The snow is melting, the days are getting longer, and that pile of stuff in the garage isn’t going to deal with itself. Spring is the perfect time to clean out, clear up, and get your Big Bear Lake home ready for the warmer months ahead.

Whether you live here all year or are just opening your cabin for the season, this checklist will help you handle waste, recycling, and disposal the right way during your spring cleanout.

Most people start their spring cleanout in the garage or storage areas, where all kinds of waste tend to pile up.

You can use your free annual bulky item pickup for things like old furniture, broken appliances, or unused exercise equipment. Every Big Bear Lake home gets one pickup per year for up to four large items or three cubic yards, and it’s already included in your property taxes. Just give us a call to schedule.

If you have more than one pickup’s worth of stuff, Big Bear Disposal, Inc. can provide temporary bins and roll-off containers for bigger jobs. A 4-yard Rent-a-Bin is a good choice for a full garage cleanout or when turning over a property.

Spring cleaning often turns up items that shouldn’t go in the trash, like old paint cans, motor oil, dead batteries, household cleaners, pool chemicals, and expired medications. These hazardous materials need special handling.

You can drop off these items at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. This service is free for residents, thanks to a partnership between Big Bear Disposal, Inc., the City of Big Bear Lake, and San Bernardino County.

After winter, most Big Bear Lake homes have lots of pine needles, fallen branches, and dead leaves to clean up. The free 96-gallon green waste cart makes it easy to handle weekly yard debris. If you need a cart, just call us and we’ll deliver one.

If you have a bigger yard cleanup, you can place up to five extra bags of yard waste next to your green waste cart on collection day. Be sure to cut branches to less than four feet long and three inches thick for curbside pickup. Larger items can go to Clean Bear Site #1 or be picked up with a temporary bin.

Spring cleaning often means lots of cardboard, paper, and packaging. Flatten boxes before putting them in the blue cart, rinse out food containers, and keep plastic bags out of the recycling cart since they can jam the sorting equipment.

If you’re unsure about what belongs in the blue cart, check our Recycling Guide for a complete list.

If you’re cleaning up between pickup days or are a part-time resident preparing your cabin for summer, the Clean Bear Sites are a great option.

Clean Bear Site #1 at 41970 Garstin Drive is open every day from 7 am to 8 pm. Clean Bear Site #2 at 39690 Big Bear Blvd is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Both sites accept trash, recyclables, and more when you show proof of residency.

If you manage vacation rentals or short-term rental properties, spring is the perfect time to get ready before summer bookings pick up. Check your carts, think about upgrading to a bear-proof cart before wildlife becomes more active, and make sure your guests have clear information about pickup schedules and Clean Bear Site locations.

Your Spring Cleaning Checklist at a Glance

1. Schedule your free bulky item pickup for furniture, appliances, and large items.
2. Drop off Hazardous Waste  at the collection facility on Garstin Drive, Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.
3. Use Your Green Waste Cart for yard debris. Call us if you need one.
4. Sort Your Recyclables  and flatten cardboard before putting it in the blue cart.
5. Visit a Clean Bear Site for drop-offs between pickup days.
6. Check your carts and call us if you need replacements or upgrades.
7. Prep your rental property with waste info for summer guests.

Call our customer service team at (909) 866-3942, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. We’re here to help you find the best way to handle your spring cleanout.

https://bigbeardisposal.com/services/residential-services