News Summary
San Diego residents must choose their trash and recycling bin sizes by Tuesday, as new service fees take effect. The city requires residents to make selections or they’ll receive the largest bins and incur higher fees. With new bins being delivered soon, the city encourages residents to log into the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal to manage their choices. This change follows the repeal of the ‘People’s Ordinance,’ shifting waste management to a fee-based system for residential properties.
San Diego residents have until Tuesday to select their trash and recycling bin sizes as new service fees are implemented for waste management. This deadline marks the final opportunity for residents to establish customer accounts for trash and recycling services, which enforce a significant change in how the city manages waste collection.
Eligible residents can create or log into their accounts on the city’s new Residential Waste Collection Services Portal at wasteportal.sandiego.gov. Following the selections made in the portal, city crews will begin delivering new bins on October 6. Without a selection made by the deadline, residents will automatically receive the largest bins (95-gallon) at the highest monthly fee of $43.60.
Residents wishing to change their service level after the bins are delivered have 30 days to make adjustments, with smaller bin options available for $38.94 for a 65-gallon bin and $32.82 for a 35-gallon bin. Additionally, the new trash bins will be gray, while the recycling bins will feature a lighter blue color. The city plans to recycle old bins once the new ones have been distributed.
So far, over 90,000 eligible property owners have registered on the portal to manage their waste services and fees efficiently. Two separate mailers containing unique codes for accessing the portal were sent out earlier this year, and residents who cannot locate their mailer or code can contact the Environmental Services Department at [email protected].
These changes stem from the passage of Measure B in 2022, which repealed the longstanding “People’s Ordinance” for trash collection. This measure allows the city to charge monthly fees for trash services, impacting single-family homes and multi-family residences with up to four units. Previously, trash collection for single-family homeowners was provided free of charge, a practice that was in place for over a century.
As per the changes, households began being charged monthly fees of $42.76 starting July 1 for 95-gallon bins, which include services for trash, recycling, and organic waste. A cost study revealed that the actual number of households served by the city was significantly lower than anticipated, prompting adjustments to the new fee structure that is expected to generate approximately $140 million annually to help balance city budget deficits.
Additionally, recycling collection will remain on a bi-weekly basis until July 2027, at which point it will transition to a weekly schedule. Community meetings and informational mailers are also planned to help residents understand the new system and fee structure. Property owners, including landlords, will be responsible for collecting the service fees from tenants implemented under the new waste management system.
Ongoing concerns regarding billing practices and clarity about the service changes have been raised by residents. The city advises community members to reach out for any additional information or queries they may have related to their waste services and fees, ensuring that they navigate the adjustment smoothly.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego: San Diego New Trash Bin Selection Deadline
- Wikipedia: Waste Management
- San Diego Union Tribune: Trash Customers Account Setup
- Google Search: San Diego trash collection
- Fox 5 San Diego: Enroll in Trash Service
- Google Scholar: San Diego Trash Collection fees
- CBS 8: San Diego Trash Fees and Property Tax Bills
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Waste Management
- Fox 5 San Diego: Trash Bin and Service Deadline Approaching
- Google News: San Diego Trash Fees
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.
