UWS didn´t collect the community trash that was scheduled for pick up on Thursday May 7th. We called the customer service center on May 7th, 8th, they just said that the trucks were still in the route and that they will investigate what happened. We called back on Saturday morning May 9th and nobody pick up the call. Well, we spend mothers day weekend with garbage bags piled in our backyards, because our trash bins were full in the main street for four days in a row. They finally pick it up on Monday May 11th. read more

Absolutely awful. My home is in an area where the Eaton Fire occurred, damaged but not destroyed, but house uninhabitable until recently . Despite the fact that I have handicap rollout my trash containers were often left unattended during my absence They didn't forget to deduct the payment from my bank account though! I recently returned and in the past three weeks the trucks have driven right past my home. I called several times and was given assurance that a truck would pick up my trash the next day. Needless to say that did not occur. I was again given assurances over the phone when I called twice on that alleged pickup day that everything was ok and the bins would pick-up by 6:00 pm They weren't..it was a Friday which meant an additional weekend ...two more days with no pick up. I had to cancel with a group that was scheduled to help with weeding and clearing my yard the following day as I had no where to put the trash..and that means I am now back at the bottom of the queue. And today once again the truck has driven right past my house. Athens were wonderful. Universal, to put it mildly, most certainly is not. read more

I've been without trash and recycle bins for 21 days. They do not know how to operate a business. I've never been more dissatisfied with a service provider. read more

Picking up trash on the day your suppose to you guys dont have enough drivers your employees have told us

Before the fires they would often miss picking up bins and make a mess of trash dumping out of bins. Post fire they still charge me even though we haven't been putting bins out. If you are in the market for trash service I would not recommend them. Altadena made a massive mistake contracting with this company and I eagerly await the day their contract is up. read more

THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS REALLY BAD I spoke to 3 different people one of the being daisy. I told them that they took 2 of my black bins and only left 1 and they said if I wanted an extra bin that I had to pay. I told them that in the flyer and booklet they sent out it says "you will receive the same number of carts currently at your home" the 3 people i spoke to said that was not correct and that if I needed the bin I would have to pay and I told them thats not what they company says. The last person I spoke to said to disregard that because it is wrong and I was reading it wrong then I asked her to explain and she said your only getting 1 and if you need anymore you have to pay. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS REALLY BAD DO NOT GO WITH THIS COMPANY THEY NEED MORE TRAINING FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. IF I COULD GIVE THEM A 0 RATING I WOULD. read more

Universal Waste Systems - This is the said flyer from the company that the last person said it didn't say that and that if it did I was reading it wrong - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

Customer service manager Stevee Salmeron.Stevee was wonderful in helping me clear up a bill/contract that was very adjust and complete nightmare. I was not getting any resolved and Stevee stepped in and was awesome.! Stevee was really professional and on top of things and helped me figure out this out in order to get my bill back on track. I just want to make sure Stevee is recognized for her professional service and awesome customer service where she went above and beyond for me. read more

They say you're going to call you back and they don't they say they're going to pick up the big items in front of your house they've been sitting there for 3 days read more

Horrible service! They don't pick up our black trash bin. They pick up the other ones except the trash. This has been an ongoing issue since November 2023. I have to call every week so they can pick up our trash. Sometimes they don't even come next day like they promised. The supervisor was supposed to call me last week between Wednesday and Friday but failed to call. Today is Monday and our trash bin is full. We had to throw trash in the green bin. read more

Universal Waste Systems - Trash bin never gets picked up. We have to call weekly and they still don't come. Ongoing issue since last year. - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

This company is a masterclass in negligence. Their sheer incompetence and disregard for customers is appalling. I reported my broken green bin on December 20, 2024, after THEIR OWN TRASH SERVICE DESTROYED IT. I was told it would take three weeks to replace. That was over two months ago. I have called every single week since mid-January, only to be fed the same lazy, robotic excuse: "It should have been replaced already." Yet, here I am, still with a broken /useless bin. I even agreed to accept a used bin just to speed things up--still nothing. What exactly am I paying for? Because it sure as hell isn't service. Absolute nightmare of a company. FIX THIS. NOW. read more

Universal Waste Systems - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

This company is an absolute joke. My 89 year old grandma has been displaced since Jan 6. She has received a bill over $400 for service after the Eaton Fire. She has no trash cans as they were melted. No trash has been picked up since January yet they are still charging. I called and requested to pay the Jan portion and have the remaining balance waived and they refused to do this even though they have picked up nothing for 7 months . People who have their whole city burn down are concerned about rebuilding and dealing with their Insurance company to get back home, not calling the trash service. Do better UWS I have spoken with a customer service Rep and Supervisor who both need serious sensitivity training. Standing behind charging someone for a service that was not rendered is fraud. read more

Everything's organized, communication is clear, and the flow is steady. Makes my job easier every time I pull in

3 emails, 1 phone call to customer service and my sofas are still sitting out in the alley making my neighborhood look like a illegal dumping site! I guess this is what happens when companies get to big that on time paying customers for their service get forgotten. The problem here is that my city elects a company via contracts. Hopefully city officials see all these bad reviews before considering to renew their contracts and select a better company instead that still strives to do a good job and services... read more

Universal Waste Systems - 3 emails, 1 call and my sofas are still in the alley making my neighborhood look like a illegal dumping site! We scheduled on 5/22/25 - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

Off to a horrible with this company. Just trying to set up service with them has been a joke already. Called them at 3:45 yesterday and requested call back. No call back, no call today. Called them at 1pm today, requested call back feature again after already waiting for 30 minutes and it's now 4 hours later and still no call back. Don't offer a call back feature if no one ever calls your customers back. It's unprofessional. I wish LA County didn't use this company and we could go elsewhere. I have a feeling the rest of the negative reviews are absolutely true as well. read more

The worst garbage company ever. I've requested trash bin exchange because a wheel broke off and after 6 months I still have not received a new bin. I spend time calling in each week to follow up and they always say it will be done the following week -- I am still waiting. Even the managers at Universal work with no urgency. Very frustrating. On my latest call, because my city is switching over to a new servicer in 3 weeks the Universal waste representative said that since I am changing servicer, they're simple not going to do anything. THE WORST COMPANY. read more

This is an update from a previous review. They did now replace my burned bin after the Palisades fire (although it took quite a while). Thanks read more

They do not service requests timely . All social media avenues are full of complaints . I'm going on 4 requests and still can't be done .

Worst garbage company, their trucks leak their waste on the streets, when you call to request their driver to come back to pick up a missed can, they never answer but they give you the option to get called back which they never do. So my can sits on the streets for the week waiting to be serviced the following week. But we're forced to pay for their service. I literally have to get in my vehicle and track someone down which I hope is the right commodity if not then I have to travel street by street in search of the right driver. read more

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! they will overcharge you over and over without proof, not providing invoices ! not providing a weight certificate! even worse! they will send you a smaller container then ordered, we order 40 yard and we got 32 ... The measurements are: 18x8 and 6ft high- HOW IT CAN BE 40 YARD ???? check the calculator you will get to 32 cubic yard! see pictures .. https://www.omnicalculator.com/construction/cubic-yard When we call to report they say it doesn't matter the weight,, this is how they charge you for being overweight!!! SCAM!! SCAM!! poor customer service and poor service, not answering the phone and when they are they will put you on hold for a long time, they are the worst waste company ! They have lots of complaints and we wish we were checking them before!! be careful DO NOT USE!! SCAMMER !!! HERE IS THEIR COMPANY INFORMATION: Universal Waste Systems 9016 Norwalk Blvd, Santa Fe Springs, CA https://www.uwscompany.com/ read more

Universal Waste Systems - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

We are forced to have UWS as our trash service provider and they are so unresponsive. Our trash cans are consistently tipped over and left in the middle of the street. Two times in the last month our trash was not picked up. We call and they say they will by the next day but never happens. read more

Worst incompetent business ever!!! Supposed to drop off paid for 3yrd recycle bin paid 300$ never got it ...after numerous calls the next day and email I got response from rollout dept stating it was not dropped off because driver couldn't finish his deliveries No courtesy call to inform ... very unprofessional..stated they would drop off on the day I called them never got bin on that day either but they have my money and has NOT provided service...mannn I miss Athens waste...... clean up your incompetence!!!!!!! Update 7/22/24 .. received contact from USW, Francine, whom was extremely professional an offered a immediate resolution to resolve my inconvenience. Thank you Francine, keep up the excellent work read more

They can start by actually picking up the bins and when they do they leave a mess. You call them and Office ppl says one thing, the driver does another. How many times does a customer have to call to get some action going? read more

The absolute worst service ever! Constantly misses picking up our trash & recycling! Customer service is useless but wait, they want their money every month!! Avoid this company if you can!!!!!! read more

Our building switched to their service after San Diego changed the rules with city trash pick up. It has now been 3 weeks and they haven't come by to pick up trash, recycling or Green waste. Our bins are full to capacity. This company is the worst. read more

Worst customer service! Joy likes to play games by placing you on indefinite hold, checking in every 10 minutes to say, please hold on. Never asked anything by way of bulk pickups, scheduled one and was assured they'd pick it up Friday after Thanksgiving, but here Monday night it still sits at the end of my driveway. I can't wait to rail against these guys at our next city council meeting... read more

After being on hold for over an hour, they hung up on me. I put in for them to call me back. I'm not sure they will. I ordered a new trashcan. They brought me one that was so dirty and I refuse to take it. I'm still waiting for my new trashcan and the replacement for my broken trashcan For service all around. read more

Customer service is terrible. Spent 45 minutes on hold to be told no and nothing we can do. I am trying to get a credit for not using their service due to the Altadena fires and being told "Sorry, you have to pay anyway." Seems like a no brainer to offer a credit for services that I never received in this very unique situation. read more

If I could leave less than 1 star I woild because of the absolutely crappy customer service phone system and the humans who shoild be insuring the it actually routes your call.instead of spending HOURS calling back to be olaced on hold for 30 minutes at a time ONLY TO BE DISCONNECTED. Yes, I did try their "press star and we'll call you back." NO ONE CALLED ME BACK. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REPORT MY BLUE TRASH CAN MISSING FOR TWO WEEKS. I can't even reach them to get a new one, let alone to credit my bill for the missing one!!! Universal Waste Systems' regular pick up.is reliable, and I think they are a good crew in my area. read more

Day number 4, and large trash is still out in the street. My neighbors and I have been calling since Tuesday morning and we keep getting the same run around,. You are scheduled for today's pick up, but we can't guarantee. So sad a local buisness treats senior citizens like this. No guarantee, but you better pay your bill on time or else. So disrespectful to the community that pays them. read more

They deserve 0/5 stars. Just moved into our new home and have been trying to set up service since February. We've requested bins multiple times. We even called once and were told that our bins had been dropped off and there wasn't a request in their system anymore. We never got any bins! Every time I call I wait on hold for almost an hr. It's always the same answer, "We can't guarantee the bins will be dropped off, but they should be there Monday." It's ridiculous. If you won't drop them off, give us an option to go get them ourselves. I don't know what to do anymore. This company is by far the worst business I've ever had the displeasure of working with. It's BS that we're forced to use them rather than use a real company that cares about their customers. Do better. read more

The most inefficiently run company I've ever dealt with. Receptionists are defensive; direct contact with management staff nonexistent; and poor communication/results all around. read more

This company just took over in the city of South Gate. Horrible decision, they're suppose to pick up our trash every Monday it's now Wednesday and still nothing. Don't even get me started with their customer service representatives (useless). This is embarrassing who wants to have family over when they're entire place smells like trash. Oh and don't get me started with all the rodents this is attracting. read more

Universal Waste Systems - Monday afternoon - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

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I've called 4 times and disconnected 3 times. There was no answer in the last 30 minutes when calling.

Scheduled a bulk trash pick up in advance and it's going on 4 days of No show. Called each day , twice a day to be told " sorry for the inconvenience , we will be there today to pick up". It's now 2:30 am Saturday morning , 4th day and trash is still on street. I have sent emails, called the office 2x a day and contacted BBB. I noticed UWS has a D- rating and is not accredited with BBB. I see so many complaints on there about the service . We are extremely unhappy with this company. UWS 9016 Norwalk Blvd Santa Fe Springs , Ca 90670 read more

Very pleased with the UWS's service. They went above and beyond to help me find the perfect item for my trash hauling needs. Highly recommend them! read more

Universal Waste Systems - Glad im in an area that UWS services. Went above and beyond to help me find the perfect item for my trash hauling needs. Highly recommend! - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

We're having the same issue as customers below regarding bins that are not replaced. It's been 5 months going on 6 for us. Enough is enough. In addition to writing negative reviews here on YELP, you guys need to file your complaints with LA Public Works and/or the LA County Board of Supervisors. They are the ones who hire these companies. Because this company has no competition, they won't change how it deals with customers until you file complaints with their bosses. If their bosses don't fix this, then we take it to the state and the media. It's not right that they raise prices and yet not provide proper service to their customers. To the company: The least you can do is communicate with your customers about WHY it's taking so long to replace bins and meet the service needs of your customers instead of having your CSRs LIE to customers about when something is going to happen. read more

So bad. I hate that we cannot choose our own provider and am forced by the city to pay for services that are not provided. I have called time and time again to pick up green waste. I have tried to comply for composting but having to leave the bins sitting out for days at a time just growing maggots and having flies all over is horrid. I will unfortunately have to put all my green waste in the trash. So much for helping the environment and paying for them not to do their job. read more

I LOVE Universal Waste Systems. I live in Long Beach and they've been our provider on the unincorporated island of "Carson Park" since we moved here 10 years ago. First of all - cheaper than any other service. 2nd: their random bulk pick-up requests (as long as you don't abuse them) are ALSO FREE (beyond the 2x a year promoted pick ups). 3rd: their dumpster rentals are waaaaay cheaper than EdConor Waste Management. 4th: service is PHENOMENAL!!!! I can always get a live person on the phone and the garbage pick up personnel are so kind. They wave to me and my kids. They're courteous and helpful when you need it - especially among our elderly neighbors. It's weird to live a waste company so much but I do!!!!!! read more

A Truly Professional and Punctual Company UWS stands out for its unwavering commitment to service quality and transparent billing practices. From the initial consultation to waste pick-up, their professionalism and attention to detail were consistently impressive. They were always punctual, ensuring a high standard of service. Thanks for everything. read more

Universal Waste Systems - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

Best Service Ever I am very happy to switch to UWS because they have great customer service. They don't overcharge. At first, I was hesitant because I also saw some bad reviews, but with my experience has been great! I am glad we switched! read more