Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide weekly trash service?BACK TO TOP

No, we do not provide weekly trash service. We are not your weekly trash haulers. We are not Waste Management or their affiliates.

What form of payment do you accept?BACK TO TOP

For roll-off dumpster service the payment options are all three major credit cards: Master Card, Visa, and American Express.

For disposal of waste at the C&D and Inert recycling facilities: An estimated CASH deposit is required upon entry. We accept, Cash, Debit, and Credit Cards as a form of final payment. All three major credit cards are accepted: Master Card, Visa, and American Express.

What are the payment options?BACK TO TOP

Unless you have pre-approved credit terms, you will be asked to provide payment before delivery of the dumpster or upon dumping at our facility.

Does someone have to be present when the dumpster is delivered, exchanged, or removed?BACK TO TOP

A responsible person (over the age of 18) is required upon delivery so the driver, with direction, can properly place the dumpster. Additionally, a signature is required that acknowledges receipt of the dumpster and confirms agreement of the CWS "Terms and Conditions".

You are not required to be present upon dumpster removal as long as the access is clear. When calling for service, it is your responsibility to assure CWS is given clear access to perform the service. If not, a "Trip Charge" will result and the service of the dumpster will be rescheduled for a day when access can be guaranteed.

How do I change or cancel my order for service?BACK TO TOP

Your request must be phoned or emailed in to CWS Customer Service before the order is dispatched.

As a courtesy, our driver will call or text the contact phone number provided before leaving the CWS facility. The driver will confirm the type of service as well as inform you that the dumpster service has been dispatched.

How far in advance do I need to place an order for service?BACK TO TOP

CWS order policy is determined by the volume of work that we have. Often times we request, that you place your order at least a day in advance. If more notice is needed, we will advise you when you call or email in your order. If we can advance your order, someone from the office will reach out to you to confirm if we can do so. Your specific start and end times will alter the order performance.

We do NOT guarantee times for 1 and 3-yard services. This service is routed, therefore, the time will be based on how the route is established each day. Typically, the areas north of the 10 Freeway (including Downtown and the Valley) are serviced in the mornings. The areas south of the 10 Freeway are serviced mid-day to afternoon.

What if I need to keep my dumpster longer than the allotted time?BACK TO TOP

The dumpster is loaned to you for a specific period of time as per your quoted service. Typically it is for 3 to 7 days (depending on service demand). If you exceed your allotted time, additional charges may apply. We will never automatically remove your dumpster at the end of the allotted time because you may not be ready for the dumpster to be removed. A courtesy call will always be made prior to removal. If you are finished prior to your allotted time, contact Customer Service via email or phone to schedule your dumpster removal.

How much waste can I put in the dumpster?BACK TO TOP

You may fill the dumpster to the level at the top. No further. This is the law, strictly enforced whereupon a citation will be issued for overloaded dumpsters. The rationale for this law is that if the material is filled over the top of the dumpster and our driver is required to perform an evasive maneuver while driving, the excess material could spill onto the roadway and cause serious harm. Please keep in mind that each dumpster size has a difference allowance in weight, which is determined by the type of material is carries.

See Dumpster Tips for more detailed information about what type of waste and how much weight is allowed in each size of dumpster.

How much weight, in pounds, equals a ton?BACK TO TOP

A ton equals 2000 pounds.

What is a "tonnage" limit and will I be billed for extra weight if I exceed the limit?BACK TO TOP

The rate you are quoted includes a certain amount of tons at no additional charge. Typically, the tonnage limit is 7 tons for a 40-yard dumpster. If you exceed the 7 tons, you will be billed, on a pro-rated basis, for the additional weight. A 20-yard dumpster typically has a 4 ton limit. A 10-yard dumpster has a tonnage limit of 12 tons. A 3-yard dumpster has a limit of 500 pounds. A 1-yard rolling dumpster has no weight limit.

The maximum weight you may put in a either a 10, 20 or a 40-yard dumpster is 12 tons. If you exceed the 12 tons, the CWS driver will inform you that we are not legally able to service the dumpster because of State of California road weight laws. You will kindly be asked to remove the excess material in order to lighten the dumpster to make it legal for transport. If your dumpster is not serviceable because of an overweight situation, a "Trip Charge" of up to $275.00 will likely result.

What does the rate quoted include?BACK TO TOP

Your price includes the dumpster delivery, disposal of the contents, and removal of your dumpster. All applicable municipal taxes and other surcharges, such as fuel, are also included in the stated rate.

NOT included in the rate are any additional charges for exceeding your tonnage limit, and other fees that will result if you dispose of non-acceptable waste material. Non-acceptable material includes all hazardous wastes including any type of liquid or food waste, antifreeze, asbestos, batteries, chemical products, dead animals, flammable materials, fluorescent tubes, herbicides & pesticides, medical waste, motor oil, transmission oil/lubricating/hydraulic oil/, contaminated oils (mixed with solvents, gasoline, etc.), oil filters, other flammable liquids, paint, partially filled aerosol cans, petroleum contaminated soil/lead paint chips, propane tanks, radioactive material, railroad ties, refrigeration-related appliances, sealed barrels, cylinders or tanks, solvents, and tires, treated lumber, weapons, and any other toxic waste as defined by local, county, state or federal regulations.

May I place the dumpster on the street or public right-of-way?BACK TO TOP

You must check with your local municipality if you can legally place a dumpster on the street without a permit. Nearly every city — including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Torrance — all require Street Use Permits (click here for a list of city contact information). It is your responsibility to obtain, and maintain, a valid Street Use Permit. Street Use Permits are available online for some cities.Click here to find your respective city information.

If you do not obtain a permit, and a City Inspector issues an order for immediate removal of the dumpster, we will promptly do as instructed and remove the dumpster. No refunds will be offered for a dumpster that is partially full or has been removed before your allotted rental period expires.

What are the unacceptable waste materials that are NOT allowed in the dumpsters? BACK TO TOP

Non-acceptable material includes all hazardous wastes including any type of liquid or food waste, antifreeze, asbestos, batteries, chemical products, dead animals, flammable materials, fluorescent tubes, herbicides & pesticides, medical waste, motor oil, transmission oil/lubricating/hydraulic oil/, contaminated oils (mixed with solvents, gasoline, etc.), oil filters, other flammable liquids, paint, partially filled aerosol cans, petroleum contaminated soil/lead paint chips, propane tanks, radioactive material, railroad ties, refrigeration-related appliances, sealed barrels, cylinders or tanks, solvents, and tires, treated lumber, weapons, and any other toxic waste as defined by local, county, state or federal regulations.

See Dumpster Tips for more detailed information about what type of waste and how much weight is allowed in each size of dumpster.

Will I receive a formal receipt or a confirmation of service?BACK TO TOP

For Roll-Off Service: You will receive a work order receipt from the driver, at the time of service. This requires your signature agreeing to our "Terms and Conditions" of service.

For Self-Haul Service: You will receive a work order receipt from the Scale Dispatcher, at the time of service. This requires your signature agreeing to our "Terms and Conditions" of service.

What is the "fine print"? Your "Terms and Conditions" of service? BACK TO TOP

Please click here for our "Terms and Conditions" of service.

What happens to the waste that CWS hauls and recycles? Where does it all go?BACK TO TOP

All waste hauled by CWS is delivered to our State of California approved recycling facility located in Gardena. We divert more than 75 percent of the total amount of waste from sanitary landfills, thus preserving our scarce natural resources for future generations.

Wood is divided into three different types:

  • Dimension Lumber and Plywood, which is sold to pallet manufactures.
  • Unpainted Wood, which is ground into sawdust to become an additive in making potting soils.
  • Painted Wood, Formica Covered Wood, Particle Board is ground into chips to be used as fuel for Co-Generation plants that produce electricity.

Drywall is shipped to the Central Valley of California where it is ground and mixed with manure to produce a soil amendment for alfalfa production. Drywall is high in alkaline and the soil in the Central Valley is alkaline deficient.

Metals of all types are sorted and shipped either to a domestic location or overseas. There, the metals are melted, producing new products.

Cardboard and paper products are sorted by type, baled, and then shipped to a domestic locations or overseas.

All types of plastics are baled, except for PVC, which cannot be safely baled because the substance shatters and can cause injury. Those products that have been baled are then shipped to a domestic location or overseas.

Concrete is ground up to produce a gravel like product that is used as an underlayment for new road construction.

Asphalt is ground up to produce a gravel like product that is used as an underlayment for new road construction.

Inert materials such as brick, block, ceramic tile, stucco, and marble are disposed in an engineered inert landfill that will one day become useful land for a park or a golf course.

Hazardous and Prohibited Materials: Although not legally allowed in CWS dumpsters, when discovered we must process and dispose of all hazardous and prohibited waste products per State of California regulations. Whenever possible, the waste is recycled for re-use.

The approximately 25 percent of remaining waste currently has no other beneficial re-use that is viable or economical. Therefore, that waste is delivered to a local sanitary landfill.