By far the worst trash company! They were recently contracted with the City of South Gate. So far, worst decision our city has ever made. From the beginning they struggled to distribute trash cans, pick up old ones, and still fail to pick up our trash on time. Trash days are every Friday, I usually have to call on Wednesdays because they fail to pick up. Customer service is awful, they fail to answer and when they do, the person behind the phone is extremely rude. I absolutely do not support this company. Maybe they were to small of a company go take on this responsibility. read more

Liz came by to assess the trash situation at our commercial building. She was very friendly and helpful. I learned a lot! :-)

For weeks following the Eaton fire they would come by every few days and pick up anything that was out front regardless of what color receptacle/they were good neighbors to us, always good natured and giving us a thumbs up! read more

Terrible company - Always delays bulky picks - at least 2 days after committed date - Never picks up Christmas tree on trash day as advertised- yearly issue - Neighborhood Bulky pick up was forgotten and streets were lined with trash for 1 WEEK (UWS advertised event) - left number in queue and was never called back TWICE - Wait time to speak to someone is always long (more than 30 minutes) read more

After almost 40 years of being in the demolition industry, I have finally found the absolute bottom of the barrel as far as dumpster service. This sham franchise trash hauling company is the epitome of bad service. No email responses, returned phone calls, refunds, (after taking full payment almost a week before said delivery) no show, no response. They just dont give a F..k!. Makes you wonder how an unscrupulous company can stay in business and thrive. Its called kickbacks. These kind of businesses should be shut down, but then who would line the pockets of the pricks at the top? F..k Em read more

Ms. Sekman is an outstanding representative for Universal Waste. She is thorough, caring, and knowledgeable, a complete professional! The five stars are for her!! I am still getting over the nearly one year that we were made to bring our recycling to the front because they would charge us otherwise. This predates Ms Sekman. read more

NO STARS for their customer commitment. Due to a recent change in service providers, they are ABUSING the senior customers in the community by leaving them with no trash recepticals for over 4 weeks now. Started with a weekly call and a promise to deliver and now 4 weeks later, calling daily with a promise to deliver every single day and nothing is happening. read more

3 weeks in a row they keep promising to replace the bins. Every week I call and it's "next week". I sure wish trash wasn't a monopoly and we had a choice. Maybe their service would improve. read more

Why do customers have to go on Yelp (a third party platform) to get attention or to resolve an issue? I've been calling everyweek and got the same answer everytime. Is it safe to give out confidential information on Yelp? I dont think so. Will there be a difference if I give out my information on Yelp? I dont think so. You said you contacted me a FEW TIMES, now thats a lie. Ridiculous.... read more

See all

This company is amazing not to mention they are attentive to your needs and let me tell you Carey and Alisha are amazing people they both are highly decorated with knowledge and skills for the job. Go Chargers!! read more

Initially, I was kind of skeptical about UWS, but after one year, I am very happy that I switched! Good service and affordable.

They don't even deserve a one star trying to figure out how they still in business all the workers are incompetent it's so hard to grasp that they can't do something so simple, they are supposed to get my trash empty it & put it back for senior citizens either they don't get the trash at all or they get it then don't put it back, they always leave one trash they don't get at all and for the whole street, since 10/23 to present I've had to send a email every week for one thing or another, and always it's can you come get my trash you took 2 forgot one, a supervisor came very next day same thing I have asked for a operation manager nothing yet they had a meeting about 6 months ago due to so MANY complaints gosh the whole community is piss this changed nothing they got worse we don't have a choice on having our own options to get another trash company, I have emails from 10/23 to current every week something different they didn't do read more

I requested a quote for a dumpster and I got a response back from Brian right away. I've never rented a dumpster before so I appreciate his quick responses to my questions. The process is painless. Thank you! read more

I am a new customer, only because this company was awarded the contract formerly held by another company. It took UWS over one month to deliver our new trash and recycling bins, which are way too large for me and most of my neighbors to handle. They also have yet to deliver the mandatory green/compost bin, required per recently enacted law. I have tried to reach UWS' customer service department multiple times over the last month and a half, holding 30 minutes on average. Despite their continuous looping "Your call is very important to us" message, NO ONE EVER ANSWERS! I've even tried their "Press 1 to be placed in the call-back queue", also without response. I'm at a loss as to how get this company to respond. Oir family needs smaller bins, as well as our green bin. Any suggestions? read more

I am glad to have switched to UWS. I wasted so much money, paying for extra fuel fees, overage, environment, and on and on with my previous provider. Now, I am paying less each month for good trash pick up services. read more

Initial contact and response review: Have been working with Brian at UWS. So far for the initial contact and scheduling has been a pleasant experience. We requested a quote and got an answer within hours. After we had time to figure out what we needed we had lots of questions. Brian has been very attentive to our emails and is helping us figure out how best to make our company move-out easier with the use of a roll off. I will update review once we have completed the service we are using with UWS. read more

Universal Waste Systems was easy to setup for our apartment building. Their service rep, Eric Newton came out the next day and worked to customize a great package for us. We also needed trash bins quickly for our inspection and they rushed the process. Their billing department was also easy to connect with and helpful. Very happy with their service. read more

I have a great contact at UWS, Brian Zuniga who has been nothing but amazing to work with. He responds immediately to my emails and takes action on ordering what we need for the property. Can not thank him enough for his professionalism and kindness. Its so appreciated! Thank you ! read more

Great staff quick direction, in and out no trouble dumping debris. Affordable pricing and out the door

So the El Camino Village changed to UWS without notifying the residents. Well it's been several months and UWS is true to their business. IT'S GARBAGE! It started with the replacement of bins, my residence was skipped. I called and placed on hold for a while. I asked why everybody's were replaced. My address was not on their radar. A few months later, my wife called about a confusing bill and person who assisted her could not explain her concerns, she was told not to worry about it. On 4/6/23 my green bin was not picked up. I called the next day, Friday at 2:00pm since I did not see trucks as usual with previous co. Waste Management, they would send a truck next day if pick up was missed on regular day. I stayed on hold for 10 minutes and decided to opt for a call back. 30+minutes later, a woman from CB service returned my call and initially said that USW does not handle my area. After a bit of back and forth she found correct info and said that entire area was not picked up. She told me to leave can out and assured me that a pick up would be done later in the day or next, referring to Saturday, adding that service times are 6:00am to 6:00pm. Well no truck came. Saturday I called back and was on hold for 38 minutes. Different person answered and had no clue of my prior conversations. She said that I would have to call office main number since she was at an off hours call back center. She said that main office closed at 2:00pm on Saturday. She assured me that a truck would pick up on Monday and she would forward email to main office staff regarding no pick up for three days. Well Monday came and nothing. What burns me is not so much the fact that pick up was missed, it's the fact that A&B are not on the same page and the hold wait time with the stupid auto recording saying that I'm a "Valued Customer" is a slap on the face. Just tell me that no trucks will be sent until the next scheduled day. read more

I first called UWS about a billing problem three months ago. Three calls later, they created two additional problems, plus they raised my rate! If anyone has any influence over your area g etting UWS, say no! read more

I've been asking for a trash can replacement for over two months...TWO MONTHS. This started on oct.28th when I called the 1800# and they assured me that a trash will be on the next trash pick-up day...came and gone, no trash can. Called again and again same old response. Last straw was I asked to speak on a higher level. Her name is Grace. So she put me on a high priority list.Great! So on dec.26th I received a call from the trash can delivery person and that they'll be sending me a trash can the next day. That date came and gone..no trash can.. I called on Dec.28th to make my complaint again and I wanted to talk to a supervisor . They told me that one would call me back. NO ONE ANSWERED BACK. I have an old broken down trash can with a three foot hole where rats and possums can enter! I'm being held hostage with a crappy trash can...SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!! This complaint is coming from E.gragmont st Covina read more

they leave my bins on the street overnight multiple times then others dump material into it and we as the business owners must shoulder the burden and correct their mistakes LA forccing us to deal with these companys SUCKS read more

Since day one, issues with UWS. WM wasnt this disorganized, they would pick up your large bulk items around your schedule. Not make you, the customer wait till trash day. On MULTIPLE occasions trash was forgotten to be picked up for two weeks. Had to call b complain bout that numerous times. Seen their supervisor taking a nap on company vehicle for a good while. Super unorganized company. Bit more then they can chew with this contract. Ill be reaching out to the city of South Gate as well. read more

This is a very tacky, inconsiderate and wicked waste service!! They charge too much for trash pickup, don't care if you are unable to pay and when you try to call them, you can't reach them and have to listen to their annoying recorded messages over and over again and expect you to give them your number to call back!! I don't want to do that because, suppose I'm busy or anything else? Their pickup time is also inconvenient, your trash will be sitting and rotting more in the hot heat the longer it sits and they will even not pick up your trash just to be mean‼ read more

Universal Waste Systems has given our business a very cost-effective solution for our waste. Their customer service agents are quick to respond and assist us with whatever is needed. read more

They have the worst customer service and the supervisors are always busy with angry customer calls. The only way to get a hold of them is a callback but you have no idea when they will call. If you are unable to pick up you won't get another call. I constantly have issues with missed pick ups on both the green and black bins or partial pickups. When you finally do get a hold of a supervisor they always bring up the same BS excuse that GPS shows the truck was there. Yes, the truck was there but didn't pick up!! GPS doesn't prove anything but that is their bogus line time and time again. Unfortunately, I can't switch to another provider as our area has a contract with this horrible company. read more

They do not pick up trash. So when called out again for missing the first time around they charge an additional 150 to come out again and still do not show up. By far the worst trash service in Southgate. Better business bureau needs to check this company. Calling tomorrow to report them. read more

Office staff has the worst telephone and customer service skills. Drivers are crooked! They won't take a bin of mine because the lid was slightly open, but will take a bribe to dump a day cares Blue, Green, and 2 Blackbird full of trash! I hope they loose their contract and L.A. County gets another company! read more

Universal Waste Systems - Truck left a mess on my street after slamming the cans on the top of his truck. - Recycling Center Near Me - Santa Fe Springs, California

See all

Absolute worste customer service. They tack on charges they they will refuse to refund. Change contracts without notifying customers.

The guys at UWS are great. Have called for dumpsters about 5-6 times now. Dispatch is straight forward and is true to his word with deliver and dates. The drivers themselves are good people, willing to work with us and are respectful. I always chat with them friendly folks. They'll clean up after pickup and make sure no debris can fall out. i'll be using them as my go to's For-sure. Pricing is way better than the two other company's Ive worked with. read more

I do NOT like this company and I want the old one we had before. Why does UWS only provides us with one green, one blue and one black trash cans when the previous one gave us TWO of each at no extra cost. I want the previous waste service company back! read more

IF YOU CAN AVOID THIS COMPANY, DO IT!!! If I could give them a "0" I would. They supposedly "underbid" Athens, the company that formerly picked up our trash and that's why the County awarded UWS the contract. Well, I just received my first bill and they are charging an EXTRA $7.85 for the 2nd greens/yard bin PER MONTH, that Athens used to pick up at NO EXTRA CHARGE. So that UWS bill that was supposedly the "underbid" of Athens is actually, almost a 25% HIGHER than Athens bill was. This is a dishonest company!!! read more

I live on Olive in Altadena and I don't know the name of the person that picked up my waste (black bin) this past Monday (9/4) but I really appreciate their extra effort. I had some extra items in a smaller trash can and I know they shouldn't pick up anything outside of the regular but I could have cried when I saw that it was picked up as well. And all my trash cans were against the curb and not left halfway in the street. I've been having a hard time lately and it felt so nice to know that there are people out there, will to go 150%. God bless... read more

I live in an incorporated area South San Gabriel. Athens provided great services for over 20 years until UWS took over. Collection day on my block is on Tuesdays. Street cleaning is on Weds. The driver responsible to empty the green recycle bin has been coming on Weds for weeks instead. He did not show up on Tues (11/21). When I came home from work Weds (11/22) evening saw my green trash can was crushed and the wheel came off. Called the Santa Fe spring office 562-941-4900 on Fri (11/24 ) after Thanksgiving. Was told their driver will replace it by next Monday 11/27. On Mon (11/27), no replacement for a new bin. Called again and was told will be delivered tomorrow. By Fri (12/1) still no replacement. Called and spoke with a lady named Daniela. Very rude to tell me it could take up to 2 months to get it. That all I can do is wait and use trash bags. For tree branches and bushes? Called again today Monday (12/4) and the same lady Daniela answered the phone. She then lied and said the driver came out but did not pick up my damaged bin bc the lid was missing. Told her the lid is still attached to the trash can but the wheel came off and the can was crushed. Regardless how damage it was, still need to pick up the damaged one and give me a new one. Then she told me I need to wait until whenever the driver is available to drop off the new bin bc he is busy with other orders. While I was telling her we really need the new bin asap, she hung up on me. So unprofessional! So many bad stories and complains like me about this company. Update 12/5: After posted the review yesterday. I was contacted by UWS Business manager Francine on yelp within an hour. Provided her my phone number and received a phone call from her shortly after that. Explained my situation to her in details. She contacted UWS operational unit. Today ( within 12 hours), I received a green recycle bin and the damaged one was taken away. Thank you so much Francine! read more

This is the worst trash company we ever had to deal with. Our trash was supposed to be picked up and the trash cans dropped off days ago. Everyday we keep hearing empty promises that it would happen by 6pm but nothing has been done. A notice out to have a supervisor call us but no one called. read more

I called up and asked if they service Norwalk and they said yes so I ordered a 40 yard bin for demo, set up for Friday drop off then a hour after it was dropped off they came back out and picked it up saying they can not drop a bin in Norwalk. They should have know this so sat came no bin 5 workers that I had to pay for the day and to top it off they collected my $700 and said i would be refunded with in 7 days well 29 days later nothing. Do not use them read more

Universal Waste has been getting a lot of negative feedback from my neighbors here in Altadena and I want to weigh in on this. The previous company did a terrible job, didn't replace our broken carts, and it's my understanding that they've been horrible in the transition. They've refused to work well with UWS which is leading to many of the issues that people are raising. Let's give them a chance, people!!!! read more

if I could not chose a star I would. this is the worst company. they have poor costumer service. trash cans haven't been serviced in a month. trash isn't picked up. they are rude and disrespectful over the phone. they hang up on you. they promise delivery of trash cans and never come. the people who work there haven't a clue on if service will happen. the company is a joke and this company should be out of business. waste management and republic services is way better. get your city to petition this company and put it out of business. read more

Universal Waste is a community provider that we appreciate in the city of South Gate. They have been extremely helpful at our local schools and have donated to families in need. We value their support! read more