News Summary
San Diego residents must prepare for new trash collection fees as they set up accounts for services by September 30. This change, resulting from the implementation of Measure B, will require residents to choose their service level and bin sizes before a new bin rollout starts on October 6. The monthly solid waste fee is set at $42.76 for a three-bin system. This update aims to improve waste management after many bins became outdated. Legal challenges have arisen regarding compliance with Proposition 218, but the city asserts the fees are necessary for budget sustainability.
San Diego residents are facing new trash collection fees as the deadline to set up customer accounts for trash and recycling services approaches on September 30. This change is part of the city’s implementation of Measure B, which was passed in 2022 and repealed the previous “People’s Ordinance” trash collection model.
Under the new system, residents must select their preferred level of service along with the size of their trash and recycling bins before the deadline. On October 6, city crews will begin delivering new bins, marking a significant shift in the city’s approach to waste management. The solid waste fee, initiated on July 1, is set at $42.76 per month for a three-bin system consisting of one bin each for trash, recycling, and organics.
The implementation of the new fee structure comes as more than 75% of the current bins across the city are over two decades old and have exceeded their intended lifespan. The city will roll out new gray bins for trash and light blue bins for recycling to improve recognition and efficiency. It is also important to note that the city will only collect waste from these new bins once the rollout is complete.
For households that do not qualify for city service, such as some multi-family complexes, residents are required to seek a private hauler. The city is actively coordinating with these haulers to streamline the transition for affected residents. Individuals interested in learning more about their eligibility and service level changes can visit the city’s website.
The recent adjustment to trash fees stems from a revision in the estimates of eligible households. Originally, the city projected 285,000 households would qualify for the service, but the actual number turned out to be 226,495. This discrepancy has resulted in a fee range increase; initial estimates placed the trash fee between $23-$29, but the final range now stands at $31.98-$42.76 in the first year due to delays in service implementation.
San Diego currently manages approximately 300,000 tons of trash and 150,000 tons of recyclables each year. The previous trash collection ordinance was criticized for being inequitable, as only single-family homes were receiving free services while all property taxpayers contributed to the cost. City officials have stated that the new fees are essential to address budget deficits and ensure the sustainability of solid waste services in the future.
To manage the new service, residents are required to create an account where they can track their service and fee history, receive important updates, and manage their bin requirements. To further assist citizens during this transition, the city plans to conduct community meetings and distribute informational mailers designed to clarify how the new system will function.
Despite these efforts, some residents have expressed concerns regarding the clarity of the information provided about the new fees and the overall complexity of the transition. Additionally, issues have arisen for tenants in rental properties, as service fees might be collected through property tax bills, sparking worries among landlords regarding potential impacts on rental costs.
Legal challenges have also been initiated against the new fee, claiming it violates Proposition 218 by exceeding the actual costs of the service. However, the city has maintained that creating a separate billing system would incur excessive costs and that the newly implemented fees comply with solid waste management requirements. City officials anticipate that the new trash fee structure will generate approximately $140 million annually, providing necessary funding for the city’s waste management needs.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego: Time Running Out for Homeowners to Sign Up for New City Trash Recycling Service
- Wikipedia: Main Page
- CBS8: San Diego City Council Approves Adding Trash Fees to Property Tax Bills
- Google Search: San Diego trash fees
- Fox 5 San Diego: San Diego’s New Trash Fee – Pick Your Bin Size
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Main Page
- CBS8: Homeowners Suing City of San Diego Over New Trash Fee
- 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.
