San Diego, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SDMC §66.0706(c)(3)
- Collection frequency
- Weekly, separate container
- Applies to
- Franchisee-serviced residential & commercial
- Commingle option
- Food waste + yard trimmings allowed
- Disposal ban
- No landfill delivery of food material
Summary
San Diego requires weekly separate-container collection of food material and food-soiled paper at residential and commercial facilities served by a franchise hauler, under the city's Recycling Ordinance.
weekly collection in a separate container of food material and food-soiled paper mixed with food material
Full Breakdown
SDMC §66.0706(c)(3) requires residential facilities served by a Franchisee to provide weekly collection, in a separate container, of food material and food-soiled paper mixed with food material. The parallel commercial requirement is §66.0707(c)(3). A facility may instead commingle food material with yard trimmings in one weekly container under §66.0706(c)(4)/(c)(7)(4). Recyclable food material may not be delivered to a landfill for disposal.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply with any Division 7 recycling requirement, including the food-material separation duty, is unlawful under §66.0705's Unlawful Acts clause; the responsible person for the facility bears the compliance duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to every San Diego household?
Can food scraps go in the yard-waste bin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Mandatory Organics Recycling in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle mandatory organics recycling.