Trash & Recycling in San Diego, CA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
San Diego provides weekly residential solid waste collection per SDMC §66.0127 and the Waste Management Regulations. The City collects trash weekly and recyclables biweekly. The new organic waste program under SB 1383 compliance requires food scraps and yard waste in the green bin. Containers must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day and retrieved by 6:00 PM. The City transitioned all single-family homes to city-provided trash service.
San Diego Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 42652.5 (SB 1383, Short-Lived Climate Pollutants)
The state board is also required to complete a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, as defined, in the state. This bill would require the state board, no later than January 1, 2018, to approve and begin implementing that comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants to achieve a reduction in methane by 40%, hydrofluorocarbo...
Bin Placement Rules
San Diego requires trash, recycling, and organic waste containers to be placed at the designated point of collection on the street, curb, or sidewalk per the collection schedule. Containers must be removed by 6:00 PM on collection day per SDMC §66.0105. When not in use, containers must be stored in a secured location not visible from the public right-of-way. Only City-approved automated refuse containers may be used.
San Diego Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
San Diego provides free curbside collection of bulky items for residential customers through the Environmental Services Department. Residents can schedule up to two free bulky item pickups per year. Items include furniture, appliances, mattresses, and large household items. Hazardous waste requires separate disposal at designated collection events or the Miramar Landfill household hazardous waste facility. Electronic waste has separate recycling requirements under state law.
San Diego Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
San Diego requires recyclable materials to be placed in approved blue recycling containers per SDMC Chapter 6, Article 6, Division 7. The City collects recyclables biweekly. SB 1383 compliance requires organic waste separation in green bins. The City has updated collection operations and amended franchise agreements to meet state recycling mandates. Contamination of recycling bins with non-recyclable materials may result in service warnings.
San Diego Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 42652.5 (SB 1383 — CalRecycle Organic Waste)
Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California’s hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires. 3 MILLION CARS worth of climate pollution will be cut by reaching SB 1383’s recycling and food rescue targets SB 1383 Progress Program News...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Under California SB-1383 and the city's Environmental Services Department program, every San Diego resident and business must separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, using the green curbside organics cart or hauler-provided service.
SB-1383 organics curbside required for every San Diego household
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
San Diego provides weekly greenery and organics cart pickup combining yard waste and food scraps under SB 1383. Branches up to 4 feet long and 6 inches diameter are accepted. Christmas trees are collected free for two weeks after Christmas.
San Diego Greenery Recycling & Organic Waste
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Trash & Recycling in San Diego County →