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.
The City of San Diego launched curbside organics collection under California SB 1383 in January 2023, expanding its existing greenery program. Single-family households served by city crews receive a green organics cart that takes both yard trimmings and food scraps on a weekly schedule. Acceptable yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, weeds, plant trimmings, prunings, small branches, and untreated wood. Branches must be cut to no more than four feet long and six inches in diameter. Material must be placed loose in the cart, with the lid closed. Plastic bags, treated lumber, sod, dirt, and rocks are prohibited. The greenery is hauled to the Miramar Greenery facility, where it becomes mulch and compost sold back to residents. Christmas trees up to six feet are collected free at the curb during the first two weeks of January if free of flocking, ornaments, and stands.
Contamination tagging may lead to non-collection. Repeated SB 1383 contamination of the green cart can result in administrative penalties of $50 to $500 after notice and inspection.
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