News Summary
Residents in San Diego must arrange their trash and recycling services by September 30, following an ordinance that ended free trash service for certain properties. With less than half of eligible households securing new providers, the city is set to issue bins and prepare for a fee-based system starting soon. Temporary solutions may be necessary as cost concerns and registration issues persist among homeowners. The city is urging residents to select their preferred bin sizes to avoid receiving more expensive options by default as the transition unfolds.
San Diego residents are facing a crucial deadline as they must arrange their trash and recycling services by September 30, 2023. This change comes as a result of a newly enacted ordinance that ended free trash service for single-family homes and certain multi-residential properties, transitioning to a fee-based system that began on July 1, 2023.
Under the new regulations, homeowners are now required to pay $42.76 per month for a service that includes three 95-gallon bins for trash, recycling, and organics. With less than a month remaining, there is concern about the staggering number of homeowners who have yet to secure new service from private haulers. Reports indicate that fewer than half of the approximately 20,000 households that were declared ineligible for city-sponsored waste collection have arranged for alternative services.
As the city prepares to deliver new bins starting October 6, 2023, customers who do not register to select their preferred bin size will receive the largest and most expensive containers by default. The previous deadline for residents to pursue private hauling services was September 1, 2023; however, more than 10,000 households did not meet this deadline, leaving them without a secured trash disposal plan.
To mitigate the issue, the city has allocated millions towards temporary trash services for those who have not transitioned, estimating costs could exceed $5 million beyond the deadline. Furthermore, new regulations now allow private haulers to avoid penalties for low recycling rates, provided they participate in educational outreach aimed at improving recycling compliance.
Property owners are exploring various options to reduce their costs, including switching from individual bins to larger dumpsters, opting out of organic recycling pickups, or collaborating with neighboring properties to streamline services. Of the 225,000 homes eligible for city trash service, less than 25% have registered online to choose their bin sizes and establish accounts.
City officials are aware of the significant number of property owners—around 170,000—who have yet to register online and are working on strategies to inform them of the required actions. Door hangers will be distributed to renters and property owners to ensure awareness about the need to select their bins. The transition process has already caused confusion for some, with new service rates averaging between $47.47 to $81 per unit from different haulers.
In efforts to support low-income residents, city officials are currently deliberating on a subsidy plan backed by a $3 million fund. This plan will provide varying levels of financial assistance, aimed at helping those who may struggle with the new costs. The city’s Environmental Services Department underscores the importance of property owners collaborating with trash brokers to secure better service options.
The recent changes follow the approval of Measure B, which aimed to eliminate the previous inequitable system of exclusively free trash service for single-family homes. The People’s Ordinance, which established this outdated garbage collection policy, is now considered no longer suitable in contemporary society. The goal of the ordinance is to create a fair and equitable fee structure for all residents.
Currently, the city’s trash operations manage the collection of approximately 300,000 tons of waste and 150,000 tons of recycling each year. The new bins will feature a color-coded system for clearer identification and enhanced efficiency in collection routes. Furthermore, all existing 20-year-old bins will be recycled following the distribution of new containers.
Overall, as the deadline approaches, residents and property owners are urged to navigate this significant transition to avoid disruption in their trash services and to secure fair and affordable waste management solutions.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8: San Diego Residents Urged to Set Up Trash Accounts Before Sept 30
- Wikipedia: Waste Management
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Chaotic Trash Rules
- Google Search: San Diego Trash Collection
- NBC San Diego: Property Owners Scramble for Transition
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Solid Waste Management
- Fox 5 San Diego: City of Tijuana Trash Trucks
- Google News: San Diego Trash Service Changes
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.
