San Diego Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Organics 2026

Everything San Diego residents need to know about City collection in 2026 — your weekly trash and organics day, every-other-week recycling, the Measure B new bin rollout, 5 holidays with one-day delays, free bulky item pickup, the Miramar HHW facility, and the Get It Done address lookup tool.

City of San Diego · Environmental Services Department (ESD) · Updated March 2026 · Measure B new bin rollout ongoing through summer 2026

⭐ Collection Day Finder

Find Your San Diego Collection Day

San Diego collection days vary by address. Your recycling week (Week A or Week B) also depends on your address. Use the selector below for a quick summary by area, then confirm your exact day and recycling week using the City’s official Get It Done Collection Map Lookup — the most precise tool available.

👈 Select your area above for general schedule info — then use Get It Done for your exact day and recycling week.

⚠ For your exact trash day and recycling week, use the official Get It Done Collection Map Lookup: getitdone.sandiego.gov/CollectionMapLookup. Enter your address or tap your current location to see your personalized schedule and download your calendar.  See all official links ↓

At a Glance

San Diego Waste Collection — Quick Facts

The City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department (ESD) provides residential collection to approximately 226,500 eligible households — primarily 1–4 unit properties on public streets. San Diego runs a three-bin curbside system: a gray bin for trash, a blue bin for mixed recycling, and a green bin for organics. All bins are City-provided. 2026 is a landmark year: following voter-approved Measure B (2022), the City launched a new monthly solid waste fee in July 2025 and is rolling out brand-new RFID-chipped bins to all customers through summer 2026.

🗑
Garbage
Weekly
Gray bin • Mon–Fri by address
♻
Recycling
Every other week
Blue bin • Week A or Week B
🌿
Organics
Weekly
Green bin • Mandatory SB 1383
📦
Bulky Items
Free, 2×/year
Up to 6 items • Get It Done app
⏰
Set-Out Time
By 6:00 a.m.
Bring back by 6:00 p.m. same day
📌
Holidays
5 — one-day delay
Domino rule shifts rest of week
⚠ San Diego is mid-rollout of new bins in 2026. Following Measure B and the new Solid Waste Management Fee (effective July 1, 2025), the City is replacing all gray trash bins and blue recycling bins with new RFID-chipped containers. Gray bins began delivery in October 2025; new light-blue recycling bins continue through summer 2026. Until your new bin arrives, the City continues collecting from your existing containers. If you have not yet received your new bin, check your delivery date at sandiego.gov/trash.
🔗 Related Guide Want to understand how US trash collection works? Read: How Trash Collection Works in the US (Schedules, Times & Rules)
Three Streams

San Diego’s Three Collection Streams — Trash, Recycling & Organics

San Diego operates a three-bin curbside system for all eligible residential households. Each bin has a distinct color, specific accepted materials, and its own collection frequency. All three bins are collected on the same assigned weekday for your address.

🗑

Garbage (Gray Bin)

All household waste not recyclable or compostable. Collected weekly. All loose refuse must be bagged or wrapped inside the bin. Available in 35-, 65-, or 95-gallon sizes; fee is based on the size you select. New gray bins rolling out through spring 2026.

Weekly • New gray bin (Measure B rollout)
♻

Mixed Recycling (Blue Bin)

All recyclables in one bin — no sorting. Collected every other week on a Week A / Week B alternating schedule. Items must be dry and loose — no plastic bags. New light-blue bins rolling out through summer 2026.

Every other week • Week A or B
🌿

Organics (Green Bin)

Food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste. Mandatory under California SB 1383. Collected weekly on the same day as garbage. Do not line the bin with plastic bags, even compostable ones. A paper bag or newspaper wrap is recommended for food scraps.

Weekly • Mandatory statewide
🔗 Related Guide See how US cities compare on trash and recycling: Trash and Recycling Guide in the US (Rules, Bins & Recycling Explained 2026)
Measure B — 2026 Critical Update

Measure B & the New San Diego Bin Rollout — What You Need to Know

San Diego is in the middle of its biggest waste management overhaul in over a century. For 106 years, the City provided trash pickup to single-family homeowners at no direct charge (funded through the general fund). In 2022, voters approved Measure B, which allowed the City to begin charging a fee. Starting July 1, 2025, the new Solid Waste Management Fee went into effect, and the City launched an entirely new bin system with RFID chips, a customer portal, and tiered pricing based on bin size.

📅 Key Measure B Timeline — 2025 to 2027

  • July 1, 2025: New Solid Waste Management Fee takes effect for ~226,500 customers. Fee is collected via the annual San Diego County property tax bill. FY 2026 base fee: $523.20/year ($43.60/month) for a 95-gallon trash bin bundle (includes recycling and organics).
  • October 2025: City begins delivering new gray trash bins to replace old black bins. New bins include RFID chips that log each pickup and help identify missed collections.
  • Spring–Summer 2026: New light-blue recycling bins delivered. Old dark-blue recycling bins removed. Until your new bin arrives, the City continues collecting from your existing container.
  • July 1, 2026: Fee increases scheduled (exact amount to be confirmed by City Council). Residents can manage bin sizes through the Waste Portal to adjust their rate.
  • July 2027: Recycling collection frequency increases from biweekly to weekly. New curbside bulky item pickup program launches. These are the most significant future service improvements.
🗒

Gray Bin — Garbage

New RFID-chipped gray bin. Available in 35-, 65-, or 95-gallon. Fee varies by size. All trash must be bagged inside. Replacing old black bins through spring 2026.

♻

Light-Blue Bin — Recycling

New lighter-blue recycling bin (replacing old dark-blue bins). Available in 35-, 65-, or 95-gallon. Items must be loose — no bags. Rolling out summer 2026.

🌿

Green Bin — Organics

Green organics bin provided to 200,000+ households in 2023. No new green bins in current rollout unless you don’t have one or request an additional bin.

💵 FY 2026 Fee Structure — Bin Size Options

  • 35-gallon trash bin bundle: Lower monthly rate (credit applied vs. 95-gal rate — confirm exact amount at fee calculator). Good for single occupants or low-waste households.
  • 65-gallon trash bin bundle: Mid-range monthly rate. Most common for 2-person households.
  • 95-gallon trash bin bundle: Base rate — $523.20/year ($43.60/month) for FY 2026 (Jul 1, 2025–Jun 30, 2026). Default if no selection was made. Includes one recycling and one organics bin.
  • Fee is billed via the San Diego County property tax roll — you will see “SD Solid Waste Mgmt Fee” on your tax bill. Two equal installments: Dec 10, 2025 and Apr 10, 2026.
  • Additional bins are available for an additional monthly charge. Manage your bins at wasteportal.sandiego.gov.
  • Fee assistance: Homeowners enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or LIHEAP may qualify for up to 50–100% fee waiver. Apply via ESD fee assistance program.
⚠ Who is eligible for City service? City trash service is provided to 1–4 unit residential properties on public streets. Properties with 5+ units or on private streets are required to contract with a private hauler. If you are unsure whether your property is eligible, check at sandiego.gov/trash or call ESD at 858-694-7000.
Set-Out Times & Rules

San Diego Set-Out Rules — By 6:00 a.m., Back by 6:00 p.m.

The City of San Diego requires all bins to be at the curb or alleyway by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Collection runs between 6:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. You may place bins out after 6:00 p.m. the evening before collection if preferred. Bins must be returned by 6:00 p.m. on collection day.

⏰ Official Set-Out Requirements

  • Bins must be at the curb or alleyway by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
  • You may place bins out after 6:00 p.m. the previous evening if that is more convenient.
  • Bring bins back in by 6:00 p.m. on collection day. The City actively enforces this — citations can be issued for bins left out beyond collection hours. Report a neighbor’s bin left out via Get It Done.
  • Leave at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides of each bin — between bins and from parked cars, mailboxes, fire hydrants, poles, and other obstacles.
  • Position bins with wheels toward the curb, handles toward your house.
  • Do not place bins under overhanging tree branches or power lines — the automated truck arms require clear overhead access.
  • All trash must be bagged or wrapped inside the gray bin to prevent litter. Items placed beside or on top of bins will not be collected.
  • Only what is inside the bin with the lid fully closed is collected.
⚠ Bins left curbside after 6:00 p.m. can be cited. Unlike cities where bins are left out overnight, San Diego requires prompt retrieval after collection. If you are away on your collection day, ask a neighbor to bring your bins in. The City’s Get It Done app allows anyone to report containers left out beyond collection hours.
Holiday Schedule

San Diego Holiday Collection Schedule 2026 — 5 Holidays, Domino Delay Rule

The City of San Diego observes 5 holidays for trash collection purposes in 2026. On each holiday, there is no collection of trash, recycling, or organics. Starting on the holiday, collection shifts one day later for the remainder of that week — the “domino rule.” Friday customers shift to Saturday.

📌 How the Domino Rule Works

If the holiday falls on a Tuesday: Tuesday’s collection moves to Wednesday; Wednesday’s moves to Thursday; Thursday’s moves to Friday; Friday’s moves to Saturday. Monday customers are unaffected if the holiday is Tuesday or later. The shift applies to all three bins — trash, recycling, and organics.

Holiday2026 DateCollection ImpactWho Is Affected
New Year’s DayThu, Jan 1One-day delayThu customers collect Fri, Jan 2. Fri customers collect Sat, Jan 3. Mon–Wed unaffected.
Memorial DayMon, May 25One-day delayMon customers collect Tue, May 26. Tue collects Wed. Wed collects Thu. Thu collects Fri. Fri collects Sat.
Labor DayMon, Sep 7One-day delayMon customers collect Tue, Sep 8. All subsequent days shift through Saturday.
Thanksgiving DayThu, Nov 26One-day delayThu customers collect Fri, Nov 27. Fri customers collect Sat, Nov 28. Mon–Wed unaffected.
Christmas DayFri, Dec 25One-day delayFri customers collect Sat, Dec 26. Mon–Thu unaffected.
💡 San Diego observes only 5 holidays — far fewer than most large U.S. cities. Note that Presidents’ Day, Independence Day, Veterans’ Day, and other federal or state holidays are not observed by San Diego ESD for collection purposes. The City confirmed on its official holiday page that Presidents’ Day 2026 (Feb 16) had normal collection. Always verify via the Get It Done app or sandiego.gov/environmental-services before a holiday to confirm current-year status.
🔗 Related Guide Holiday collection delays compared across the US: Holiday Trash Pickup in the US (Schedule Changes & Delays Explained)
Recycling

San Diego Recycling — Week A & Week B, Mixed Single-Stream

San Diego uses a mixed single-stream recycling program: all recyclables go together in the blue bin, no sorting required. Recycling is collected every other week on the same weekday as your trash and organics. The City alternates between Week A and Week B to stagger routes. Your address is permanently assigned to one week. Find your week using the Get It Done Collection Map Lookup, which also allows you to download your personal calendar.

✅ Accepted in the Blue Bin

  • Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper
  • Cardboard (flattened) and paperboard
  • Paper bags and phone books
  • Metal cans: aluminum, steel, empty aerosol cans
  • Glass bottles and jars (all colors)
  • Plastic containers: bottles, jugs, tubs (#1–7)
  • Cartons: milk, juice, broth cartons
  • All items dry, empty, and loose — no bags

🚫 Never in the Blue Bin

  • Plastic bags or film → grocery store drop-off
  • Styrofoam → Miramar HHW facility
  • Food or liquids — rinse all containers
  • Electronics (TVs, computers, phones) → Miramar HHW
  • Batteries of any type → Miramar HHW (fire hazard — printed warning on new bins)
  • Garden hoses, cords, chains — tanglers jam sorting equipment
  • Hazardous materials of any kind
⚠ Batteries and electronics in recycling bins cause fires. The City has added explicit safety warnings to its new blue bins: never place batteries (especially lithium-ion) or electronics in any bin. These items can ignite fires inside collection trucks and at sorting facilities. Always take them to the Miramar HHW facility or a certified drop-off.
🔗 Related Guide Learn the most common recycling mistakes and how to avoid them: How to Recycle Properly in the US (Rules, Bins & Common Mistakes)
Mandatory Organics — SB 1383

San Diego Mandatory Organics Recycling — SB 1383 Green Bin

California’s Senate Bill 1383 requires all San Diego residents to separate food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste from garbage and place them in the green organics bin. This has been mandatory statewide since January 1, 2022. The City provided green bins to more than 200,000 households in 2023. If you do not have a green bin, contact ESD at 858-694-7000 or through the Waste Portal.

🌿 Organics recycling is mandatory under California state law. Food scraps are no longer acceptable in the gray garbage bin. The City’s official guidance: do not place food scraps in plastic bags inside the green bin — even bags labeled “compostable.” Instead, use a paper bag or newspaper wrap for food scraps, or layer them with yard waste. This keeps the bin cleaner and prevents odors.

✅ Goes in the Green Bin

  • All food scraps: fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, shells, dairy, cooked and raw food, expired food
  • Food-soiled paper: pizza boxes, paper napkins, paper towels, paper plates and cups, coffee filters, paper bags with food residue
  • Yard and garden waste: grass clippings, leaves, branches, flowers, weeds, garden trimmings
  • Christmas trees (January seasonal collection)

🚫 Never in the Green Bin

  • Plastic bags — even if labeled compostable or biodegradable
  • Pet waste, kitty litter, or animal droppings
  • Medical waste, diapers, personal hygiene items
  • Styrofoam or foam of any kind
  • Clean paper or cardboard → blue recycling bin
  • Metal, glass, plastic, or cartons → blue recycling bin
  • Hazardous materials of any kind
💡 Keep the green bin clean. Layer food scraps with yard waste when possible — this reduces odors and prevents scraps from sticking to the bottom of the bin. If you don’t have yard waste, wrap food scraps in a sheet of newspaper or a small paper bag before placing them in the bin. Rinse the bin periodically to prevent buildup.
Bulky Items

San Diego Bulky Item Pickup — Free, Twice Per Year, via Get It Done

The City of San Diego provides free bulky item pickup twice per year for residential customers, with up to 6 items per pickup. This is a scheduled service — you must request it in advance. Bulky items are placed at the curb on your scheduled collection day. Request via the Get It Done app, the Get It Done website, or by calling ESD at 858-694-7000.

📌 How to Request a Bulky Item Pickup

  • Open the Get It Done app (free iOS & Android) or go to getitdone.sandiego.gov.
  • Select “Trash, Recycling & Organics” → “Bulky Item Pickup Request.”
  • Describe the items you need collected. You may request up to 6 items per appointment.
  • The City will schedule collection on or near your regular trash day.
  • Place items at the curb on the scheduled collection day. Items should be accessible from the street.
  • You are entitled to 2 free bulky pickup appointments per year. Additional pickups may be requested but may incur a fee.

✅ Accepted for Bulky Pickup

  • Household furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, dressers, bed frames)
  • Mattresses and box springs
  • Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers)
  • Rugs and carpeting
  • Large household items that don’t fit in the gray bin
  • Up to 6 items per appointment

🚫 Not Accepted for Bulky Pickup

  • Construction or demolition debris
  • Hazardous materials → Miramar HHW facility
  • Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors) → Miramar HHW or retailer take-back
  • Tires → Miramar or tire retailers
  • Items not accessible from street or curb
  • Commercial or contractor-generated waste
💡 Community Cleanup events. In addition to the household bulky pickup program, the City of San Diego ESD periodically organizes Community Cleanup events in specific neighborhoods where residents can drop off additional bulk waste at a central location. Check the ESD website or Get It Done app for upcoming Community Cleanup events near your neighborhood.
🔗 Related Guide How bulk trash pickup works across the US: Bulk Trash Pickup in the US (Rules, Scheduling & What’s Accepted)
Special Waste

Special Waste — Miramar HHW Facility & Electronics

San Diego City residents have access to the Miramar Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility, located at the entrance to Miramar Landfill. The facility accepts a wide range of hazardous materials and electronics free of charge for City residents. As of recent years, the Miramar HHW facility is appointment-only on its regular Saturday hours.

⚡ Miramar HHW Transfer Facility — Location & Hours

Address: 5161 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111 (at Miramar Landfill entrance, north of State Route 52)  •  Phone: 858-694-7000

Hours: Saturdays 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.  •  Closed holidays.

⚠ APPOINTMENT REQUIRED. Schedule your HHW appointment in advance via the ESD hazardous waste page or by calling 858-694-7000. Walk-ins are generally not accepted. Free for San Diego City residents with proof of residency.

  • Limit per visit: 15 gallons of liquid HHW and 125 pounds total.
  • Accepted: oil-based paints, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, batteries (all types), electronics.
  • Latex paint is NOT hazardous and does not go to the HHW facility. Dry it out (remove lid and let harden, or mix in cat litter) and dispose in your gray trash bin.

📅 Mobile HHW Collection Events

In addition to the Miramar facility, San Diego ESD hosts mobile HHW collection events at various neighborhood locations throughout the year. These events accept the same materials as Miramar and are free for City residents. A recurring event location is Balboa Park, Inspiration Parking Lot (corner of Park Blvd. & Presidents Way). Check the current event calendar at sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/hazardous for upcoming 2026 dates and locations.

📷 Electronics Recycling

Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, cell phones, printers, video game consoles) are accepted at the Miramar HHW facility (appointment required) and at mobile events. Major retailers including Best Buy and Apple also offer in-store take-back programs for electronics regardless of where they were purchased. California’s e-Waste program provides a full list of certified collectors at CalRecycle electronics recycling.

♻ Miramar Landfill & Greenery — Self-Haul

Address: 5180 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111  •  The Miramar Landfill, Greenery (yard waste drop-off), Recycling Center, and Mattress Collection Site accept self-haul loads for a fee. Hours: Monday–Friday 6:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Saturday 6:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Open on most holidays including Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (confirm current holiday schedule at sandiego.gov/environmental-services/miramar).

Missed Pickup

What to Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Collected in San Diego

  1. Wait until the end of the service day. Collection runs from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Do not report a missed pickup until after your service window has fully closed. If bins are not collected by end of day, proceed to step 2.
  2. Confirm your exact collection day and recycling week via Get It Done. Enter your address at getitdone.sandiego.gov/CollectionMapLookup to verify your designated weekday and recycling week (A or B). Some routes have been updated during the new bin rollout period.
  3. Check that your bin was accessible. Bins must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m., with at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides, lid fully closed, and no obstruction overhead. If a parked car blocked the truck’s access, that is likely the reason.
  4. For recycling misses, confirm your Week A or B. If it was not your recycling week, the blue bin will not be collected. Verify your week in the Get It Done lookup tool.
  5. Check for a holiday delay. San Diego observes 5 holidays. If your day fell on or after a holiday that week, the domino delay rule shifted your collection day by one day. Confirm via the City’s holiday schedule.
  6. Report via Get It Done within 24 hours. Use the Get It Done app (iOS & Android) or getitdone.sandiego.gov to submit a missed pickup report. Or call 858-694-7000 Monday–Friday 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Reporting within 24 hours is recommended for same-week makeup service.
Local Tips

San Diego Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know

🏠 New to San Diego or Just Moved In?

First thing to do: enter your address in the Get It Done Collection Map Lookup (getitdone.sandiego.gov/CollectionMapLookup) to find your exact weekday and recycling week (A or B). Download your personal calendar from the tool. Create an account on the Waste Portal (wasteportal.sandiego.gov) to manage your bin sizes, track your fee history, and receive text or email alerts. If you are in a 5+ unit building or on a private street, you are not eligible for City service — contact a private hauler.

🚫 5 Mistakes San Diego Residents Make

  • Leaving bins out after 6:00 p.m. on collection day — the City enforces this and it can be cited
  • Not knowing their recycling week (A or B) and missing recycling weeks or putting the bin out on wrong weeks
  • Placing plastic bags (including “compostable” bags) in the green organics bin — no plastic bags allowed
  • Placing batteries or electronics in any bin — these cause fires in trucks and sorting facilities; take them to Miramar HHW
  • Thinking Presidents’ Day, Independence Day, or Veterans’ Day cause collection delays — San Diego only observes 5 specific holidays for ESD purposes

💵 New Fee — What San Diego Residents Should Know

For over a century, San Diego was one of the only large U.S. cities that provided trash pickup to single-family homeowners at no direct charge (funded via the general fund and property taxes). Measure B changed that in 2022. Since July 1, 2025, you will see “SD Solid Waste Mgmt Fee” as a line item on your San Diego County property tax bill. The FY 2026 base fee is $523.20/year for the 95-gallon bundle. If you selected a smaller bin via the portal, your rate is adjusted. Fee assistance is available for qualifying low-income homeowners. Manage everything at wasteportal.sandiego.gov.

Contact

Contact ESD & Get It Done

ContactDetails
ESD Customer Service858-694-7000 · Monday–Friday 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. · Missed pickups, bin issues, HHW appointments, schedule questions, fee disputes
Get It Done App & Webgetitdone.sandiego.gov · Free iOS & Android app — report missed collections, request bulky pickup, confirm collection schedule, submit service requests
Collection Map Lookupgetitdone.sandiego.gov/CollectionMapLookup — enter address for exact trash day, recycling week A/B, and personalized downloadable calendar
Waste Collection Services Portalwasteportal.sandiego.gov — manage bin sizes, view service and fee history, subscribe to alerts, check new bin delivery date
Collection Schedules (Official)sandiego.gov/environmental-services/collection/schedule — official 2026 holiday schedule, bin rules, collection frequency
Trash Service Updates (Measure B)sandiego.gov/trash — new bin rollout status, fee calculator, eligibility check, FAQ
Miramar HHW Facility5161 Convoy Street (at Miramar Landfill entrance) · Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m. · Appointment required: sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/hazardous · Free for City residents · 15-gal / 125-lb limit
Miramar Landfill & Self-Haul5180 Convoy Street · Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat 6 a.m.–3 p.m. · sandiego.gov/environmental-services/miramar
ESD Emailsdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov — general recycling and service questions
Fee Assistance Programsandiego.gov/trash — FAQ — up to 50–100% fee waiver for qualifying homeowners on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or LIHEAP
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions — San Diego Trash Pickup

San Diego does not have a single citywide trash day. Your specific collection day depends on your address and route. Garbage and organics are collected weekly Monday through Friday. To find your exact day, enter your address in the Get It Done Collection Map Lookup at getitdone.sandiego.gov/CollectionMapLookup. The tool also shows your recycling week (A or B) and allows you to download a personalized calendar.
Use the official Get It Done Collection Map Lookup at getitdone.sandiego.gov/CollectionMapLookup. Enter your address or tap your current location on mobile. The tool shows your exact trash day, recycling week (A or B), and organics day, and you can download or print your personal calendar. You can also call ESD at 858-694-7000, Monday–Friday 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Yes. The City provides curbside single-stream recycling in a blue bin every other week on the same day as your trash and organics. All recyclables — paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles, and plastic containers — go in one bin, no sorting required. Items must be dry, empty, and loose — no plastic bags. Confirm your recycling week (A or B) via the Get It Done Collection Map Lookup. Starting July 2027, recycling will increase to weekly collection.
San Diego divides recycling routes into two alternating groups: Week A and Week B. Your address is permanently assigned to one group, and your blue bin is only collected on your designated weeks. The pattern does not follow a simple calendar rule — it is specific to your route. The most reliable way to find your group and see which specific weeks you have recycling in 2026 is to enter your address in the Get It Done Collection Map Lookup and download your personal calendar.
San Diego ESD observes only 5 holidays in 2026: New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Memorial Day (May 25), Labor Day (Sep 7), Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26), and Christmas Day (Dec 25). On each holiday, no collection runs. Starting on the holiday, trash shifts one day later for the rest of that week (the “domino rule”). Importantly, Presidents’ Day, Independence Day, Veterans’ Day, and other federal holidays are NOT observed by ESD — collection runs as normal on those days.
Bins must be at the curb or alleyway by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. You may set them out after 6:00 p.m. the evening before if preferred. Bring bins back inside by 6:00 p.m. on collection day — the City enforces this and citations can be issued for bins left out overnight. Leave at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides of each bin, with wheels toward the curb, handles toward the house, and no obstructions overhead.
Yes. California SB 1383 requires all San Diego residents to separate food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste from garbage and place them in the green organics bin. This has been mandatory since January 1, 2022. Do not place food scraps in plastic bags inside the green bin — even compostable bags are not accepted. Use a paper bag or newspaper wrap instead. The City provided green bins to 200,000+ households in 2023; if you don’t have one, contact ESD at 858-694-7000.
The City provides free bulky item pickup twice per year, up to 6 items per appointment. Request through the Get It Done app or website (getitdone.sandiego.gov) under “Bulky Item Pickup Request,” or call 858-694-7000. Items are placed at the curb on or near your regular trash day. Electronics cannot go with bulky pickup — take them to the Miramar HHW facility. Construction debris and hazardous materials are not accepted. For larger cleanouts, use the Miramar Landfill self-haul service (5180 Convoy Street).
The Miramar HHW Transfer Facility at 5161 Convoy Street accepts both electronics and household hazardous waste free for City residents. Hours: Saturdays 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Appointment required — schedule at sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/hazardous or call 858-694-7000. Limit: 15 gallons / 125 pounds per visit. Mobile HHW events are also held throughout the year at neighborhood locations including Balboa Park. Major retailers (Best Buy, Apple) also accept electronics for recycling.
Measure B was a voter-approved initiative in 2022 that ended San Diego’s 106-year practice of providing free trash pickup to single-family homeowners. Starting July 1, 2025, the City charges a Solid Waste Management Fee collected via your annual property tax bill. FY 2026 base fee: $523.20/year for the 95-gallon bundle. The fee funds new RFID-chipped bins (rolling out through summer 2026), broken bin replacements at no extra charge, and future service improvements including weekly recycling (starting July 2027). Manage your service at wasteportal.sandiego.gov. Fee assistance is available for qualifying low-income homeowners.
Official Source

Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?

The City of San Diego’s Get It Done Collection Map Lookup is the only reliable way to confirm your specific trash day and recycling week. No external guide can replace an address-specific lookup because San Diego routes vary by neighborhood and recycling weeks alternate throughout the year.

🔍 Official San Diego Collection Lookup & Key Links

All of the following are free and will confirm your exact schedule and service details:

🔍 Find My San Diego Collection Day 📞 Call ESD — 858-694-7000
Get It Done Collection Lookupgetitdone.sandiego.gov/CollectionMapLookup — enter address for exact trash day, recycling week A/B, and downloadable personal calendar. Most accurate tool available.
Get It Done AppFree iOS & Android — collection lookup, missed pickup reports, bulky item requests, service alerts. Search “Get It Done San Diego” in app stores.
Official Collection Schedulessandiego.gov/environmental-services/collection/schedule — official 2026 holiday list, bin rules, set-out times.
Trash Service Updates (Measure B)sandiego.gov/trash — new bin rollout status, eligibility check, FAQ, fee calculator.
Waste Collection Services Portalwasteportal.sandiego.gov — manage bin sizes, fee history, new bin delivery date, text/email alerts.
Miramar HHW (Appointment Required)sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/hazardous — 5161 Convoy Street · Sat 9 a.m.–3 p.m. · Free for City residents · Schedule appointment online or call 858-694-7000.
Miramar Landfill Self-Haulsandiego.gov/environmental-services/miramar — 5180 Convoy Street · Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat 6 a.m.–3 p.m. · Self-haul trash, yard waste, recycling for a fee.

You will leave this website when using any of the links above.

Nearby Cities

Trash & Recycling Schedules for Cities Near San Diego

Looking for waste collection information in another California or nearby city? Here are cities we’ve already covered:

🏭 Los Angeles 🏭 Sacramento 🏭 San Jose 🏭 Fresno 🏭 Phoenix