A lot of people assume El Monte and South El Monte share the same trash and bulky-pickup program. They don't. South El Monte is its own incorporated city with a separate waste services contract, and the rules for bulky-item pickup are noticeably different from what El Monte proper offers.
A different city, a different contract
El Monte contracts Valley Vista Services, which includes 20 free bulky pickups per year for single-family homes. South El Monte instead contracts Athens Services, and the terms of that program are more limited.
The 3-pickup cap
South El Monte (zip code 91733) residents get three excess bulky-item pickups per year through Athens Services — a fraction of El Monte's 20-pickup allowance. If you're doing more than a few cleanouts a year at a South El Monte address, that cap gets used up quickly.
Neighborhood cleanup events
Athens Services also organizes scheduled neighborhood cleanup events in February and June each year, which give South El Monte residents an additional way to dispose of bulky items outside the standard 3-pickup allowance. These are worth planning around if your cleanout timing is flexible.
Before assuming which program applies to you, confirm whether your address is in El Monte proper or South El Monte (91733) — the two programs have different caps, different contractors, and different phone numbers to call.
When our service fits in for South El Monte addresses
- You've used your 3 Athens pickups for the year already
- You can't wait for the next February or June neighborhood cleanup event
- Athens won't take the items — light-industrial and commercial debris are refused, same as El Monte's program
- You need same-day or next-day removal rather than a scheduled program date
See our dedicated South El Monte residential page for local service notes, or call for a same-day quote once your Athens allowance is used up.
Used up your Athens pickups for the year?
Text a photo to (877) 665-2219. We cover South El Monte the same day, no waiting for the next Athens cycle.
Frequent questions
How do I know if I'm in El Monte or South El Monte?
Check your zip code — South El Monte addresses are 91733. If you're unsure, your water or trash bill will show which city services your address.
Does the 3-pickup cap reset every year?
Yes, the allowance resets annually, similar to El Monte's Valley Vista program, just at a much lower cap.
Are commercial properties in South El Monte covered by Athens's free program?
No — like El Monte's Valley Vista program, Athens's free bulky pickup is for residential single-family accounts, not commercial debris.
About this guide: Written by the crew at Junk Removal Pros, El Monte, CA. Questions or corrections? Text us at (877) 665-2219.