News Summary
San Diego’s new residential trash bins rollout is delayed, leaving residents scrambling to select their preferred bin size. With a significant portion of trash customers not completing the selection process by the deadline, many will automatically receive the largest bin. The phased rollout will affect hundreds of thousands of customers, changing the way the city manages waste collection. This follows recent changes in solid waste pricing as part of a modernization effort.
San Diego’s Trash Bin Rollout Delayed as Residents Face Size Selection Deadline
San Diego’s residential trash system is facing a significant delay in the rollout of new garbage bins that were initially scheduled to begin this week. The delay comes as residents navigate a crucial deadline for selecting their preferred bin size amidst a modernization effort aimed at improving waste collection in the city.
Details of the Delay
The city’s Environmental Services Department has confirmed that the delivery of the new gray trash bins, intended to replace the old black bins, has been postponed. In addition to the gray bins, a lighter blue version of the blue recycling bins is also set to be rolled out in the coming months.
Selection Process and Implications
Last Tuesday marked the deadline for residents to select their preferred bin size, but by that date, fewer than half of San Diego’s 225,000 trash customers had completed the selection process. Residents who fail to make a selection will automatically be assigned the largest bin available, which is a 95-gallon container that incurs a monthly fee of $43.60. However, those individuals can request a different bin size within 30 days of receiving the larger bin.
Online Account Requirement
To manage their bin selection, it is essential for residents to create an online account through the new Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. As of Tuesday morning, only about 98,000 out of 225,000 eligible residents had logged into the system. If residents do not choose a bin size, they will receive the most expensive option without the opportunity to choose a smaller, more economical alternative. Selecting a smaller bin could result in a credit on next year’s tax bill for these residents.
Logistics of the New Bin Rollout
The delivery of the new bins represents a significant logistical task, impacting hundreds of thousands of customers across the city. The phased rollout is set to commence on October 6, with deliveries continuing neighborhood by neighborhood through 2026. The city plans to keep residents informed about what actions to take regarding the old trash bins and will notify them directly about expectations and preparations for the new bins.
Background Context
This update follows the narrow passage of Measure B in 2022, which authorized the city to charge fees for solid waste pickup. Since July 1, homeowners have been charged a fee that ranges from $31.98 to $42.76, depending on the level of service chosen. The previous system, known as “The People’s Ordinance,” mandated free trash pickup for single-family homes and has since been repealed in an effort to create a more equitable distribution of service access and costs among all residents.
San Diego currently collects approximately 300,000 tons of trash and 150,000 tons of recycling and compostables annually. It is noteworthy that about 75% of the existing trash bins have exceeded their 20-year service guarantee. The new bins will include scannable reader tags, which are designed to enhance the efficiency of garbage collection and assist in identifying missed pickups.
Additionally, customers who no longer qualify for city trash collection services will be required to contract with a private waste hauler that has the capacity to serve transitioning customers.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Homeowners Challenge New Trash Fee Implementation in San Diego
San Diego City Council Approves New Solid Waste Management Fee
Taxpayers Challenge San Diego’s New Trash Fee
Grand Jury Report Discovers Mismanagement of Development Impact Fees in San Diego
San Diego Residents Face Challenges with New Waste Collection Portal
Additional Resources
- CBS 8
- NBC San Diego
- Fox 5 San Diego
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Times of San Diego
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego trash bin rollout
- Google Scholar: San Diego trash bin policies
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- Google News: San Diego trash service
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
