volumes.

Contamination is measured on a per-load basis. CalStar's drivers flag containers with visible contamination on pickup - we photograph and document it. On first occurrences, your account rep reaches out with a correction notice template you can post or deliver to tenants. Repeated contamination that causes the load to be rejected results in that load being billed as general waste. Our signage program is specifically designed to reduce contamination before it becomes a recurring issue.

Yes, and this is one of the most valuable add-ons for properties with high turnover. CalStar can schedule dedicated move-out cleanout pickups that cover furniture, appliances, and bulk debris left by departing tenants - billed per event or included in larger multi-family contracts. Talk to your rep about adding move-out coordination to your program.

Yes. CalStar regularly serves mixed-use buildings where the lower floors have retail or restaurant tenants and upper floors are residential. We design a single coordinated waste program with the appropriate container configuration for each type of use - commercial front-load and residential multi-stream often share the same enclosure with separate bays.

Your monthly report includes a summary of all pickups by stream (trash, recycling, organics), total tons by stream, your diversion percentage, and a cumulative year-to-date total. It's formatted to be dropped directly into a CalRecycle compliance binder or HOA board packet. Reports are delivered digitally by the 5th of each month. Printed reports available on request.

If your business generates 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week, AB 341 requires a commercial recycling program. SB 1383 adds mandatory organics collection for virtually all commercial and multifamily customers. We can assess your situation and set up a compliant program in one visit.

Single-stream means everything - paper, plastic, glass, metal - goes in one bin and gets sorted at a material recovery facility. Source-separated means you sort materials on-site into separate containers, which typically results in higher-quality recyclables and lower tipping fees on large volumes.

Yes. We issue monthly or quarterly diversion reports documenting the volume and type of material diverted from landfill. These reports are formatted to support CalRecycle compliance filings and can be provided to your local jurisdiction upon request.

Absolutely. We offer clean concrete-only, metal-only, and mixed C&D recycling containers for job sites. Clean loads typically qualify for reduced tipping fees, and the material diversion can count toward LEED certification credits.

We set up a dedicated food-waste and food-soiled paper container - usually a 32-gallon or 64-gallon cart - and schedule pickup 2–5 times per week depending on your volume. Material goes to an LA County-approved composting facility. You get a weight ticket and diversion log for your SB 1383 records.

Residential single-stream starts at an add-on to your regular service rate. Commercial programs are quoted based on container size, pickup frequency, and material type. We don't charge extra for diversion reports — they're included.

In a single-stream program, all recyclables - cardboard, bottles, cans, and clean paper - go into one container together and are sorted at a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). It's the easiest program for staff to use but generates some contamination. In a source-separated program, cardboard, metal, and other streams each have their own container. It takes more discipline but produces cleaner loads, higher rebates, and higher diversion rates. CalStar can provide either or a hybrid approach.

Contaminated recycling containers are weighed and billed at the standard waste rate - not the recycling rate - for that pickup. The driver photographs and documents the contamination. On first occurrences, your account rep reaches out to discuss what was found. Persistent contamination can often be solved with clearer signage or a brief staff training - CalStar provides both at no cost.

Yes. CalStar's monthly reports include all data fields required by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and most local jurisdictions for AB 341 and SB 1383 compliance documentation. Reports are formatted for direct inclusion in compliance binders and can be exported in PDF or CSV. If your jurisdiction has specific reporting requirements, let your rep know and we'll accommodate.

Rebate amounts fluctuate with commodity markets - cardboard and metal prices can vary significantly quarter to quarter based on global demand. CalStar does not guarantee a fixed monthly rebate amount. However, we do guarantee that any qualifying material we collect will generate a rebate at the current market rate. Your rep can share current rates and help you estimate monthly credit ranges based on your volume.

Yes — CalStar can provide recycling-only service to a business that uses another hauler for general trash. Some clients use us solely for OCC and metal recycling to capture rebates and hit compliance targets. There's no requirement to bundle services. However, bundled trash and recycling accounts receive priority scheduling, combined invoicing, and often better per-stop economics.

Pricing covers a 7 day rental depending on size. Need it longer? Call dispatch we'll be happy to help.

On all containers we need 10 feet wide driveway and about 3 car space length. We'll always confirm the spot with you before drop-off on every delivery.

If the container sits entirely on your private property (driveway, yard), no permit is needed. If you need to place it on a public street, most cities require a temporary use permit, check with your local city hall for more information.

Affordable pricing, includes delivery, the full rental window, pickup, and disposal by weight.

Call us - we'll come service it, usually the same or next business day in most areas and drop a fresh one if you need it.

Almost always yes, in our core service areas (most of LA County). Order before 11am and we'll usually have you a same-day spot. Worst case, next-business-day.

Rather than a vague "sometime during business hours," CalStar assigns each stop a specific window - for example, 7:00–9:00 AM Tuesday and Thursday. The driver's arrival is GPS-logged at the actual stop time. If a stop is going to fall significantly outside that window due to route delays, your account rep is notified to reach out. We don't guarantee exact-minute arrivals, but we hold to the window consistently.

A missed stop is flagged in our system by the end of the route. Your account rep contacts you the same day to acknowledge the miss and schedule a makeup pickup - typically within 24 hours. Consistent missed stops are taken seriously at CalStar and are tracked against route performance metrics. You're not billed for a stop that wasn't made.

Yes. One frequency change per quarter is included in your route agreement at no charge. If you need more frequent changes - common for seasonal businesses or growing restaurants - your rep can discuss a flexible frequency option. Frequency increases can usually be implemented within 1–2 billing cycles.

Accounts with the Emergency Swap add-on can call for an extra pickup with 24-hour notice, 7 days a week. Standard accounts can request an extra pull at an additional per-trip rate. If you find yourself needing extra pulls regularly, your rep will recommend increasing your frequency - which is almost always more cost-effective than recurring emergency pulls.

It depends on your route. For most commercial accounts, trash and recycling can be scheduled on the same day in a split-body truck, or on separate days depending on your container layout. Organics pickups are always on a separate day to preserve stream purity. Your account setup will clearly document which streams are picked up on which days.

Call dispatch to see if we service your city.

Most major holidays shift your pickup one day later that week. We notify all customers by text and email the week before any schedule change. No pickup is ever skipped - just shifted.

Yes. Extra 96-gallon carts are available for an additional monthly fee. We can also swap you to a larger cart size if your household generates more than a standard bin each week. Call dispatch to adjust.

Pickup day is determined by your street's route. We'll confirm your specific day when you sign up. Most areas have Monday–Friday route coverage.

We serve 115+ cities across LA County. Enter your ZIP on the home page to check - or just call us.

Any residential customer whose primary or secondary property has been damaged or destroyed by a declared wildfire qualifies. You don't need documentation upfront - just let us know when you call and we'll apply the discount immediately. We verify via the disaster declaration area.

It can be. Wildfire ash often contains heavy metals, burned plastics, and other toxic residues. Our crews wear appropriate PPE when handling ash-heavy debris. We recommend you avoid unnecessary contact with debris and let trained crews handle loading.

Yes, you can rent a container and load it yourself if you prefer. Use N95 masks or better, long sleeves, and gloves when handling fire debris. Call us if you find anything that looks like it may be hazardous (discolored ash, chemical containers, suspect pipe insulation).

We provide documentation at the end of each job - weight tickets, haul dates, and a summary sheet. Submit these with your Other Structures or Debris Removal coverage claim. We can also send documentation directly to you via email if you need it.

Yes, when applicable. During major disaster events, LA County and FEMA sometimes run coordinated debris removal programs with specific documentation requirements. We're familiar with those formats and can align our documentation accordingly. Ask us about your specific event.

Asbestos-containing material must be handled by a licensed abatement contractor - it's the law, and we won't load it. We'll stop work, flag the suspect material, and provide a referral to an abatement firm we've worked with. You'll need an abatement clearance before we can proceed with that area.