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 mandates curbside recycling for paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and plastics #1-#5. Residents must separate recyclables from trash using provided bins. Contaminated bins containing food waste, plastic bags, or non-recyclable items may be rejected. California recycling goals encourage diversion from landfills. Multi-family properties above a certain unit count may have additional commercial recycling requirements. Yard waste and food scraps may have separate programs.
Contaminated bins may be tagged and skipped. Repeat contamination: $25 to $100 fine. Failure to recycle where mandatory: warning then fine.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Diego, CA
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San Diego, CA
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San Diego, CA
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San Diego, CA
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San Diego, CA
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San Diego, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle recycling requirements.
See how San Diego's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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